Home NEWS New dates set for Geneva International Association Forum

New dates set for Geneva International Association Forum

Sep 8, 2020

geneva_association_forum — Photo Credit: GIAF

The Geneva International Association Forum was launched by the ASSOCIATONWORLD Foundation, in collaboration with the Geneva Convention Bureau and Congrex Switzerland, earlier this year.

The much-expected two-day event will bring together representatives of international and European associations, non-profit organisations, federations, professional societies, NGO’s and universities. Its primary goal is to establish an annual international leading platform for knowledge sharing in one of the world’s flagship host destinations for associations, Geneva.

The COVID-19 pandemic remains highly active and unpredictable. Over the last days, we have therefore carefully analysed the situation and worked closely with all relevant stakeholders and GIAF partners, amongst them being the Barcelona Convention Bureau, ICCA and Fielddrive, to consider a range of possibilities. We can therefore inform that due to the given latest rise in numbers in the Geneva area especially, we have decided to move GIAF to the 5-6 November this year.

Kai Troll

President of ASSOCIATIONWORLD

“Whilst most delegates are Geneva-based attendees (or from the area), the health and safety of our associations’ peers and friends as well as of our speakers is the utmost importance. And people should feel comfortable to attend a public event such as GIAF. Given the developments, we couldn’t guarantee that and a timely decision is therefore necessary. Running GIAF virtually would theoretically be an option. However, our philosophy has always been that GIAF shall be the, or one of the very first events, to bring back association friends and colleagues together again. In any case, GIAF will be a hybrid event and people from outside Switzerland can join from wherever they are. We are promoting a #RiskFreeRegistration for GIAF and according to that motto, we have of course offered all registries who are unable to join GIAF on the new date a full refund and we have communicated that to each individual in a personal message”, says Kai Troll, President of ASSOCIATIONWORLD and spokesperson of GIAF.

“We offer a fantastic programme, which will remain as much as possible, perhaps with slight adjustments here and there, if necessary. Together with our hospitality partner, the InterContinental Geneva, we go beyond the regular measures and procedures to ensure your health and safety at GIAF. In our mind, each individual attending will make a positive difference to other association peers. Benefitting from the valuable exchange, sharing our experiences and learnings, establish new partnership and hopefully creating more of an association community that remains aligned. Each and everyone attending will make GIAF complete”, Troll adds.