Geneva Convention Bureau Switzerland International Association Overview Enrico

Geneva Convention Bureau, Switzerland International Association Overview Enrico Zuffi, Manager Geneva Convention Bureau 44 th ICCA Congress & Exhibition, 6 -9 November 2005, Montevideo iccaworld. com

International Association Overview • Perspective seen by a Convention Bureau. • Associations: Major revolution the web ü More transparency ü More details ü There is much more published information • The web has helped tremendously: BUT…

• Positive: ü You can get more historic info when founded, where. ü Better organised. The web probably pushes them to get things correctly published ü Those with specs or requirements are improving their data constantly, Deadline bids • Negative: – Only a few publish what they need for their conferences. – We seldom know where they are based or how they are managed. An association database is still a wonderful tool , thanks ICCA! – You get more info on who is what in the organization, but seldom figures concerning their events.

Association Market: • Development: ü In Europe: more and more associations. ü They start to appear more and more in our database: 5 th-6 th congresses, 200 -500 pax. ü There is a big potential! ICCA data and UIA

• Increasing number of: ü IT oriented conferences ü Safety / Security oriented events. ü Health oriented conferences - quality, prevention, information systems ü Biotechnology / Life Sciences conferences ü Ecology oriented conferences • American based associations are looking into the European / Asian market EBACE, MIE Europe

• Frequency: ü Meeting more often: From a 2 – 3 year period, to annual ü World Associations also switch from 4 years to 2 years or plan regional meetings • Globalization: – Rotation more and more a must or common rule: – ICN – World Heart – FDI

Organisational Structures: • Large associations professionnalize their management: ü Membership ü Scientific Content ü Bottom line ü Well structured - Conference Dept. - Communication Dept. Fundraising Dept. • ESC, FECS, ESMO, CIES • Plan additionnal conferences, training courses • Planning longer in advance (except IT)

CORE PCO: • Do associations use more often a core PCO for their conference? Ø Core PCO’s have remained stable – Kenes, Congrex, AKM, Felicissimo Associates, MCI, Eurocongres – Some have emerged: KIT, ICEO Ø But every year 5 - 10, large associations are doing or redoing a RFP. Ø Core PCO’s handle often larger events, where conference management is very important – EULAR – ENS – IFFS – ESGO – UEGW

Association Management Companies: • AMC: are they controling more of the cake? Not sure, but the cake gets bigger • They are: New member oriented, tend to make less emotional decisions • They do not handle large events (200 -2500) • Money conscious? Facts and conditions are very important! • Are only a few in Europe! – – AGS MCI Kellen UK companies.

• Convention Bureaus are more and more the first inquiry place! Ø Reasons: ü Global approach ü One stop shop ü Neutral and objective ü Credibility ü Quality supervisors • CB are more and more proactive in the different markets and develop better web pages

Conflict situations for Convention Bureaus ! • As Corporate Clients, PCO’s, AMC use CB more often CB have to put more efforts and time into each file! • Positive: ü The clients get a broader and better offer ü CB Controls more and more the demand • Negative: –They can choose how they want to handle their event • Do all directly ! –CB may have a problem, if sponsored by members! • Use a local DMC for hotels, eventually for social events. • Appoint a local PCO

FUTURE: • Will CB have to adapt their structures ? • Be less member oriented and sponsored? • Finance themselves on results?

Merci! Muchas Gracias por su attencion! Thank you! iccaworld. com