European Cities Marketing launched this month the first edition of the ECM Summer School 2.0, which will take place online on August 24-26, 2020.
ECM Summer School 2.0 will be an executive dialogue for experienced professionals of the industry working in convention bureaux, hotels, PCOs, DMCs, airlines, conference venues, congress & convention centres, exhibition centres, suppliers of ancillary and other products.
“At ECM, we see challenges as opportunities. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the network of 120+ European DMMOs and CVBs deployed full energy for its members with new digital initiatives and crucial support. For 33 years, the ECM Summer School has been a flagship event in the Meetings Industry, but this year, instead of meeting physically, ECM has developed an additional event dedicated to advanced Meetings Industry professionals including the Summer School alumni, called ECM Summer School 2.0,” said Petra Stusek, ECM President.
“We believe, that the need for strategic destination and meeting management is greater than ever before. In the post Corona world, Meeting Industry has a crucial role as a socio-economic facilitator and (co-)innovator. Therefore, it is imperative for ECM to help members align their own strategic agenda with new demands, challenges and opportunities. We aim to bring the Industry closer, share perspectives for #aNewTomorrow and strengthen networks in those challenging times when collaboration is key.
It is our strong will to give our attendees the unique opportunity to interact at a more strategic level with experts of the industry and learn from each other.”
Together and under the guidance of senior professional leaders from the Industry, ECM aims to inspire professionals with best practices and innovative approaches to broach recovery, and have a more precise look at the future of our industry.
Three half-day sessions will be dedicated to strategic outlooks for the meetings industry, understanding the world of clients and suppliers, and moving towards a smart and sustainable recovery. Through presentations, panel discussions and breakout conversations, the participants will have the unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and converse with the faculty members and their fellow European peers.
The faculty are all members or partners of ECM and give their time on a voluntary basis – a way of giving back to the Meetings Industry: Carina Bauer (CEO | IMEX Group), Guy Bigwood (Managing Director & Chief Changemaker | Global Destinations Sustainability Movement and GuBi Consulting), Christian Funk (Editor | dfv Mediengruppe – tw tagungswirtschaft – m+a report), Angela Graun (Senior Director, Head of Meetings & Events EMEA | Radisson Hotel Group), Barbara Jamison (Head of Business Development Europe | London & Partners), Sam Johnston (Manager | Convention Bureaux of Ireland), Silke Lauermann (Category Procurement Manager for Marketing & Travel | SAP), Cain Leathem (Exercise & Nutrition Consultant | IMEX Group, GB Fitness), Sissi Lygnou (CEO Operations & Development PCO Services | AFEA Travel & Congress Services), Heike Mahmoud (CMP, Chief Operating Officer | CCH – Congress Center Hamburg), Pier Paolo Mariotti (CMM, CMP, Meeting Manager | EURAC Research Bolzano – Course Director), Kristin McGrath (CDME, Vice President of Sales, Services & Sports | Visit Albuquerque), Harry Mirpuri (Director, Research & Insight| London & Partners), Christian Mutschlechner (Member of the Board of Directors | Congrex Switzerland, former Director | Vienna Convention Bureau), Miguel Neves (CMP, Chief Social Strategist | Miguelseven.com), Riccardo Pizzuti (Sales & Marketing Manager | Roma&Lazio Convention Bureau), Annamaria Ruffini (President & CEO | Events In & Out), Mathias Sondermann (Senior Director Head of Events Programs and Experience | SAP), Dennis Speet (Chief Operating Officer | ICCA), Katarina Thortensson (Smart Tourism & Sustainability Strategist | Göteborg & Co), Daniel Waigl (Executive Director | CIRSE), Mina Zoulovits (Lawyer | Zoulovits Kontogeorgou Law Firm).
“We believe that ongoing education in the Meetings Industry is a success factor for future business, whether you belong to an important or second tiered destination. Thanks to this new version of the ECM Summer School, ECM reveals itself, once again, to be relevant and to be a great help for its members and an essential source of information for the Industry.” concludes Petra Stusek, ECM President.
