Destination - CIM

[icca Industry]Shanghai FiveThe 52nd ICCA Congress offers remarkably deep insight into the Country of Contrasts. Over 900 attendees break therecord for a non-European congress.n Fire. Having to hand in his lighter for security reasons at the entranceto Shanghai International Convention Centre, ChristianMutschlechner, head of Vienna Convention Bureau, is “not amused”at first. Before the 52nd ICCA Congress in Shanghai from 2 to 6 Novembercan kick off, delegates have to undergo security screening.But they soon cheer up again on meeting lots of familiar faces in theconvention centre. No ICCA Congress outside Europe has ever attracted935 delegates before. The International Congress and ConventionAssociation (ICCA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in theChinese metropolis of Shanghai this year, kicking down an open doorwith its members. “This is a good time to be meeting in Asia. Withina few years, based on current trends, a quarter of ICCA members willbe based in this region,” explains ICCA President Arnaldo Nardonebefore the event. “China is powering growth across the whole AsiaPacific region. One of the most important reasons for meeting here inShanghai is to gain an understanding of what this means.”Photo: ICCACIM 6/201349