AIPC Annual Conference San Diego program Click here

Annual Conference reports and presentations
Available via the members only section

Global Recovery and Growth: Where Are We? Where Are We Going?
Keynote Speaker: Professor David Blanchflower | Bruce V. Rauner Professor of Economics at Dartmouth College (US)

This session will review the current progress of economic recovery and suggest how current business trends and future restructuring may impact convention centre prospects and strategies.

After the Crisis: Global Industry Status and Prospects
James E. Rooney | Director, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Boston
Geoff Donaghy | Group Director - Convention Centres - AEG Ogden
Ralf Kleinhenz | Vice President Congresses and Guest Events, Internationales Congress Centrum Berlin
Aloysius Arlando | Chief Executive Officer, Singex Group, Singapore

Based on the newest member-based research and "on the ground" observations by regional leaders, this session will review and compare the attitudes and prospects of various parts of the world from a convention centre perspective.

How Events are Evolving: A User’s Perspective
Dr Layth Bunni | Chief Operating Officer, Adam Smith International and Non Executive Director, Congrex Group
Germaine Schaefer | Director, Convention Operations, American Diabetes Association
Bruce MacMillan | President/CEO, MPI

Events are evolving and the expectations of event venues are changing with them. This session will identify some of the key factors involved in the evolution of meetings, congresses and exhibitions from the perspective of key client groups.

Virtual Meetings: Impacts, Opportunities and Adaptations
Kathy Sulgit | Director of Global Events, CISCO

Virtual meetings are suddenly in industry headlines as a result of better technology, cost concerns and sustainability issues. This session will key implications of this trend from the perspective of a technology leader.

Managing Change in a Convention Centre
Keynote Speaker: Gary Heil | Center for Innovative Leadership (Co-Founder)

With a better idea of how and where the industry and overall economy are evolving, the question is how we can best respond in management and organizational terms. A recognized expert in the field of change management will explore options.

The Exhibition World: Status and Prospects
Paul Woodward | Managing Director, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition industry

The exhibition sector is of critical interest to many convention centres and has had significant impacts in the course of the recent recession. The Managing Director of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition industry, will reveal how this sector is developing and what this will mean for centre managers.

Meeting New Expectations: A Response from Centres and Suppliers
Revenue issues: Carol Wallace, President & CEO, San Diego Convention Center Corp.
Design issues: Enhancing Existing Facilities:
Chris Eseman | Partner, LMN Architects
Todd Voth | Senior Principal, Populous

This session will provide a venue and supplier response to how centres and suppliers are already identifying and reacting to growing revenue challenges and client expectations with new business strategies and facility configurations.

Securing New Investment: What Does it Take in Today's Political / Economic Climate?
Alec Gilbert | Chief Executive, Adelaide Convention Centre
Rashid Toefy | Chief Executive Officer, Cape Town International Convention Centre
Patrick Kelly | President, Ottawa Convention Centre

There's no better way to "take the temperature" of government and community support for the industry than to pursue major new investment in infrastructure. Three AIPC members with expansion success stories will outline how they achieved the support required for a major project.

New-Age Food and Beverage: What's Driving Change?
Jeff Leidy | Executive Chef, San Diego Convention Center Corp. and Assistant General Manager for Centerplate
Iker Goikoetxea Mendoza | Managing Director, Kursaal Congress Centre, San Sebastian

Many centres are finding that the Food and Beverage area is one where excellence can really command a premium. This session will explore how centres can use innovative meal functions to enhance revenues and create compelling new experiences.

The Evolving Industry: 2011 AIPC Member Trends & Outlook Survey
Michael Hughes | Managing Director of Research and Consulting, Red 7 Media

This session will outline the results of the second in a series of comprehensive AIPC Member Surveys which have been carried out in order to track the course of business growth and member confidence as well as strategic responses by centre managers to new industry conditions and client expectations.