ICCA Congress 2024: record-breaking experience in Abu Dhabi

# tags: ICCA , Events , Congress , Associations , Meetings Industry

Delegates from 76 countries worldwide attended the 63rd ICCA Congress to share knowledge, collaborate, and expand horizons.

After four days of dynamic sessions, bringing together 1.563 delegates, ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) made history once again, proving that our industry is stronger than ever and that business events have the power to change the world.

Featuring 176 speakers, 93 sessions, and attended by 11 ministers and undersecretaries as well as UN Tourism Secretary General H.E. Zurab Pololikashvilid, this year's event was ICCA's biggest Congress yet. The central theme was ‘Tomorrow Starts Today’.

The event was attended by over 102 international and regional university students, demonstrating ICCA’s commitment to including the next generation of meetings and events professionals and providing a roadmap toward growing their careers in the space, and by over 100 associations, representatives from all parts of the meetings and events industry.

This year’s Congress boasted an innovative, futuristic model: The Hub. Featuring 19 concurrent sessions in a groundbreaking design that allowed for free-flowing information exchange and real-time feedback from attendees via AI technology, this concept was based on insights from last year’s Congress in Bangkok, where delegates participated in Sharing Hubs.

“This year’s ICCA Congress was certainly one to remember. With record-breaking attendance, incredible speakers, and the sense of community that makes ICCA a leader in the industry, it was truly an event we’ll never forget,” said Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA. “The power of connection was on full display, and from everyone at ICCA, I’d like to thank each and every delegate for joining us in Abu Dhabi, our partners and sponsors. Here’s to many more years of gathering together and creating change, making history, and building a brighter future.”

Delegates heard from industry-leading experts and speakers who illuminated the issues that matter most to the future of business events, shared incredible memories, and built unbreakable friendships.

Attendees let loose and showed their competitive side at Challenge Night at Warner Bros World, delighted in jaw-dropping views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during the Welcome Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, and enjoyed world-class hospitality during the Gala Dinner at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Participants celebrated the winning entries of the Best Marketing Award and Incredible Impacts, gathered to vote on the future of ICCA at the General Assembly, and shared insights and ‘Aha moments’ over meals and coffee breaks.