AIPC CEO Sven Bossu looks with optimism at the challenges of the year ahead
2022 was a great year for convention centres and for AIPC. Despite challenges, recovery is turning into growth and 2023 has the potential – fingers crossed – to become a best ever for many members of the AIPC community. It is an ambition we also have at association level, as we want to grow both in terms of members but – even more importantly – in the value we deliver to our members.
In a way, I was very lucky to come on board at AIPC in May 2020. Yes, there were some challenges – every AIPC member had to close its doors and the event industry come to a halt – but both the Board and the Business Partners of AIPC were committed to use that period as an opportunity to prepare for a next phase of AIPC.
A six-pillar plan was put into place and the first results were delivered in 2021 and 2022, with the launch of the AIPC talent programme Future Shapers, the intensified collaboration with other associations and the revisited relationship with the AIPC Business Partners, who have become true partners and actively involved in all our activities.
This work will continue in 2023. The second edition of the talent programme has been launched, with the support of RAI Amsterdam and we have a great and diverse group of upcoming talents signed up who will undoubtedly blow us away at the next Annual Conference in Luxembourg.
The collaboration with other associations, via the Joint Meeting Industry Council (JMIC) will result in key milestones in 2023, with the delivery of eight roadmaps towards Net Zero Carbon Events. And the onboarding of new business partners will allow for even more intellectual cross-pollination between the leaders of these organisations and the AIPC community.
In addition, we want to revamp our suite of activities and increase their value and inclusiveness. The ambition is to make the AIPC events testing grounds for some of the new technology and formats we see arising, allowing our members to experience the value firsthand, potentially resulting in new product and service offerings.
At the same time, we want to increase our reach, either by co-creating activities with other associations (like the Canadian Academy which will take place for the first time in 2023, in collaboration with the Convention Centers of Canada) or partners (like the first ever AIPC Africa Summit which takes place next year, in collaboration with the South Africa National Convention Bureau).
So, yes, a lot of plans for 2023, all driven by the input and support of our members and partners. Having worked in a very different industry for over 20 years, it never stops to amaze me how people in the event industry are open for collaboration, not shy of sharing information and most importantly: having fun while doing so. The event industry is a great place to work in and I am proud to be part of it. See you in 2023!
