ICCA world congress gets underway in Kaohsiung

2020/11/04

The annual world congress of the International Congress and Convention Association kicked off Nov. 1 in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City, with more than 1,000 members from around the globe taking part in person or virtually.
 
 Themed “Transforming Global Events Together” and organized by the Amsterdam-based organization, the three-day congress also involves regional proceedings staged in cities in Africa, the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia. Around 220 speakers are scheduled to discuss the key issues and major trends of the global meetings industry during the congress, according to the ICCA.
 
 In his opening address, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai said the event is testament to Taiwan’s success in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The country’s residents continue to enjoy normal lives, he said, adding that the congress is a great opportunity to share the secrets of Taiwan’s success with the world.
 
 Delivering his remarks via videoconference, ICCA President James Rees said Kaohsiung won its 2017 bid to host the congress thanks to a compelling story of regeneration. Realization of this vision has proved the ICCA board made the correct decision when the city was selected as the 2020 destination, he added.
 
 One highlight of the congress is the Nov. 3 signing of the Kaohsiung Protocol, a framework that identifies major trends and key strategies for the global events industry to continue to thrive in the post-pandemic era, according to the organizers.
 
 Established in 1963, the ICCA is the world’s leading association for the meetings industry, with a membership comprising more than 1,100 companies and organizations from nearly 100 countries and territories.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)