08:30 – 09:00 Registration & welcome coffee
09:00 – 09:05 Conference opening & welcome
MC: Marta Gomes (President, ICCA - Deputy Executive Director Sales and Marketing Division, VIPARIS)
Room: Plenary
09:05 – 09:20 Opening session
Moderator: Marta Gomes (President, ICCA - Deputy Executive Director Sales and Marketing Division, VIPARIS)
Speakers: Minister President of the Brussels Capital Region – Amaryllis Verhoeven (Acting Director for Ecosystems II: Tourism, Textiles, Digital Transformation of Industry, Social Economy – Head of Unit DG Grow, European Commission)
Room: Theater (plenary)
09:20 – 10:05 Strategic value of business events
Business events provide vital platforms for networking, collaboration, knowledge exchange, entrepreneurship, business and commerce. With diverse attendees, they show trends, enable market research and competitor analysis. Locally, these events generate impressive economic impact and lasting legacies, enhancing cultural intelligence for sustained business growth.
Moderator: James Latham (Founder, Producer, Publisher & Partnerships, The Iceberg)
Speakers: Petra Stušek (President, CityDNA - CEO, Ljubljana Tourism) – Roland Bleinroth (President, EMECA - CEO, Messe Stuttgart) – David Boon (Chairman, UFI European Chapter - Head of International Business Development, Brussels Expo Group) – James Rees (President, JMIC - Executive Director ExCeL London) – Elisabeth Van Ingelgem (Director of Strategy & International Development, visit.brussels)
Room: Theater (plenary)
10:05 – 10:50 Navigating green policies, the meetings industry path to a sustainable future
The session explores green policies for a sustainable future in Europe's meetings and events sector. It addresses challenges such as accessibility and infrastructure, reporting and measurement difficulties, and the complexities of complying with multiple legislations. The discussion will focus on solutions and potential support from the EU to overcome these sustainability challenges.
Moderator: Marta Gomes (President, ICCA - Deputy Executive Director Sales and Marketing Division, VIPARIS)
Speakers: Sven Bossu (CEO, AIPC) - Cristina Lanca (EUAN Greening Network) - Istvan Ujhelyi (MEP, Vice-chair, Committee on Transport and Tourism) – Alex Alles (Executive Director, JMIC) - Astrid Bartels (Head of Unit DG Grow, European Commission) – Arnaud Burlin (CEO, VIPARIS)
Room: Theater (plenary)
10:50 – 11:20 Networking coffee break
11:20 – 12:20 Breakout session 1: Accelerating sustainable mobility initiatives in the meetings industry
This session focuses on accelerating sustainable mobility initiatives in the meetings and events industry, covering modern transportation solutions, carbon footprint reduction, and advancing sustainable practices in the transportation sector, crucial for the industry. Discussions will include challenges, innovative approaches, and the broader impact of sustainable mobility within the event sector.
Moderator: Alexander Alles (Executive Director, JMIC)
Speakers: Balazs Németh (Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Brussels Airlines) - Charles Feld (Director of the Energy, Environment and Transport practice, Grayling – on behalf of GBTA) - Pierpaolo Settembri (Head of Unit Coordination and planning, DG MOVE, European Commission) - Frances van Klaveren (Community Engagement Manager, ICCA) – Sylvain Haon (Senior Director, Strategy & Transformation, UITP)
Room: The Balcony
11:20 – 12:20 Breakout session 2: Bridging markets - EU trade policies' impact on business events
EU trade policies have a direct impact on the industries and geographies concerned, mirrored directly on the trade fairs of the respective sectors. We will assess the current state of collaboration and agreements to get an idea of challenges and opportunities for the exhibition industry. We will also address the related issue of visa crunch for incoming exhibitors and visitors to Europe for conferences and exhibitions and learn about the upcoming ETIAS and future Schengen visa solutions.
Moderator: Barbara Weizsäcker (Secretary General, EEIA & EMECA)
Speakers: Tomislav Tadic (Team Leader Visa Policy Unit DG Home, European Commission) - Roland Bleinroth (President, EMECA - CEO, Messe Stuttgart), Jörg Wojahn (Adviser DG Trade, European Commission) – Silvia Bauermeister (Manager Legal Affairs, Business Development, AUMA)
Room: Theater (plenary)
11:20 – 12:20 Breakout session 3: Talent, training and DEI strategies for the meetings industry
This session centers on talent, training, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies tailored for the meetings industry. Participants will explore effective approaches to recruit, train, and nurture diverse talent within the sector. Discussions may cover best practices for fostering an inclusive environment, overcoming challenges, and optimising DEI initiatives for enhanced success in the meetings industry.
