Zagreb hosted the 30th edition of the ECM Summer School on August 27-31, 2016, providing evidence of the importance of education to face the continuing changes of the Meetings Industry.
This year, the Summer School educated 56 students from 17 different countries. The set-up of the event enabled maximum interaction between students and 15 experienced meeting professionals, challenged in plenary sessions, group work, networking or socializing.
The programme sets out the background and up to date context of the industry (key players, exhibitions, press, social media, sustainability, clients, intermediaries, RFP and decision making processes) with a focus on European and international best practices.
“In my opinion ECM Summer School is an important experience to which every junior worker should participate. It was a good experience because I met a lot of new people that will be the future of the Meetings Industry. Furthermore the training of ECM faculty is really high! ECM Summer School is the perfect experience if you want to improve your skills.” said Teresa Santoro, Junior Communication Assistant at Firenze Convention & Visitors Bureau and student during this 30th ECM Summer School in Zagreb.
“We live in a constant changing world, and the Meetings Industry is no exception. Ongoing Education in the Meetings Industry is success factor for future business, whether you represent an important or second tiered destination. To me it’s a crucial task for top management in each organisation, whether it is a CVB, tourist office, congress centre, airline, hotel, DMC, PCO or meeting planner, to train every employee continuously”, outlines Bettina Bunge, ECM Vice-President for the Meetings Industry, CEO and Managing Director of Dresden Marketing Board.
The ECM Summer School qualifies for CMP certification: every student getting a ECM Summer School diploma also gets 17.75 Clock Hours for their overall CMP certification.
Mariotti concluded: “I am looking forward to the next edition which will be held in Dresden (Germany) from August 26-30, 2017 where we will carry on the legacy of the ECM Summer School!”
