ICCA celebrates game-changing 62nd Congress in Bangkok

Across four magical days in Bangkok, the 62nd ICCA Congress (12 – 15 Nov 2023) emerged as a beacon of industry leadership, innovation, and advocacy for the international meetings and events industry.

In a record-breaking ICCA Congress for the APAC region – and the third largest congress in ICCA history – 1,123 participants from 80 countries and territories gathered at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) to think, plan, and challenge what it means to be an effective and impactful global industry. Thought-leaders, keynote speakers, and people of international renown – such as former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon – made this an experience few would ever forget.

The theme of It Starts With Us allowed ICCA to approach congress differently this year by treating everyone as a first timer. With 44 educational sessions, and 86 Associations in attendance, real knowledge sharing and key relationship building was integral to a successful outcome. With a particular focus on Sustainability; Legacy; DEI; and Innovation, ICCA set a transformative and wholly inclusive agenda, best exemplified during daily Sharing Hubs; 360 minutes of participant-led co-creation, the seeds of which will grow into plans and processes that will shape our industry agenda for the coming years.

“It was a remarkable working and cultural experience being together in the captivating city of Bangkok” adds ICCA CEO, Senthil Gopinath. “We created an experience where content, spectacle, collaboration, and possibility came together in harmony. We took on and tackled the big subjects – from AI to talent development – giving our members the discussion areas and action points they need to grow and thrive. My sincere gratitude to all involved in making such an ambitious event possible; from the whole ICCA team to our partners and sponsors, especially QSNCC, TCEB and the wonderful people of Bangkok. The 62nd ICCA Congress will be seen as a step change for ICCA and our global community and will truly reinforce and celebrate that we are indeed, stronger than ever.”

TCEB President, Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya continues: “TCEB and ICCA Thailand members are delighted that Thailand played a part in making the 62nd ICCA Congress in Bangkok one of the largest gatherings of the ICCA community. With a record of 1,123 attendances, it has become the largest ICCA event Asia Pacific ever held. But what’s more important is that we all have exercised our best efforts in enabling a congress to meet the global calls since we share the ambitious goals with ICCA in producing measurable environmental and social responsibility that will further strengthen future congresses. By reducing carbon emission through domestic activities and using sustainable food sourcing and food waste management as a model for the 2024 edition where The Bangkok Pledge on Gastronomy Sustainability by ICCA will be launched. These are definitely the legacies of the 62nd ICCA Congress in Bangkok, and I hope this boosts our inspiration to create a better global meetings community. Thank you ICCA again for trusting Thailand”.

ICCA will be publishing a 62nd Congress Sustainability Report in due course and would also like to highlight the legacy initiative of the time spent in Bangkok with the launch of the Bangkok Pledge on Gastronomy Sustainability by ICCA. This model (in collaboration with TCEB) will provide the basis for sustainable food sourcing and food waste management for events in 2024 and beyond.