With the March (3/11) crisis in Japan occurring during the final planning stages, incorporating a session on Crisis and Risk Management was particularly apt and, whilst not in any way related to the terrible occurrences to the country of our colleagues and friends, it was evident that the recent horrors were not far from anyone’s minds.

Another key session new to the curriculum included Negotiating Skills, expertly led by Jan Tonkin of The Conference Company, New Zealand, guiding the participants through the minefield of winning negotiation.

Philippe Fournier, of MCI France, included Funding and Financial Management in his in-depth briefing on current matters of successful fiscal administration. “The Seminar was a great success” added Philippe in his presidential capacity “but at this time our thoughts are also with our colleagues in Japan who, along with all their countrymen and women, are having to manage their crisis everyday”.

Said IAPCO member, Congress Corporation, “Congress Corporation would like to express our gratitude for all of the encouraging messages conveying your warm support, which we have received since the earthquake and tsunami of March 11th. We and all of our colleagues in the MICE industry in Japan are keeping our spirits high and look forward to continuing to welcome a wide variety of conferences and events to Japan.”