Last year Convention Centres and their clients were anticipating a strengthening economy and a global economic resurgence. This year we're all discovering that economic issues are far from resolved and what's needed is a strategy that stabilizes and grows business opportunities in the face of what may be a long and uncertain recovery.

Market weakness, protracted negotiations, government financial issues and uncertain attendance all challenge traditional business expectations – but at the same time set the stage for innovative new practices that can benefit all parties. From different ways of marketing to risk-sharing and even new event development, centres everywhere are revisiting both their own operations and the ways in which they interact with their clients in the interest of maintaining stability. The results will help support long term industry advancement long after the current economic crisis has passed.

This session will explore some of the ways in which both centres and planners are adapting their expectations and business tactics to address the key challenges we face today. Come and be part of a wide ranging discussion around how we can all play a role in enhancing the business opportunity as well as the delegate experience in a time when innovation is the key to survival and growth!

Panellists:
Pieter Idenburg | Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre
Geoff Donagy | Cairns Convention Centre
Valeria Guarisco | MIC Milano Convention Centre

Moderator: Rod Cameron | AIPC


Previous AIPC Seminars

October 2011 (IMEX America): Going International: Aligning Centre / Planner Expectations

An increasing number of organizations and associations are "going global" in pursuit of new business and membership opportunities - and they are taking their meetings and exhibiting requirements with them. At the same time, centres throughout the world are looking for the opportunity to diversify their event base, particularly by getting a foot into the International market.

What do these two groups need to know about each others capabilities and expectations? What are the risks and rewards? How different is the experience in different parts of the world today? How can clients develop the comfort level they need to interact effectively with facilities around the world, and centres get to understand clearly what's needed? What kinds of issues arise most frequently in these interactions and how can these best be anticipated and addressed? And most important of all, how are these factors evolving to meet the changes of the future?

AIPC will be using the unique business environment of IMEX America to explore these questions in a group conversation with representatives from different sectors and various parts of the world. Bring your questions and observations and join us to both learn and contribute to this important discussion about an essential interaction in our new global environment!

Panellists:  
Jennifer Salsbury | Beijing
Anne Jamieson | Melbourne
Lydie Buléon | Paris
John Houghton | Toronto


May 2011 (IMEX): Innovation Forum – Strategies for Centres and their Clients to Respond to Changing Economic Realities

One of the effects of the recent recession was to create new challenges for many convention centres in meeting their bottom line needs. Faced with many factors including rising client expectations, a reduced willingness to pay market rents and greater competition, many centres are having to re-think their business strategies, financial models and value propositions along with the relationships they have with clients and suppliers. The panel debated the question of how financial viability can be maintained in a way that enables all players to achieve a reasonable return for the role they play in delivering the meeting experience to the satisfaction of both clients and owners.

Panellists:
Armin Egger | Messe Congress Graz
Peter Brokenshire | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
Leigh Harry | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre


November 2010 (EIBTM): Centre - Client Relations: New Realities; New Models

These are challenging times for many in the industry as a weak economic recovery in many parts of the world combined with increasing financial constraints in many corporations and associations is making it much more difficult to make the financial equation for meetings and conventions work. The traditional allocation of risk and reward may just not work properly anymore, which puts events like conventions and exhibitions, along with the suppliers that serve them, at increasing risk.

The most progressive members of the industry were looking at new ways to manage both centre-client relationships and the expectations of owners in response to these challenges. Included were innovations in the areas of event financing, technology, sustainability and industry valuation - all important new ways of adjusting the traditional business model to meet today's new realities.

Panellists:
Carol Wallace | San Diego Convention Center
Ralf Nüsser | KölnKongress GMBH
Ben Goedegebuure | Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre Glasgow
Andrew Beattie: Ottawa Congress Centre


May 2010 (IMEX): Destination - Centre Relations: Progress in the Face of New Challenges?

The interactions between centres and their respective destination marketing organizations is an ongoing topic of discussion and one that has never seemed to lend itself to clear and universal solutions. But it is of increasing importance in a time when competition is increasing worldwide, when convention clients are facing challenges of their own and when intermediaries are playing an increasing role in the decision making process. The results will impact not just individual competitiveness, but the overall question of how the industry needs to position itself going forward into a world where it under increasing pressure to demonstrate value.

December 2009 (EIBTM): Beyond the Recession: Are We Ready for Next-generation Meetings and Conventions?

While impacts of the global economic situation have been getting all the attention, the bigger question is how meetings are continuing to evolve over the long term and what that will mean for planners, suppliers and facilities long after the current recession is history. In fact, current conditions may actually be accelerating longer term change and bringing that future closer every day.

May 2009 (IMEX): Strategies for Coping and Growing Business in Challenging Times

We as an industry have now had over six months to digest the reality of the global economic crisis and develop new strategies for dealing with the impacts. This session will bring together representatives of three key areas of the industry - industry associations, centres and clients - to review the lessons learned, the prognosis for the future and the strategies that have proven most effective in addressing the downturn.


December 2008 (EIBTM): Big Issues - Big Solutions

Following a period of remarkable growth and rising expectations, the Meetings Industry is facing a number of issues with major, long-term implications, ranging from labour and skills shortages and rising costs to an uncertain economy and growing concerns about the cost and carbon footprint of long distance travel. These are issues that face suppliers and clients equally as all have the potential to impact future event attendance. As a result, the best solutions will be joint ones that represent a collective effort by all industry sectors acting in a coordinated way.

April 2008 (IMEX): Storm clouds or silver linings? What's the outlook for the international meetings industry?

November 2007 (EIBTM): Successful RfP's - do we understand each other?

April 2007 (IMEX): New Players, New Rules: Who's Driving the Industry These Days?

November 2006 (EIBTM): Decision Time: Key Factors in Selecting Facilities and Suppliers

May 2006 (IMEX): Carving Up The Financial Pie - Who gets which slice?

November 2005 (EIBTM): Managing for Success: Key Accountabilities in Congress Delivery

April 2005 (IMEX): How can Centres and PCO's work together to Add Value to the Association's Event?

December 2004 (EIBTM): Quality Standards for Convention Centres: Who Decides?

May 2004 (IMEX): A Cooperative Approach to Building Successful Congress Bids

April 2003 (IMEX): A cooperative Approach to Event Security

May 2002 (EIBTM): Government and Community Relations for the Meetings Industry