BestCities Global Alliance Exploring Congress of the Future

Author: Lane Nieset       

BestCities Global Alliance

The 2019 BestCities Global Forum, scheduled for December, will take advantage of its Copenhagen setting, including the Winter Wonderland at Tivoli Gardens. (Lasse Salling/Visit Copenhagen)

In 20 years from now, what are some of the issues that congresses — and associations — will be facing? This is the question BestCities Global Alliance and Copenhagen Convention Bureau (CCB) are looking to explore at this year’s BestCities Global Forum, which will take place in the Danish capital 8–11 Dec.

BestCities Global Alliance

David Meade

Hosted by David Meade, a lecturer and researcher in international business and strategy at the University of Ulster and a plenary speaker at PCMA’s European Influencers Summit in September, the Global Forum will centre on the theme of “Exploring the Congress of the Future – Fortifying Impact.” With the help of the Danish Design Centre and the futurologists of Public Futures, the forum will develop future scenarios that could be very real possibilities in 2040, offering educational insights and tools for associations to tackle potential challenges.

“Our impressive programme of education, insight, and networking at the fourth annual Global Forum will address the opportunities and challenges the future has in store for (the) global associations and congresses industry,” BestCities Managing Director Paul Vallee told eTurbo News. “Our world-class speakers, workshops, and networking sessions will provide participants with informed strategic advice and practical tools that they can work into their long-term strategies.”

Throughout the event, discussions will form the basis of strategic recommendations for a white paper, which will be published in early 2020. And instead of standard icebreaking sessions, events like the Ambassador Dinner with local ambassadors will allow attendees to network and build relationships with their Danish counterparts.

Since the future of congresses is highly based on destinations, this one makes the most of Copenhagen’s cultural backdrop, showcasing everything from the Winter Wonderland at Tivoli Gardens to the culinary achievements that have garnered global attention. One of the forum’s much-anticipated highlights? A session by Claus Meyer, the co-founder of Noma, frequently topping the list of the world’s best restaurants.

“We have already set out on the journey to build in-depth researched scenarios engaging with the global industry in the process leading up to the Global Forum,” Kit Lykketoft, director of convention for Wonderful Copenhagen and board member of the BestCities Global Alliance, told eTN. “We wish for the Copenhagen Global Forum to have a lasting impact and to bring the global conversation to a highly informed level. BestCities is a thought-leading alliance and we want to share and co-create with the entire industry. Only through collaboration (is) true impact … possible.”

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