The Association of International Convention Centers (AIPC) has announced 15 successful applicants into the inaugural Future Shapers program, which kicks off Sept. 15.
The 12-month program has been designed to support venue managers to develop their high performers, accelerate their leadership skills and provide them with a platform to influence outcomes and improve the industry.
AIPC President Greg O’Dell says, “Through education, a community of peers and mentors, and a platform to perform, these Future Shapers can help set the course of our industry. These star performers are the next generation of our industry’s leaders and our goal is to escalate their progress and share their ideas with our members during the journey. The program’s launch also further supports the industry’s focus on talent retention and moving skill sets as we navigate a rapidly changing business environment.”
The first quarter of the lecture series focuses on soft skills and leadership tools. Sandy Kennedy of Entrepreneurial Scotland, who spends his time developing young people into the leaders of tomorrow, will focus on the personal journey of leaders; Cathy O’Dowd, the first woman to climb Mount Everest from both the North and South sides, will share her insights into leadership for high achievers and through both lectures and one-on-one sessions; and Andy Green will guide the Future Shapers through the creation of their Personal Purpose Manifesto: a declaration of what each individual finds important to them.
The program will also cover hot industry topics such as technology, sustainability and future event and venue formats as well as one-on-one mentoring with global CEOs and an industry challenge designed to prepare us all for the future.
The inaugural AIPC Future Shapers are:
- Stephanie Martin, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia
- Matthew Haynes, ICC Sydney, Australia – Sandra Rae, ICC Sydney, Australia
- Genevieve Lim, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
- Shirly Shi, Shenzhen World, China
- Beatriz Campuzano, Cartagena de Indias, Columbia
- Montserrat Nunez, Costa Rica Convention Center, Costa Rica
- Dagmar Brozova, Prague Congress Centre, Czech Republic
- Mounira Pichori, VIParis, France
- Sanny, Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Indonesia
- Jacqueline Tran, Javits Center, New York
- Saba Al Azki, Oman Convention & Exhibition Center, Oman
- Danielle Henn, CSIR ICC, South Africa
- Belinda Haas, Swiss Tech Convention Center, Switzerland
- Dawn Lauder, Scottish Event Campus, United Kingdom
Founded in 1958, AIPC is a global network of some 190 leading centers in 61 countries with the active involvement of more than 900 management-level professionals. Its mission is to encourage, support and recognize excellence in convention centre management, based on the diverse experience and expertise of its international membership, and it maintains a full range of educational, research, networking and management standards programs in order to achieve this. AIPC recognizes and actively promotes the essential role of the international meetings industry in supporting economic, academic and professional development in communities where its members are located as well as enhancing global relations amongst diverse business and cultural interests worldwide. For more information, visit www.aipc.org or contact the AIPC Secretariat at secretariat@aipc.org.
