AIPC has announced the names of the 14 successful applicants for its 2025 AIPC Future Shapers programme, which commences next month. The list of candidates includes two South Africans (see below).
AIPC Future Shapers is a seven-month accelerated leadership course that is aimed at propelling the industryβs developing leaders to the next level in their careers. Through a series of masterclasses, ideation and business case development skills, the programme gives candidates the opportunity to promote their solutions to challenges currently faced by convention centre managers.
AIPC Chairman, Greg OβDell said this yearβs participants were in for another blockbuster programme that would bolster the industry and its members.
βNow in its fourth year, AIPCβs Future Shapers delivers a winning formula for preparing high achievers toΒ grow their skills, build resilience and help shape the future of our industry.
βI know this yearβs students will again embrace the programme and impress venue management leaders across the globe and I canβt wait to see what they deliver on stage during the 2025 AIPC Conference at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center next June,β said OβDell.
AIPC CEO, Sven Bossu said he was looking forward to supporting the next generation of CEOs to think and act like leaders over the seven-month course.
βAIPC Future Shapers is an interactive roadmap towards excellence in convention centre management, requiring intense commitment and engagement of the participants, and in return, the candidates not only accelerate their leadership capabilities, they build a new global network of peers while being provided the opportunity to help shape the future of the AIPC Community.
βEach year we see benefits that continue to evolve into legacy solutions. Projects to improve client communication, streamline venue operations and enhance industry knowledge sharing and education are all at varying stages of implementation and we look forward to curating new outcomes with the yearβs diverse and experienced cohort,β Bossu said.
The 14 candidates, their venues and roles are:
| Name | Function | Venue | Country |
| Ariane Hiltebrand | Director of Sales & Marketing | Miami Beach Convention Center | USA |
| Barbara BΓ©kΓ©si | Marketing Manager β Hosted events | HUNGEXPO | Hungary |
| Benjamin Boudaud | Culinary Services Director | Cairns Convention Centre | Australia |
| Dave Young | Head of Production | ICC Belfast | Ireland |
| Giorgio Arbisi | Event Services Manager | Massachusetts Convention Center | USA |
| Hannah France | Manager, Research and Strategic Initiatives | Calgary Stampede | Canada |
| Isra Al Rahbi | Events Planner | Oman CEC | Oman |
| Nalinie Rajah | Assistant Manager, PR & Comms | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre | Malaysia |
| Nosipho Dinwa | Training and Development Manager | Cape Town ICC | South Africa |
| Rita Ran | Junior Manager, Research and Strategic Initiatives | Shenzhen World | China |
| Simon Kong | Senior AV Project Manager | Te Pae | New Zealand |
| Sondie Qamata | Banqueting and Back of House Manager | Cape Town ICC | South Africa |
| Travis Henry | Senior Manager AV Production Services | ICC Sydney | Australia |
| Lugdivine Dumont | International Sales Manager | Viparis | France |
The Future Shapers programme comprises three main components:
Stage One – Masterclasses: Five expert-led masterclasses for education and collaboration.
Stage Two – Industry Challenge: small groups will collectively identify an industry challenge, create a proposed solution, and develop a business case for investment, which will be detailed in a white paper and published to the AIPC community.
Stage 3 – Challenge Presentation: following a two-day on-site masterclass on refining the project and its pitch, groups will present their ideas to an audience of global leaders during the AIPC Annual Conference at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Conference Center, which takes place June 22-25, 2025.
Image caption: The Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center, the host venue for the 2025 AIPC Conference taking place in June next year. Image via AIPC.
Read more: AIPC CEO Sven Bossu and the Future Shapers programme are global award finalists
