The memorandum of understanding was inked at the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) being held in Melbourne this week.
The recently launched Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) is looking to leverage the international expertise of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) on major issues affecting the local and global business events communities.
The associations will work together in three areas – diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), sustainability and legacy and talent development and retention.
The collaboration will deliver a white paper on the impacts and opportunities for multiculturalism in the industry, facilitate information sharing through DEI and legacy case studies and give the Australian industry increased access to ICCA’s professional development programs. ICCA will also help ABEA with an emerging leaders challenge, platformed at AIME.
“We know our members are needing to embed DEI principles, sustainability, and develop talent to thrive in the competitive marketplace,” said ABEA chair, Peter King.
“Our partnership with ICCA is designed to provide unparalleled opportunities for our members, and the sector, to tackle these challenges head on.
“No one organisation can do this on their own. By joining forces with ICCA, the global community and knowledge hub for the international association meetings industry, we can pool our resources and focus to achieve the outcomes we all need.”
The MoU is set to be in place until at least December 2026, when it will be reassessed.
“We are delighted to work with the Australian Business Events Association team to take strong, practical, and impactful steps to supporting the success of the Australian industry,” said ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath. “ICCA brings world-class programs, connections and experience that we willingly share with our Australian colleagues. This is an exciting partnership, and we look forward to its ensuing success.”
