The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) represents the international association meetings industry. This year ICCA is hosting its 59th Congress, which will take place from 02 – 03 November 2020 in a new format: participants can attend in the host destination, Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan, or at one of seven regional hubs, or virtually.
In this new format, ICCA will demonstrate “how world-class face-to-face events can thrive in our new normal” while accommodating 800 attendees, 40 speakers, 30 sessions and 80 global associations.
Cape Town was awarded the bid to host one of the regional hubs, thanks to the successful bidding of South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB) and the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau (Wesgro). The other hubs will be in Kuching, Latin America, Luxembourg, Malaga, North America, and Riyadh.
In this new format, ICCA will demonstrate “how world-class face-to-face events can thrive in our new normal” while accommodating 800 attendees, 40 speakers, 30 sessions and 80 global associations. All host hubs will observe the COVID-19 protocol and precautions as per guidelines in each destination.
“With the recent Proof of Concept Conference, the business tourism sector successfully demonstrated how the industry is well equipped to continue business in a safe and responsible manner. We look forward to demonstrating from touch down, to conference, to take off, how prepared the industry and greater value chain is to resume business.”
The Chief Executive Officer of ICCA, Senthil Gopinath said, “This years’ Congress is the first hybrid experience that ICCA will host and we’re excited to be able to offer delegates the opportunity to join from a regional hub. The South Africa National Convention Bureau and the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau, after submitting a combined bid, was selected as our regional hub hosts in Africa because of their commitment and dedication, and we trust that they will support us in providing an excellent programme and experience for our delegates in this region.”
Chief Executive Officer of Wesgro, Tim Harris, said, “The safe re-opening of air connectivity to international corporate and leisure travel is key on our agenda, and we hope to welcome all delegates from around Africa safely to the Mother City in November. With the recent Proof of Concept Conference, the business tourism sector successfully demonstrated how the industry is well equipped to continue business in a safe and responsible manner. We look forward to demonstrating from touch down, to conference, to take off, how prepared the industry and greater value chain is to resume business.”
“We must kick start international tourism as the country gears up to open its boarders again for international travel in 2021.”
Ms Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Chief Convention Bureau Officer of the SANCB, said; “Winning this bid is a major achievement for the country and the continent of Africa. Our role as SANCB is to ensure that we integrate the African continent business events under a singular strategic positioning of “Advancing Africa Together” which aims to market Africa as an ideal business destination and showcases Africa’s readiness and capabilities to host world-class business events for the industry. We must kick start international tourism as the country gears up to open its boarders again for international travel in 2021.”
About ICCA
ICCA was founded in 1963 by a group of travel agents whose first and foremost aim was to evaluate practical ways to get the travel industry involved in the rapidly expanding market of international meetings and to exchange actual information related to their operations in this market.
