Recently, the Office of Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, and the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau jointly held a capacity-building workshop at the Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center (CIECC), in collaboration with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Nearly 40 representatives responsible for international conference organization from relevant municipal departments and district-level foreign affairs offices attended the event.
ICCA is a global organization specializing in research on international associations and meetings. In 2024, it established a representative office in Beijing, creating a new bridge for deeper collaboration. This workshop aimed to leverage the resources of international organizations, bringing in advanced global concepts and best practices in conference organization. It also sought to broaden the international outlook of frontline personnel and promote the professional and international development of Beijing’s conference sector with stronger branding, thereby enhancing Beijing’s role as the center for international exchanges.
Case Study: Success Strategies of Popular Conference Cities
“Bidding for and hosting an institutionalized international conference can require up to a decade of preparation. One of the keys to success is leaving a lasting legacy for the host city, with proactive steps and consistent efforts to secure the event,” said Waikin Wong, ICCA’s Senior Regional Director of Asia Pacific. She provided an in-depth overview of the theories and practices involved in bidding for and hosting international conferences, and shared best practices from cities such as Singapore, Tokyo, and Sydney. Her insights offered valuable international perspectives for municipal and district-level professionals directly engaged in conference planning.
Venue Inspection: Immersive Experience of the Bidding Process
Bidding for high-level international conferences is an effective way to attract global resources, with venue inspection being a key step. The workshop was held at the newly inaugurated CIECC, where the venue team guided participants through the actual event flow. This allowed participants to explore the functions of various areas and the venue’s robust facilities that underpin international event hosting. ICCA experts also provided on-site guidance and answered questions such as “what do international experts typically look for during a venue inspection?” and “how can we best promote a venue’s strengths?”
Simulated Practice: Role Play to Inspire Innovative Thinking
During the “International Conference Bidding” simulation camp, participants took on the roles of the local organizing committee, city government agencies, professional conference service providers, and venue operators to simulate the bidding process for the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance (ICTMD) World Conference. Guided by ICCA experts, participants quickly immersed themselves in their roles. Through heated discussions, they challenged conventional thinking and applied newly acquired knowledge to collaboratively develop solutions, resulting in comprehensive outcomes.
Participants’ Feedback: A Highly Practical Training
Participants widely agreed that the workshop brought experts from international organizations directly to their doorstep, providing a valuable platform to broaden perspectives and enhance professional capabilities. Many expressed their commitment to applying what they had learned to their roles, integrating global insights into the planning and organization of international conferences, thereby contributing more to the improvement of Beijing’s conference sector.
Moving forward, Beijing Foreign Affairs Office will continue to deepen practical cooperation with ICCA and other international organizations, attracting top-tier global resources to support the capital’s high-quality development and high-standard opening up.
Further Reading
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), founded in 1963, is a non-governmental international organization headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Annually, ICCA publishes statistical reports and city rankings on international meetings, offering insights into global trends in the conference industry. Recognized as an authoritative organization in the field, ICCA has over 1,100 members across nearly 100 countries and regions, including government agencies, conference service providers, venue operators, and universities in host destinations. In 2024, ICCA officially registered its representative office in Beijing.
