A high-quality programme, the Greek island of
"I view this ICCRM as a mini Olympics," Korten told attendees at the farewell party, which started at the open-air amphitheatre with a welcome cocktail ("the finest nectar of the Gods of Olympus")! "The five rings of the Olympic flag represent the union of the continents and we have had delegates from four continents and 24 nations. The Olympic flame represents the light of knowledge and life passed from generation to generation and the ICCRM symbolises these elements as well." She urged them to keep the spirit of sportsmanship going. "Although we think of each other as competitors, we have learned in the last three days that we will grow in our profession through sharing."
The majority of participants represented convention bureaux and convention centres. The rest were executives from travel agents, PCO companies, hotels and other meeting suppliers.
Keynote speaker Enrico Zuffi of Geneva Convention Bureau, Switzerland, described the structure of the meetings market and some of the methods researchers can adopt to track down new business. Zuffi also moderated a Client/Supplier Forum, where a panel of three important client representatives explained their meeting needs. They were Marianne Kuyl-Kemmer, Executive Vice President of the European Foundation for the Advancement of Healthcare Practitioners, Doina Patrubani, EMEA Learning & Growth Manager of Deloitte & Touche and Susan Goldstein, Conference Director of the World Youth & Student Travel Conference.
Eight breakout sessions covered a variety of topics including how to build a database, how to use statistics, how to write a preliminary offer and how to get repeat business from corporate clients. Four round-table discussions provided the opportunity for participants to interact and share many practical insights. ICCA staff ran a special workshop for those not too familiar with ICCA DATA meetings research products, and a Business Leads Exchange gave delegates the chance to pass on up-to-date information on rotating meetings which have recently been handled by their companies.
The Capsis Beach Hotel & Sofitel Capsis Palace Hotel & Convention Center is located on the private peninsula of Aghia Pelaghia in Crete and it is the only resort convention centre in the Mediterranean with 110 meeting rooms. This 5-star deluxe seaside Resort Hotel is surrounded by a vast park of 167.000 m², 3 sandy beaches, beautiful Aegean views, extensive gardens, Ancient Greek Ruins from the Minoan Times, lakes, ponds, cascades and waterfalls. The hotel looks like a Cretan Village and consists of 2 main building blocks and 3 bungalow sets, 3 Conference Centers and an Exhibition Center.
Social events (always with a different theme influenced by Ancient & modern Greece) each night took full advantage of the local ambience. "Crete is said to be the birthplace of Zeus and Greek mythology and the gods certainly seemed to be smiling on us throughout," said Marianne Korten. "I have every confidence that ICCA is helping to widen the world network of professional meetings market researchers through the ICCRM programmes." The attendees agreed that the choice of the hotel was great and that they provided the perfect setting for this event.
The 9th ICCRM will take place in Liverpool, UK, June 12-14, 2003.