Director of Barcelona Convention Bureau, Christoph Tessmar, will replace Marta Gomes, the executive director of the sales division for Paris venue group, Viparis, as president of the global convention association.
Tessmar has been leading the Spanish bureau for over 14 years and spent 12 years prior to that as a congress manager.
He was elected by ICCA’s membership after both he and Eyal Halevy, CEO of PCO Paragon Global, were put forward as candidates for the presidency.
“ICCA’s strength has always come from the people who make up our global community and the connections we create across borders, sectors and perspectives,” said ICCA CEO, Dr Senthil Gopinath.
“I am delighted to welcome Christoph as our new president at such an important moment for our association and our industry.
“Together, we have an opportunity to build on the progress we have made, strengthen ICCA’s position as the global leader in advocacy for the business events industry and demonstrate even more clearly the value international association meetings bring to economies, communities and society.
“I look forward to working closely with Christoph and our board as we turn our shared ambition into meaningful impact for our members and the wider industry.”
Currently underway in Panama City in Central America, the 2026 ICCA Congress has 1,268 delegates attending from 80 countries.
Over the next few days speakers and delegates at the congress will explore industry progress, sustainability, artificial intelligence, frameworks for engaging with academic communities, networking formats, using business events to catalyse investment, shaping event ecosystems, international event bidding, connecting and working with startups and event impact.
