The International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) and the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) have partnered to create an academy that will train the next generation of convention industry professionals.
The ANZ Academy, set to debut on June 16 in Melbourne, will offer intensive training in crisis management, financial strategy, leadership, and motivation.
The flagship leadership programme will host upcoming convention and exhibition centre professionals for a five-day bootcamp, bringing together talent from Australia and New Zealand. It will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
The joint announcement was made by Peter King, chair of ABEA, and Sven Bossu, CEO of AIPC, during a press conference at AIME on Wednesday.
“There’s been a generational change happening within the Australian industry over the last year or two,” said King. “We need to identify who the next leaders of this industry are. Everyone is looking to invest in the future, but we need to develop leadership skills, which is why this initiative is so important.”
“Many of our team members have attended AIPC’s Academy in Brussels, and the return on investment in emerging talent has been invaluable,” added Natalie O’Brien, CEO of MCEC.
From Brussels, AIPC’s leadership academy programme has been successfully expanding across multiple continents. The programme had its North American launch in Toronto three years ago, where it continues to attract around 35 participants each time. Last year marked its expansion into Africa with an inaugural academy in Cape Town, South Africa, with its next iteration this year in Kigali, Rwanda.
Plans to establish the academy in Asia – a fifth continent to its footprint – is also under consideration.
“There is specific demand from the Chinese market, with a growing community of convention centres. I think there is an opportunity for knowledge exchange there,” said Bossu.
Applications are now open, with participation targeting mid-level professionals poised for senior leadership roles.
