Eighteen 18 business events professionals from New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, and India have completed their ICCASkills Training Programme, equipping themselves with cutting-edge insights and best practices from across the globe.
The three-day event – Australasia’s first in-person ICCASkills Training Programme – was hosted at Te Pae Christchurch Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 10 to 13.
Tourism New Zealand supported the training with an ICCASkills scholarship programme, giving New Zealand business events professionals the chance to undertake the certification by sharing costs with the scholarship recipient’s employer.
The sessions were facilitated by ICCA’s expert international instructors Deanna Varga from Australia and Juan José García from Spain. Following the completion of their exams, attendees will receive Certified International Convention Executive (CICE) accreditation, which is aimed at senior professionals with management experience.
García said: “The quality of New Zealand’s ICCASkills programme marks a pivotal moment in fostering innovation and collaboration on a regional scale.”
Varga added: “The engagement and rich learning across the three days from not only diverse nationalities, but diverse sectors, made for productive conversations. Sharing experiences and insights reveals we are often facing the same challenges and can find solutions together.”
Tourism New Zealand global manager business events, Penelope Ryan commented that the programme “provided a valuable professional development opportunity for New Zealand’s event professionals, enabling them to build their capabilities, network with their peers, and help grow our share of business events.”
Ryan pointed out that the business events sector was worth NZ$403 million (US$249 million) to the New Zealand economy in 2023.
“Upskilling business events professionals will help New Zealand to attract future events and ensures delegates have an exceptional experience while they are here,” added Ryan.
The programme included a welcome event and site visit at Te Pae Christchurch Convention & Exhibition Centre, along with a Christchurch city experience. ICCA international staff and tutors also took the opportunity to inspect New Zealand’s other new conference infrastructure: the New Zealand International Convention Centre, with support from Auckland Convention Bureau, and Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre, in conjunction with Business Events Wellington.
