– Including exclusive keynote Dr Martin Frick –

IBTM World Barcelona, due to take place in-person this year at Fira, Barcelona, from 30 November to 2 December 2021, has revealed the first details of its bespoke Association Programme, scheduled for the first day of the event.

This year for the first time the Association Programme has been created with the support of the four main global organisations for association professionals: European Society of Association Executives (ESAE), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), African Society of Association Executives (AfSAE), and Asia-Pacific Federation of Association Organizations (APFAO), as well as the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

The afternoon will follow three core themes: inspire, exchange and solve, designed to spark fresh ideas, encourage peer to peer learning and sharing of best practice, and deliver tangible solutions to real issues facing the associations and events sector now. The tailored programme includes case studies, speeches and panel sessions from some of the leading organisations in the association sector.

There will be a special keynote presentation by the Deputy to the Special Envoy for the UN Food Systems Summit 2021 at United Nations, Dr Martin Frick. Exclusive to the Associations Programme, Dr Frick will present a talk titled: ‘UN Food Systems Summit 2021: Driving systemic and sustainable change’, where he will investigate the legacy and key learnings from this unique event taking place in New York in September.

In addition, ‘The Presidents Talk’ will bring together the four presidents of the ESAE, AfSAE, APFAO and ASAE: Mike Morrissey (ESAE), Jeffers Miruka (AfSAE), Octavio ‘Bobby’ Peralta (APFAO), and Michelle Mason (ASAE), for an open discussion on their COVID learnings and future challenges, with an insightful exploration into the different regions and types of associations. The exploration will continue with association leaders from around the world sharing a peer-to-peer exchange of good practice, with a focus on two types of association: trade and professional societies.

The day will close with association experts presenting solutions and useful tips on four key topics: Technology, Facilitation, Pricing and Legacy. Split into two sessions, speakers include association leaders Senthil Gopinath (ICCA), Zena Burgess (APS), Alessandro Cortese (ESTRO / AIP), Chloé Menhinick (ICA / Gaining Edge), Lynda J. Patterson (AMPED), Jane Cunningham (Best Cities Global Alliance) and Charlie Villasenor (PASIA).

Octavio ‘Bobby’ Peralta, President, APFAO, Founder & CEO, PCAAE, says: “The Asia-Pacific Federation of Association Organizations (APFAO) is delighted to be part of the IBTM World 2021 association knowledge programme for this great and unique opportunity to interact with the global association community in sharing experiences, learning from each other, and celebrating achievements during this unprecedented time.”

Stylianos Filopoulos, IBTM World Barcelona’s Association Knowledge Program Curator says: “We want to create a unique time and space during the first day of the IBTM World where association professionals will be able to connect, exchange ideas with peers and explore the show with new friends and a new mindset. The program builds on the experience, creativity, and diversity of the speakers and of the audience to showcase and inspire new ways of working.”

For more information and to register for the event, please click here.