The Hybrid City Alliance has committed to the development and implementation of strategies based on the findings and recommendations of the ICCA Global Association Meetings Protocol.
This announcement was made at IMEX Frankfurt, and the 24 destinations will report on their individual activities and success at IMEX America in October, and the ICCA Convention in November.
Described as A Strategic Future for the Global Events Industry, the Global Association Meetings Protocol focuses on four key pillars:
- Sustainability, Equity & Legacy: Sustainability; equity, diversity and inclusion; and legacy are now top of mind for association clients when it comes to site selection. Therefore, destinations should dedicate more resources to deliver on those priorities more effectively.
- Crisis Planning & Mitigation: Protocols to enhance safety, health and security should be further enhanced and codified to protect against future cataclysmic shocks and chronic stresses that impact business events.
- Advocacy & Policy: Association clients are asking destinations and their partners to continue to advocate stridently for reducing barriers to travel.
- Sector & Community Alignment: Providing access to local clusters of advanced industries and community leaders is critical for attracting business events in those industries. Selling brainpower, as well as buildings, improves competitiveness for the destination and enhances legacy outcomes for the client.
“The Hybrid City Alliance was set up to bring likeminded destinations together at a time of extreme stress for our industry,” said Lesley Mackay, founding member of the Hybrid City Alliance and vice president, Meetings & Major Events Ottawa Tourism, in a press release.
“All of the member cities are committed to constantly improving themselves for the sake of their clients. This commitment provides the perfect demonstration of our willingness to make big decisions and implement the strategies, policies and infrastructure that association clients around the world need now and in the future.”
The Hybrid City Alliance boasts 24 member cities in 16 countries across five continents.
