President’s message

Date: 05/09/2024

Category:

Dear AIPC Member,

Just before the start of the 2024 Annual Conference in Costa Rica, we had a Board meeting to discuss the future strategy of AIPC. The outcome of the meeting and the decisions taken were shared at the General Assembly two days later. As not all of you were able to join us – on-site or virtually – I would like to use this opportunity to share this information with all of you. 

The first decision taken was that the core mission of AIPC – to encourage, support and recognize excellence in convention center management – is still valid. The one thing which makes AIPC unique, is its focus on convention centers.  

At the same time, the landscape in which convention centers operate has drastically changed over the last years. Attracting talent, sustainability, cyber security, … are challenging topics which are high on the agenda. AIPC needs to adapt to this reality and has done so in different ways – from setting up a cyber security working group to a tailor-made talent programme. However, we do feel there is a need for more alignment and focus. That is why 5 strategic goals have been defined: 

  1. Strengthen member relationships & engagement 
  2. Increase the value offered to members by continuously improving our service offering 
  3. Establish the association as a thought leader and advocate in the convention and event industry 
  4. Support the definition & implementation of industry standards & best practices with regards to hospitality, technology & sustainability 
  5. Ensure operational & financial stability and growth of the association 

For each of these goals, a set of SMART objectives has been defined, which will be monitored via a performance dashboard and progress will be discussed during the two-monthly Board meetings and shared with you on a quarterly basis.  

One of the key success factors for achieving this objectives is indeed clear and consistent communication with the AIPC community at all levels. To that purpose – and with the support of external experts – a communication strategy will be defined and implemented before the end of this year.  

Finally, we will also re-inforce the relationship with our business partners via a structured and structural engagement, allowing to further develop these partnerships to the benefit of all parties involved. 

Like its members, AIPC has gone through a turbulent period of the last years. Thanks to your loyalty and continued support, AIPC not only survived but came out stronger out of this period. I believe that by putting the above in place, AIPC will continue to increase the value it offers to its community.  

Greg O’Dell
President of AIPC

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