52nd ICCA Congress

International Congress and Convention Association .

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Organising International Meetings

presented by

Alice Au, Director of International Sales

Toronto Convention Bureau

International Congress and Convention Association .

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• Comparison of the needs and focus between

International Association Congress and

International Corporate & Incentives Sectors

Sector Comparison

International Congress and Convention Association .

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• Long process - from lead development to final

hosting of congress (1 – 8 years)

• Heavy research using the ICCA database,

business exchange with peers, and/or simply

Google website for more information

• Based on rotation around 3-4 continents

• Relationship building with International

Association / National Association / PCO

• Budget conscious

International Association Congress

International Congress and Convention Association .

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• Member-driven

• Destination selection often based on General

Assembly vote / Sometimes a city is selected due

to need to grow membership in that region

• Goals of conference: Networking & Knowledge

exchange - strong scientific program led by

local & international experts in the field

• Professional accreditation / CME

• Budget driven, therefore events tend to be low

key unless “sponsored”

International Association Congress

International Congress and Convention Association .

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• Time line: short lead time / often last minute

request (1 – 12 months)

• Continuous relationship building with corporate

end users, third party agencies & meeting planners

• More flexibility with budget

• Corporate meetings: Goal driven / team-building /

bonding

• Incentives: Reward high performance teams

• Programs include fun, creative, themed events

International Corporate/Incentives

International Congress and Convention Association .

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• The annual Distripress Congress is the

international meeting point for members involved

in distribution and marketing of newspapers and

periodicals

• At the heart of the Congress are the Executive

Forum, the Business Conference, the Distripress

Expo and the Social Programme

Case Study – Distripress 2013

International Congress and Convention Association .

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• June 2008: Through research uncovered the above lead opportunity

• Annual conference that attracts 600 to 1200 participants

• CVB – pursued Association MD & PCO via sales call, IMEX, EIBTM, invite for site visit, bid negotiations

• Competitor: Dubai

Case Study – Distripress 2013

International Congress and Convention Association .

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2016 Dubai, UAE

2015 Brussels, Belgium

2014 Cannes, France

2013 Toronto, ON Canada 600

2012 Glasgow, United Kingdom 850

2011 Barcelona, Spain 960

2010 Hamburg, Germany 1061

2009 Phoenix, Az U.S.A. 613

2008 Istanbul, Turkey 1181

History of Distripress Congress

International Congress and Convention Association .

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Destination comparison:

TORONTO – significantly lower costs with proved

quality, political & economic stability; Toronto (1988)

DUBAI – growing importance of the region in the

press industry; possibility to attract new members;

convenient for Asian members; argument simply -

never been to Dubai!

• From RFP to final selection – TWO years

• Toronto WON

Case Study – Distripress 2013

International Congress and Convention Association .

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Marketing Support:

1. Offered use of attendance building marketing

program to promote conference electronically

2. Save the Date postcards produced

3. Video & promotional materials provided to MD

for year prior promos at various conferences

4. Tourism Toronto CEO gave official Welcome

Remarks on behalf of the City at Opening

Ceremony

Case Study – Distripress 2013

International Congress and Convention Association .

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58th Distripress Congress Toronto 2013

The Office of the Prime Minister is pleased to provide Distripress

with a welcome message from the Right Honourable Prime Minister

Stephen Harper, Canada

International Congress and Convention Association .

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Highlights of Distripress 2013

International Congress and Convention Association .

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• Industry consolidation & Economic climate in Europe affected their attendance numbers

• Visa issues for Russian delegation due to their error in completing application

• Targeted attendance: 800-1000

• Final attendance: 600 (budgeted for 500 as break-even so no financial loss)

• Conference was considered a success as program offered great learning for all

Distripress 2013 - Challenges

International Congress and Convention Association .

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2009 World Wushu Championship 2 years

2010 ICS/IUGA 4 years

2011 Alzheimer’s Disease INTL 4 years

2011 SWIFT SIBOS 5 years

2012 ISRRT 5 years

2013 ISRS 5 years

2014 AIPPI 6 years

2015 ISTH 8 years

2018 ISA (2 attempts: Lost 2014) 11 years

Time Line from RFP to Hosting

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• Conferences and events booked years ahead help

to build the base for hotel occupancy

• Affect the economic impact of the city

• Create jobs in all sectors – hotels, convention

centres, restaurants, attractions, entertainment,

retail, even the hot dog stands

• High profile events enhance the image of a city,

e.g. G8 Summit / plot the city on the world map

Impact of INT’L Events on a City

International Congress and Convention Association .

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ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?