IBTM World’s Forum for Advocacy agenda announced

The forum, which has the widespread support of leading event industry organisations, is in an exciting position to act as a catalyst for change and amplify the existing debate around the issues of event advocacy. PCMA, ICCA, the events industry council and The Strategic Alliance of The National Convention Bureaux of Europe are the associations that have welcomed this initiative, along with the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), City Destinations Alliance, and The Iceberg.

IBTM World’s Forum for Advocacy will be opened by IBTM World Exhibition Director Claudia Hal. Sherrif Karamat, President and CEO of the PCMA, will speak about the role, position and purpose of the industry. Following his speech, Sarah Fleming, CEO of SFA Connect, will discuss the key findings of the latest World Destination Report. Eloísa Urrutia, Director of Global Meetings and Events Sustainability at American Express Global Business Travel, and Christoph Tessmar, Director of the Barcelona Convention Bureau, will discuss how business events can counter the challenges of overtourism and climate change by contributing positively to local economies.

The forum will close with a debate on the political agenda to agree on what the business events sector stands for and where it can unlock the greatest potential.

Following the forum, attendees will have the opportunity to continue informal discussions at the Meetings Leadership Network reception. From 3pm on Tuesday 19 November, the results of this meeting will be discussed in more detail on the Impact Stage at IBTM World.