Main Theme:
"Mediterranean on the Move: Leveraging Key Competitive Values"
Day 1 – June 2nd
19:00
Welcome Dinner
Venue: Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM)
Day 2 – June 3rd Venue: Istanbul Chamber of Commerce
09:15
Official Opening
• Şekib Avdagiç - Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, President
• Riccardo Pizzuti & Dimitirs Ganitis, ICCA Mediterranean Chapter Co-Chairs
09:30
Introduction session
• Milos Milovanović - GainingEdge Partner & Consultant
10:00
Panel 1: Developing superb facility package or why to invest in the meeting infrastructure: hotels and venues perspective
Leading conference destinations boast a strong meeting infrastructure comprising a major congress center surrounded by upscale hotels providing extensive accommodation for large-scale events. These cities prioritize conference business and position themselves as hubs of business, knowledge, and academic excellence, which requires tailored destination marketing strategies. Our panel will delve into the motivations driving investments in such facilities and the expectations of hotels and venues from other industry stakeholders in crafting collaborative strategies to ensure the validation of their investments.
Panelists:
• Armin Zerunyan – Hilton Worldwide, Country General Manager Turkey
• Kristina Milinčić – Sava Congress Centre Belgrade, General Manager
• Dr. Kyriakos Porzikidis - Helexpo SA, Managing Director
10:45
Panel 2: Managing association business and congresses in South Europe – key advantages and challenges: PCO and AMC perspective
In recent years, there has been a rise in the price competitiveness of Southern European destinations. However, decision-makers may still prefer destinations in the North and West of the continent, possibly influenced by other competitive factors. We will engage in discussions with prominent conference organizers (PCOs and AMCs) to explore the advantages and challenges they face when organizing their meetings in the Mediterranean region, comparing them with other European destinations.
Panelists:
• Hasan Eker – TÜRSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies) Headquarters Deputy Chairman of the Board
• Julieta Trifonova – Kenes International, Director Sofia Office & Account Manager Original Events
• Sissi Lignou – President & CEO AFEA Congress, President, HAPCO & DES, President Elect, IAPCO
11:30 - 11:45
Coffee Break
11:45 - 12:30
Panel 3: Ingredients for Success: Capturing the Essence of Your Destination – perfect event planning & site inspections
Mediterranean destinations boast a rich history and cultural heritage, along with numerous hidden gems and treasures that offer unforgettable experiences to meeting participants. However, crafting a perfect program aimed at conveying the destination's essence and values within a limited timeframe demands exceptional skill and professionalism in event planning and the presentation of the destination. To this end, we will discuss and seek guidance from esteemed professionals with extensive expertise across various aspects of our industry, offering diverse perspectives and insights.
Panelists:
• Handan Boyce – Handan Boyce Consultancy
• Valentini Amarantidou – Artion Conferences & Events, Development Director
• Ambra Lee Agnoletti - Minor Hotels Europe & Americas, Director of Business Development - Director of Sales Italy
• Feyhan Kapralı – TEKSER Tourism, Managing Partner
12:30 - 13:00
ICCA Session: Education & Business Intelligence
• Efi Koudeli – ICCA Manager Europe
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
14:15 - 15:00
Inspirational Session
• Başar DEMİREL - M.I.C.E. Supervisor, Turkish Airlines
15:00 - 15:45
Panel 4: Marketing Cultural Heritage as a key value of Mediterranean Destinations
The Mediterranean stands as the birthplace of European civilization, with many destinations boasting an enduring and remarkable cultural heritage that attracts millions of visitors. Amidst challenges such as over-tourism, seasonal and price fluctuations, and crowds, it becomes imperative to position the destination as an ideal venue for meetings and conventions. We will explore strategies for leveraging our rich cultural heritage as a primary value during discussions with representatives from historic Mediterranean metropolises.
Panelists:
• Natasha Kefala - This is Athens Convention Bureau, International Meetings Manager
• Monica Conti - Roma & Lazio Convention & Visitors Bureau, Manager
• Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoglu – TGA, Vice General Manager
15:45 - 16:30
Panel 5: Developing the Destination of Knowledge by Fostering Intellectual Capital
The Meetings industry may play a crucial role in fostering and mobilizing a destination's intellectual capital, fueling growth and innovation. We focus on identifying and engaging our local leaders active in international scientific, business, and professional associations to attract international meetings to our destinations. Recognizing them as critical competitive assets within our society, we can establish collaborative platforms between destinations, academic institutions, and international associations, positioning our cities as hubs of knowledge. With our panelists, we aim to delve into various aspects of this process, exploring opportunities for leveraging and achieving mutual benefits.
Panelists:
• Carlotta Ferrari - Italy Convention Bureau, President
• Karina Soraya Lance – Dubai Business Events, Associate Vice President; Dubai Association Center, Executive Board member
• Prof. Dr. Osman Bülent Zülfikar - Istanbul University, Rector; Turkish Academy of Science, full member; The Hemophilia Society of Turkey, Chair
• Doç. Dr. Murat Sargın - Assoc. Prof. Cardiovascular Surgery, Secretary General Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery
17:00 - 18:30
Free Time
19:30
Gala Dinner at Hilton Bosphorus
Day 3 – June 4th Venue: Istanbul Chamber of Commerce
09:00 - 10:00
Mediterranean Community Exchange
We aim to foster an active dialogue and platform for exchanging information, insights, and best practices within the region, embodying the spirit of "Mediterranean on the move." During the session, members of our chapter will have the opportunity to share success stories and case studies, presenting valuable business opportunities for others. This initiative aims to cultivate a vibrant community that promotes collaboration and fuels growth.
10:00 - 11:00
Promoting Mediterranean Culture and Knowledge
The concluding session aims to distill the insights from previous panels to establish guidelines for the intelligent and comprehensive promotion of the cultural heritage and knowledge, unique values of the Mediterranean region, which represent significant competitive advantages for our destinations. Through discussions, we will strive to explore growth strategies and define shared values as collaborative points, contributing to the collective success of the dynamic 'Mediterranean on the move' region.
11:00 - 11:15
Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:30
Cultural Workshop: Immerse in Istanbul
12:30 - 13:00
Closing Session & Next Destination Presentation
13:30 - 14:30
Lunch
14:30 - 18:00
Historical Peninsula Tour