Moderator: Aileen Crawford (Vice President, ICCA - Head of Tourism & Convention, Glasgow Convention Bureau)
Speakers: Enrica Baccini (Chief Economist, Fondazione Fiera Milano), Eric Bakermans (Co-founder, Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe) – Sonia De Melo Xavier (Policy Officer, DG Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion, European Commission) – Mike Morrissey (President, ESAE & Chief Executive, European Cancer Organisation) – Senthil Gopinath (Chief Executive Officer, ICCA)
Room: The Launch Pad
12:20 – 13:20 Lunch break
13:20 – 14:05 EU Tourism Pathway, embracing green and digital transition for a more resilient meetings industry
The European Commission has reacted to the devastating pandemic effects on the tourism industry in building an action plan for the recovery and the general transition of this sector to master the green and digital transition. We will hear about the achievements, the current and future priorities and action plans for the entire value chain of travel and tourism, with the main focus on the segments important for the meetings industry.
Moderator : Flavie de Bueil (COO, CityDNA)
Speakers: Marie-Hélène Pradines (Head of Unit Tourism & Textiles, DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs at European Commission), Marie Audren (Director General, HOTREC), Tim Fairhurst (Tourism Manifesto & Director General, ETOA) - Alessandra Priante (President, ENIT) - Cristina Nuñez Cuesta (Managing Director, NECSTouR) – Patrick Bontinck (CEO, visit.brussels)
Room: Theater (plenary)
14:05 – 14:45 Statistics and data: boosting representation, resilience and business
In the rapidly evolving digital age, the power of statistics and data has never been more critical. This session dives deep into the heart of how data analytics and statistical methodologies are pivotal in sculpting the future of Meetings Industry representation, resilience, and business success.
Moderator: Barbara Weizsäcker (Secretary General, EEIA & EMECA)
Speakers: Javier Ruescas (Senior Programme Officer, UN Tourism) - Misa Labarile (Policy Officer Tourism Unit DG Grow, European Commission), Enrica Baccini (Chief Economist, Fondazione Fiera Milano), Jason Stienmetz (European Dataspace For Tourism)
Room: Theater (plenary)
14:45 – 16:00 Breakout session 1: Digital Innovations - tackling challenges, unleashing potential for meetings and exhibitions
In an era where digital technology reshapes every aspect of our lives, the Meetings Industry stands on the brink of a transformative revolution. This session delves into the world of digital innovations, exploring also how they address current challenges like AI and cybersecurity and unlock new opportunities within the industry.
Moderator: Nick Dugdale-Moore (Regional Director Europe, UFI)
Speakers: Ben Goedegebuure (Chief Global Strategy Officer, Maritz) - Sonia Serracarbassa (BE Future project, EU funded, Catalan Convention Bureau) - Jonathan Huffstutler (Marketing & Partnership Manager, EONA-X) - Kai Hattendorf (Managing Director/CEO, UFI) – Elisabetta Degiampietro (Head of Unit Conference Services, European Commission)
Room: The Launch Pad
14:45 – 16:00 Breakout session 2: EU policies' practical challenges for the business events actors: open forum for questions
During this session, participants are encouraged to share any challenges they face with regulations and operational conditions in Europe. This can include issues related to cross-border service provision, harmonization between countries, interpretation of regulations and legislation, visas for attendees, or any other relevant topics. We will discuss these challenges and work together to find solutions.
Moderator: Peirui Tan (Programme Manager Advocay & Alliances, UFI)
Speakers: Uta Goretzky (Managing Director, IFES) – Enrique Fontes (Legal Adviser, EEIA) – Silvia Bauermeister (Manager Legal Affairs, Business Development, AUMA)
Room: The Stage
14:45 – 16:00 Breakout session 3: Catalysing Innovation - how meetings and exhibitions drive R&D, entrepreneurship, collaboration and growth
In a world where innovation is the cornerstone of growth and development, the role of meetings and exhibitions in fostering research and development (R&D), entrepreneurship, collaboration, and overall growth cannot be overstated. Through expert insights and real-world examples, we will explore the path from science, R&D to start-ups to SMEs and internationalisation and how European policies, support structures, funding and financing complement and foster the development of European champions.
Moderator: Barbara Weizsäcker (Secretary General, EEIA & EMECA)
Speakers: Inge Buffolo (Director, EUIPO) – Prof. Elizabeth Macintyre (President, Biomedical Alliance in Europe & Prof. Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades) – Jean-David Malo (Director of the Agency, EIC & SMEs (EISMEA) – Jaume Puig (Co-founder & CEO, , Biel Glasses)
Room: The Balcony
16:00 – 16:30 Closing session
The closing session will be the perfect moment to highlight the various impactful moments and insightful ideas shared throughout the day. We will also discuss the next steps moving forward to the publication of a common statement from the meetings industry to the EU.
Moderator: Marta Gomes (President, ICCA - Deputy Executive Director Sales and Marketing Division, VIPARIS)
Speakers: Petra Stušek (President, CityDNA) – David Boon (Chairman, UFI European Chapter - Head of International Business Development, Brussels Expo Group) – James Rees (President, JMIC - Executive Director ExCeL London) – Patrick Bontinck (CEO, visit.brussels)
Room: Theater (plenary)
16:30 – 18:00 Networking drink