In total, 18 business events professionals from New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, and India took part in the three-day ICCASkills training event hosted at Te Pae Christchurch Convention & Exhibition Centre (Sept 10-12).
The sessions were facilitated by ICCA’s (the International Congress & Convention Association) expert international instructors Deanna Varga from Australia and Juan José García from Spain. Following their exams, attendees will receive CICE (Certified International Convention Executive) accreditation, aimed at senior professionals with management experience.
ICCA instructor Juan José García said: “Over three days, key business events leaders have come together in New Zealand to shape the future of business events in the Asia Pacific, exchanging cutting-edge insights and best practices from across the globe. The quality of New Zealand’s ICCASkills programme marks a pivotal moment in fostering innovation and collaboration on a regional scale.“
“This training programme provided an opportunity for New Zealand’s event professionals, enabling them to build their capabilities, network with their peers, and help grow our share of business events.”
Tourism New Zealand supported the training with an ICCASkills scholarship programme, giving New Zealand business events professionals the chance to undertake the certification by sharing costs with the scholarship recipient’s employer.
Tourism New Zealand Global Manager Business Events Penelope Ryan said: “Business events are a key part of Tourism New Zealand’s strategy to attract visitors to New Zealand year-round, with particular focus on growing arrivals in the off-peak season.
“This training programme provided a valuable professional development opportunity for New Zealand’s event professionals, enabling them to build their capabilities, network with their peers, and help grow our share of business events.”
Those undertaking the course enjoyed a welcome event and site visit at Te Pae Christchurch Convention & Exhibition Centre, with the international delegates also enjoying a Christchurch city experience with support from Christchurch NZ. The ICCA international staff and tutors also took the opportunity to inspect New Zealand’s other new conference infrastructure: the NewZealand International Convention Centre, with support from the Auckland Convention Bureau, and Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre, in conjunction with Business Events Wellington.
