On
April 9, the world congress industry experts met in Radisson Blu
Alcron Hotel Prague at the educational seminar “How to win
international congresses”.
During
the event, which was attended by 150 participants, they talked about
finding a way in a competitive market, preparing BID that will win or
the significance of the Olympic Games and their contribution to the
city on the example of London.
The
Prague Convention Bureau organized this unique seminar, which helps
to exchange the information and to cooperate with the world leaders
in the field of congress industry, for the second consecutive year.
Like last year, the seminar was meant for both local and foreign
professionals in the field of congress tourism, media
representatives, domestic association representatives and public
authorities.
The
seminar was opened by ICCA CEO Martin Sirk, according to whom the
success in promotion and winning international congresses lies in
awareness of the importance of cooperation. “The successful
destinations are able to get the most from the cooperation with
others. The example may be Vienna, which cooperates with Barcelona in
distant markets and they represent the European culture together,
even though they are the competitors. Also the Scandinavian cities
represent Scandinavia as one unit, they do a joint promotion and you
can find their booths at international trade fairs side by side.”
Malcolm
MacMillan from the International Confederation Midwives continued
with a speech about the importance of an added value offered by the
destination. According to him, the most important question asked by a
convention manager at the beginning is whether the destination is
able to attract the delegates. In his opinion, the most important of
all is the access - getting delegates to the destination, transport
within the destination and also affordability of the services. The
International Confederation Midwives will organize its congress in
Prague next year, and expects about 3000 participants. “Today, the
delegates want to spend their money in an attractive destination that
has something to offer. One of the reasons why we have chosen Prague
for this congress was the fact that delegates wanted to come here.”
Francesca
Manzani from the Florence office of AIM Group International and the
ICCA Board Member highlighted the importance of understanding the
client and pointed out that the companies active in the congress
industry should not only focus on the sales, but more on clients`
needs and wishes. "Convention bureau should co-ordinate local
suppliers and common activities to persuade clients of the
destination. And however is e.g. the financial support important,
even the greatest one cannot buy personal approach and trust."
Likewise, the director of the Czech Space Office Jan Kolář talked
about personal approach, particularly from the PCO side, and showed
it on a case study of the candidacy for the International
Astronautical Congress, held in Prague in 2010, when contribution of
the organizing agency to the bidding process was a key factor for
final success.
The
director of the largest convention center in London, ExCeL London,
and the ICCA Board Member James Rees built his speech upon the
Olympic Games and their benefits for the growth of the congress
industry in London. Thanks to the development of infrastructure and
evolving relationships with the government, London now attracts more
event organizers than ever, because the Olympic Games have changed
the view on the city. Thus, London went from 19th place in 2010 to
7th place in 2012 in the world destination ranking. Bruce Redor from
GainingEdge, who moderated the entire event, also talked about the
importance of government support and the necessity of highlighting
the differences and strengths of the destination.
The
educational seminar was held under the auspices of the Minister for
Regional Development Kamil Jankovský and the Prague City Councillor
for Culture, Monument Care, Exhibitions, International Relations and
Tourism Václav Novotný. The main partners of the event were the
Ministry of regional development, the City of Prague, CzechTourism,
Czech Convention Bureau, Prague Airport, Prague Information Service
and Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel. The technological partner was Mikenopa
and the media partners were business paper E15, C.O.T. media
publishing house, and Metropol TV.
