The second day of Ljubljana Talks started with Sven Bossu, CEO of AIPC (International Association of Convention Centres.) He shared his career transition from the financial sector to association management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sven highlighted the evolving value proposition of AIPC, which now includes initiatives like a Cybersecurity Task Force, sustainability working groups, and talent programs to address the challenges faced by convention centers.
The main challenges facing convention centers today, according to Sven, are sustainability, exclusivity, and creating individual experiences. Regarding AI in convention centers, Sven said:
“AI can be used for a lot of things in convention centers. It can be used for intelligent marketing, but it also can be used for predictive maintenance of buildings, which is big, because if you do that, it’s far more efficient, and once again, the resources are used far more cost-effectively. But I think the biggest challenge that a convention centre has for AI is defining the problem which it will fix.”
Sven touched on the growth of international membership in AIPC and the importance of sharing knowledge between members.
The guest that followed after that, was José G. Aguarod, the Co-founder Sports & Events World and Eventoplus. José’s talk provided a comprehensive overview of the sports events industry and its relationship with the broader meetings sector. Drawing from his 25 years of experience, Aguarod highlighted how his agency recognized sports events as a distinct and important segment within the MICE industry, creating a dedicated team to handle them.
Aguarod emphasized the unique aspects of sports events, including their mass appeal and extensive media coverage, which set them apart from other types of events like scientific congresses. He touched on the challenges both sports and meetings industries faced during the pandemic, often being overlooked by authorities. The universal acceptance of sports values and their positive societal impact were underscored, along with the strong business-to-consumer element in sports events.
“We believe that we organize events to change things or to better things, or to improve knowledge, or to, you know, generate creativity, generate ideas, make a better world”.
He concluded by noting the strategic advantage of having major industry events like IBTM in Barcelona, providing valuable exposure and networking opportunities for local businesses in the events sector.
“We need to shift to a regenerative mindset, where we’re regenerating and fixing the systemic problems, not just trying to sustain the problems that got us into this mess.”
He also spoke about the progress in sustainability across global destinations, particularly in Northern Europe, and the challenges faced by countries in the Global South. While acknowledging Europe’s leadership in sustainability, he highlighted the rapid advancements in places like Singapore and Dubai, challenging the notion that European methods are the only valid ones.
Next up on Ljubljana Talks was Connor Bryant from Rubbish Ideas. He discussed the concept of a circular economy, emphasizing the importance of reducing waste and rethinking resource consumption. He challenged the traditional notion of waste and advocated for utilizing materials from discarded products, rather than extracting new resources from the environment.
“Viewing something as waste is where we’ve lost the mission. It should never be considered waste. It’s not a waste. It’s a resource.”
Connor also highlighted the role of measurement and responsibility in addressing environmental impact, especially within industries like event management. He pointed out that while regulations are essential, innovation in sustainability should be embraced. Finally, Connor reflected on the potential of younger generations to lead the way in environmental stewardship.
After Connor, followed a surprise guest. Dejan Bogdanov, from Vekol DMC, shared insights into the growing appeal of Serbia as an event destination, highlighting several exciting developments. Serbia is becoming a major hub for international conferences, thanks to new infrastructure like the St. Regis Hotel and the largest convention center in the region. Bogdanov emphasized the importance of sustainability in events, noting the shift toward eco-friendly practices, such as reduced transportation emissions and sustainable venue choices.
Next up on Ljubljana Talks, Gorazd and Jan had the opportunity to speak to Angela Guillemet from INCON. The discussion highlighted the importance of associations in fostering community and learning, emphasizing the transformative power of in-person meetings post-pandemic. The conversation covered the collaborative relationship between destinations, PCOs, and associations, noting the significance of listening and seamless collaboration. Talking about AI, Angela stated that
“So many of us are very busy people, and we often difficult to do everything in a day. And I think that this technology is helping us. It’s actual administration assistance, but it’s also helping us to think about things in a creative way and think about things in a different way than the way we would have done it in the past.”
The role of AI in enhancing efficiency and creativity was discussed, along with the need for sustainability efforts and the impact of regulations like SRS legislation.
The next guests on Ljubljana Talks were Samantha Pérez & Miriam Pijuan from Mice Logic and Sergi Verdejo from Padcelona. The discussion highlighted the potential and current state of AI in the business events industry. Key points included the necessity of AI for customer-driven presentations and proposals, with early adopters already integrating AI for automation and optimization. ROI on AI investments varies by project and adoption level. AI tools enhance networking by providing faster, better services but won’t replace in-person events. The industry is undergoing a transformation focused on technology, sustainability, impact, and talent to remain relevant. Concerns about job displacement were addressed, noting historical examples where new technologies created new jobs. Personalization and real-time engagement enhancement through AI were also discussed.
The next gues was Mònica Molina a DEI Consultant at DEI Consultoria. The conversation focused on the importance of experience in events, the role of technology in improving accessibility, and the challenges surrounding sustainability and inclusivity in event planning. It was emphasized that events were memorable primarily for the experiences they offered, with a need to cater to diverse audiences, including those with disabilities.
Technology played a key role in enhancing accessibility, such as enabling visually impaired individuals to present using PowerPoint. The link between experience design and sustainability was also highlighted, with particular attention given to the importance of social sustainability. Concerns were raised about the reliability of self-reported dietary preferences at events, questioning whether the emphasis on inclusivity was becoming diluted. There was a strong argument for inclusive design that served everyone, with the belief that investing in inclusive practices benefited all participants.
The last guest for the second day of Ljubljana Talks was Ponchia Annalisa, a sustainability manager at AIM Group International. She discussed the current state of the meetings industry in 2024 by stating that
“The meetings industry in 2024 is defined by a balance of transformation and resilience, with a strong focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and leveraging technology to enhance the participant and attendee experience at events.”
Challenges such as climate change, social and geopolitical issues, and economic pressures are significant factors shaping the industry. Sustainability within organizations is guided by standards like ISO 20121, with differences in how corporate and association clients approach sustainability. The issue of greenwashing was addressed, along with the need for accountability and the complexities of measuring scope 3 emissions. The conversation also highlighted the varying levels of sustainability awareness across regions and the growing emphasis on regenerative practices.
Ljubljana Talks continues tomorrow from 10:00h. Check the programme and speaker here.
