European Cities Marketing (ECM) has launched its 35th edition of the ECM Summer School, which will take place online on August 24-26, 2021. After 33 physical editions dedicated to the newcomers in the Industry, ECM Summer School adapted last year to established professionals with strategic discussions on the resilience of our sector.
„In this current context, all generations need upskilling and a proper preparation for the coming revamp of the Meetings Industry in the wave of digital/hybrid events that affects all the professionals working in convention bureaux, DMOs, hotels, PCOs, DMCs, airlines as well as corporate planners, association executives or meeting professionals“, Pier Paolo Mariotti, ECM Summer School Course Director, says.
Interactive discussions will focus on the themes of people (inclusivity, diversity, wellbeing at work…), places (destination legislation, virtual & hybrid events, legacy, sustainability…) and business (bidding, business plans for virtual events, data, keeping business during a pandemic, tradeshows…).
The faculty are all members or partners of ECM and give their time on a voluntary basis – a way of giving back to the Meetings Industry: Richard Allchild, Senior Sales Manager, IMEX Group ; Guy Bigwood, Managing Director, Global Destination Sustainability Movement & GuBi Consulting ; Rob Davidson, Managing Director, MICE Knowledge ; Benjamin Dunster, Head of Partnerships, Reed Travel Exhibitions ; Angela Graun, Senior Director, Head of Meetings & Events EMEA, Radisson Hotel Group ; Olivier Henry-Biabaud, Managing Director, TCI Research ; Jenny Holland, Sales Manager IBTM World & WIRED, Reed Travel Exhibitions ; Barbara Jamison-Woods, Head of Business Development Europe, London & Partners ; Sam Johnston, Manager, Convention Bureaux of Ireland ; Catherine Kalamidas, Account Manager Congresses, Rotterdam Partners ; Cain Leathem, Exercise & Nutrition Consultant, IMEX Group, GB Fitness ; Sissi Lygnou, CEO Operations & Devt. PCO Services, AFEA Travel & Congress Services ; Heike Mahmoud, CMP, Chief Operating Officer, CCH – Congress Center Hamburg ; Pier Paolo Mariotti, CMM, CMP, Meeting Manager, EURAC Research Bolzano – Course Director ; Christian Mutschlechner, Member of the Board of Directors, Congrex Switzerland & former Director, Vienna Convention Bureau ; Miguel Neves, CMP, Editor-in-chief, EventMB ; David Peacock, Senior Advisor Future Tourism Group, Simpleview Inc. ; Riccardo Pizzuti, Sales & Marketing Manager, Roma&Lazio Convention Bureau ; Olivier Ponti, Vice-President Insights, ForwardKeys ; Annamaria Ruffini, President & CEO, Events In & Out ; Mathias Sondermann, Senior Director Head of Events Programs & Experience, SAP ; Petra Stušek, CEO, Visit Ljubljana & President, European Cities Marketing ; Katarina Thorstensson, Smart Tourism & Sustainability Strategist, Göteborg & Co ; Daniel Waigl, Executive Director, CIRSE ; plus representatives from Best Cities, IAPCO and Wonderful Copenhagen.
“We aim to bring the industry professionals closer, share perspectives and strengthen networks in these challenging times when collaboration is key with the help of the most qualified and senior Meetings Industry experts,” says Petra Stušek, ECM President.
