ICCA’s commitment to supporting its association meetings industry members with intelligence and valuable connections will take everyone forward amid a testing macroenvironment, says its CEO Senthil Gopinath
ICCA has been very active this year, building on the power of collaboration to benefit members and the wider meetings industry. Looking at all the partnerships and initiatives launched this year, which would you say are most exciting for ICCA members, and why?
This year has truly demonstrated ICCA’s belief in the power of collaboration. For me, two initiatives stand out.
First, our partnership with the Strategic Alliance for the National Convention Bureaux of Europe, where we are jointly conducting a landmark survey on destination marketing and the future of learning. This work will provide data-driven insights that help shape strategy across our industry.
Second, our expansion of the Incredible Impacts Programme continues to inspire our global community, highlighting associations that deliver real legacy and societal change through events.
We also partnered with the World Trade Centers Association to collaborate on promoting sustainable and innovative practices, creating joint business development and networking opportunities, and developing shared educational resources.
Additionally, we’ve renewed our collaboration with the American Society of Association Executives, reaffirming our commitment to collaborate and strengthen engagement within the international association meetings sector.
These projects and partnerships showcase exactly why ICCA exists: to create value for our members and to amplify the global role of business events.
ICCA Congress 2025 theme is very forward-looking. How do you hope the programme will enrich the minds of your members in attendance?
The Congress in Porto, Portugal, is designed not just to inform, but to engage, challenge, and inspire. The Sharing Hubs 2.0 format gives members a platform to co-create solutions around five key tracks: sustainability, leadership, business models, technology, and creativity.
By using a combination of insight, open dialogue, and innovation, our goal is that every delegate leaves Porto with actionable ideas, tools, exciting new partnerships, and a renewed sense of purpose for the role business events can play in shaping society’s future.
The year so far has seen some deepening of VUCA conditions. What positivities should ICCA members focus on as they move forward into 2026?
Volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity will, of course, continue to be part of our reality as a global leader within the international business meetings and events space.
However, I think that even in this environment, we can find great opportunities. Business events remain uniquely powerful for creating trust, collaboration, and shared solutions.
Our members should focus on the positives: the growing demand for authentic human connection, the industry’s growing recognition as a real power player in economic and societal value, and the momentum around sustainability and innovation. These are big forces working in our favour.
How will ICCA continue to support members who are looking to make the most of business opportunities even as macro challenges remain?
ICCA will continue to support our members with the tools, knowledge, and platforms that help them succeed. This commitment includes expanding access to business intelligence through our database as well as the development of new lead generation tools, introducing new programmes focused on AI, strengthening our education programmes like ICCASkills, and creating more impactful networking opportunities through regional events, summits, and the global ICCA Congress.
Most importantly, ICCA will continue to act as the leading advocate for our industry, helping members navigate uncertainty, take on challenges, and realise the long-term value of business events to governments, partners, and society at large.
