Within the
framework of the 58th Congress of the International Congress & Convention
Association ICCA which is taking place these days in Houston (the USA) Alexey Kalachev,
Director of the Russian Convention Bureau, joined the Board of Directors of
ICCA and became the co-chairperson of
the Destination Marketing sector.
For the first time in more
than half a century of ICCA history, the representative of Russia joined the
Board of Directors of one of the most reputable organizations in the world
congress industry. This fact takes to a new level the progress of Russia at the
international arena and plays the important role in the development of the
congress market and business tourism in the country.
Anton
Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, noted: «Election of the Russian candidate to the Board
of Directors of the largest international industry structure proves that the Russian
Convention Bureau has become a full-fledged participant in the meetings
industry market not only in our country but throughout the whole world. Now our
country will have the opportunity to formulate a sectoral agenda at the
international level and actively participate in the congress industry
development including the business tourism segment. The work of the Russian
Convention Bureau within the governing bodies of the International Congress
& Convention Association ICCA will give the opportunity to make an
effective contribution to strengthening the countrys position in the
international arena and will be an additional tool for developing the domestic
market of business events.»
Alexey
Kalachev, Director of the Russian Convention Bureau, commented: «It is a great honor for me
personally and for the Russian Convention Bureau to be elected to the ICCA
Board of Directors. This is the opportunity to propose and implement the important
initiatives for the event industry in Russia and in the world. One of our
initiatives will be creation on the basis of ICCA of the competence center a
marketing hub based on the best practices and industry standards. At the same
time, it is important to create a Russian version of the ICCA website so that
more members including companies from Russia and the CIS countries have access
to valuable expert knowledge on the meeting industry in their native language.
Currently, out of 7,000 Russian companies only 22 are members of ICCA and enjoy
all the benefits of working with the International Association. Therefore, one
of my tasks will be to increase the number of the Russian companies the ICCA
members.»
Russian Convention Bureau was established in November
2017 with support of the Government of the Russian Federation for the effective
development of the country event industry, integration into the global meeting
industry.
The founders of the Bureau are: Roscongress Foundation which is socially oriented non-financial
development institute, the largest organizer of international, congress,
exhibition and public events; Russian
Export Center JSC which is the state institute
for the non-resource export supports; International Foundation of Technology
and Investment, IFTI which is a non-profit, non-governmental
organization created to support the development of science, culture, education and
social activities in Russia; R&C Exhibition and Research Center which
is the only company in Russia providing a full
range of marketing and consulting services in the event industry.
Details on the official website of the Russian Convention Bureau: www.russiacb.com
International
Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
ICCA, International Congress
& Convention Association, was founded in 1963 by the group of travel agents. Its
first and the most important goal was to evaluate the practical ways of
involving the tourism industry in the fast-growing market of the international
conferences and to ensure the exchange of relevant information related to the
operations in this market. Today, ICCA is one of the most respected
organizations in the field of international conferences. Uniting more than
1,100 members in 100 countries around the world, this Association has global
industry coverage. ICCA headquarter is located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
ICCA also has offices in South Africa, Malaysia, Dubai, the USA and Uruguay.
The main goal of ICCA is to promote development of the congress industry and
business tourism. Membership in the organization provides maximum business
opportunities for the Association members.