LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (April 10, 2014) — IACC
The 33rd IACC-Americas Annual Conference hit the West Coast and members turned up in force to Catch the Wave.
At this year’s conference, hosted by the Pacific Palms Resort & Spa, we saw a new line-up designed to help delegates prepare for future success. They experienced the very best of keynote sessions, workshops that became ‘standing room only’ sessions and crammed in as much learning as they possibly could over two days. The event commenced with an incredible display of West Coast regional culinary fare served under the LA stars at the welcoming reception.
The education programme got underway on Wednesday morning with a highly lauded session by Cindy Novotny. Cindy challenged the audience to join her in living life in an unbalanced and unrelenting way and warned, “Hotels copied the CMP, tables and chairs, now it is time for IACC members to deliver that point of difference in innovative ways, including exciting food and beverage programmes”. To view Cindy’s powerful keynote, visit the IACC YouTube Channel: http://youtu.be/6Ac2Imf2wKM
Thursday’s keynote presenter, MCI’s Group Learning and Development Director, Avinash Chandarana gave the delegates an inspirational story of his cultural journey and just how multiculturalism is applicable to the meetings industry and IACC members. He drove home the message that not appreciating cultural differences in our business relationships would guarantee failure. Put simply, Avinash provided IACC members with evidence and a clear message that “Culture Eats Business Strategy for Breakfast!”
IACC members who attended this year’s conference were treated to two days chock-full of stimulating workshops on topics ranging from “12 Case Studies of IACC Member Innovations” and “Aspen Institute Leadership Workshop” to “Leading the Service Philosophy” and “Doing Better Business with Third Parties”.
Delegates had an opportunity to “preview” some of the day’s sessions by bringing a few presenters onstage at General Sessions to present TED-style ICE Talks as teasers for their longer sessions later in the day. To download hand-outs and/or presentation materials from those sessions for which presenters have made them available, click here: http://www.cvent.com/events/iacc-americas-2014-annual-conference/custom-37-96ffac6dca0247838386a0a3f930a552.aspx
In line with IACC’s goal to reduce waste and deliver sustainable meetings and events, delegates kept track of the sessions, viewed delegate and speaker info and gave feedback through the IACC Event App.
According to the post-conference survey, these “first’s” succeeded. More than 98% of respondents were “satisfied” or better with their conference experience. 82% downloaded the conference app, and more than 93% found it valuable. Over 96% rated the ICE Talks as valuable. Perhaps more significant, though, are ratings conferees gave for their satisfaction with what the conference delivers: almost 85% said it delivered new perspectives or skills. Better than 92% said they would take away creative ideas. Just over 96% indicated it met their networking needs. And a whopping 98% said they felt they gained knowledge.
One conferee commented “Congratulations on a successful 2014 IACC Americas Conference. Our entire team truly enjoyed the hospitality of the venue along with the general sessions, workshops, and social events.”
The Annual Conference Planning Committee always puts in hundreds of hours of volunteer and staff time in the effort to make the IACC-Americas conference a success. This year was no different in the enormous dedication of our Conference Champions to their assignments, who conscientiously applied a new slant on everything from content, programming to scheduling. IACC-Americas Chapter President, TJ Fimmano, echoed that sentiment at the closing banquet. He also spoke of the tremendous energy at this year’s conference and the fantastic job that the Pacific Palms team had done to welcome and look after IACC delegates at this year’s conference. He said, “It is clear that the Americas chapter has the energy and passion to deliver creative and innovative learning and events throughout 2014!”
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact: Mark Cooper
Company: IACC
e-mail: mcooper@iacconline.org
