BestCities Global Alliance and Copenhagen Convention Bureau (CCB) are set to investigate what the future holds for associations and association congresses with a focus on creating lasting, positive impact. Exploring the Congress of the Future – Fortifying Impact will be the core theme underlying this year’s BestCities Global Forum, taking place in Copenhagen 8 – 11 December 2019.
Working in collaboration with the Danish Design Centre and the futurologists of Public Futures, BestCities and CCB will develop future scenarios that congresses of 2040 may encounter. The impressive programme of education, insight and networking means participating associations will gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of the emerging challenges facing the meetings industry, and how to build legacy and outreach. Delegates will leave the Global Forum with access to a digital tool for use in the formation of future strategies. As part of BestCities’ commitment to industry advancement initiatives, this tool will also be made accessible to everyone interested. Meaningful event discussions will also form the basis of a white paper with strategic recommendations, to be published in early 2020.
The diverse Global Forum programme will be hosted by David Meade, lecturer and researcher in International business and Strategy at the University of Ulster. The programme includes thought-provoking education sessions, engaging practical workshops, relevant case studies and interactive breakouts challenges, designed to unlock the collective knowledge within the room. A session with Claus Meyer, co-founder of the world’s best restaurant, Noma, is already set to be an event highlight.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to establish relationships with peers and grow global networks, with events such as the Ambassador Dinner, bringing delegates together with influential local ambassadors and key contacts.
The headquarter hotel will be the the luxurious Copenhagen Marriot Hotel, located alongside the Kalvebod Brygge on the harbourfront. Sessions are planned in a variety of venues around the city, allowing participants to experience the best Copenhagen has to offer. They will get to know the Danes, learn about Danish culture, and why the country ranks so high on ‘happiness’ lists. As well as experiencing some of the best culinary offerings in the world, attendees will also discover a true sense of ‘hygge’* at the magical Winter Wonderland at Tivoli Gardens.
The Global Forum allows delegates to collaborate together and gain an in-depth knowledge of 12 superb meeting destinations under one roof, with City Café meetings and social networking with the BestCities’ partners: Berlin, Bogotá, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Houston, Madrid, Melbourne, Singapore, Tokyo and Vancouver.
BestCities Managing Director, Paul Vallee said:
“Central to the ethos of BestCities is the strengthening of global connections across cultures. As an alliance of 12 partners based around the world, we believe that working closely together lets us create lasting, positive impact for both our cities and our clients too. The global meetings industry is fast-paced and ever-changing.
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“Our impressive programme of education, insight and networking at the fourth annual Global Forum will address the opportunities and challenges the future has in store for global associations and congresses industry. Our world-class speakers, workshops and networking sessions will provide participants with informed strategic advice and practical tools that they can work into their long-term strategies.
Kit Lykketoft, Director of Convention for Wonderful Copenhagen and Board Member of the BestCities Global Alliance said:
“We have already set out on the journey to build in-depth researched scenarios engaging with the global industry in the process leading up to the Global Forum. We wish for the Copenhagen Global Forum to have a lasting impact and to bring the global conversation to an highly informed level. BestCities is a thought-leading alliance and we want to share and co-create with the entire industry. Only through collaboration true impact is this possible. Legacy comes from ambition and the ability to take on new perspectives.”
Last year’s BestCities Global Forum in Bogotá was celebrated as an overwhelming success, with 100% of delegates surveyed reporting the Global Forum fulfilled their main objectives for attending and that they would recommend it to their international association meeting planners.
Speaking about the experience of the 2018 Global Forum in Bogotá, Wesley Benn, Executive Chairman of Digital Built Environment Institute said:
“As a new attendee to the Global Forum I was deeply impressed by the organisation of the event, it’s relevance to my networking, development and education needs, and the sense of community and connection that it fostered among attendees. I would strongly recommend this event to other associations looking for ways to expand their networks and their responsiveness to changing environments.”
Registration for the BestCities Global Forum Copenhagen is now open, with 35 places available to qualified international association executives. There is no cost to attend, with round-trip flights, accommodation and meals for all attending qualified international association executives covered by BestCities.
