Signature Boston
April 9, 2024
The Global MICE Collaborative (GMC) is a joint initiative of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events® (IAEE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE). With its overarching aim to advance the global meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry, GMC provides a convenient single solution to provide education and training to accelerate workforce development and destination capabilities within the business events industry worldwide.
Initially launched in 2018, the Global MICE Collaborative delivered educational content in Shenzhen (China) and Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) before the global pandemic imposed a mandatory pause in its activities. GMC is now re-launching with a keynote on Business & Event Trends for MICE Professionals at The Meetings Show, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, 17-18 April 2024 followed by MICE Fundamentals: Conference, Exhibition & Incentive Events, a one-day course available in-person in Germany on 13 May 2024, the day before the commencement of IMEX Frankfurt. This course will also be available at future industry events, which will be announced in later communications.
Commenting on the re-launch, IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM said, “The Global MICE Collaborative brings three of the industry’s best-known associations – IAEE, MPI and SITE – together to provide the global community of business events’ professionals with a ‘best of’ collaboration, initially focused on education. MPI brings networking, thought leadership and education for Meetings, SITE for Incentives and IAEE for Conventions and Exhibitions. We bring indispensable connections to our combined communities of over 110,000 MICE professionals located all over the world.”
Paul Van Deventer, President and CEO of MPI added, “Over the past three years the business events industry has seen significant change in workforce composition. Some reports show that upwards of 60 percent of industry professionals are new and the average age has declined by nearly 10 years. This brings forth a significant opportunity for new, fresh thinking, yet also demonstrates the need for skill development. Our MICE Fundamentals course provides the perfect pan-industry immersion for those new individuals entering this amazing industry. It also provides the perfect primer for the more specialized certification programs that each of our individual associations offer – IAEE’s Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) Learning Program, MPI’s Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM) and SITE’s Certified Incentive Specialist (CIS) and Certified Incentive Travel Professional (CITP).”
Annette Gregg, CEO, SITE concluded, “As more and more regions, countries and cities around the globe recognize the hard dollar and soft power contribution of Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions, the demand for professionally trained business events executives is increasing. That’s why the leading associations in the industry have joined forces to develop the best MICE workforce in established and emerging markets worldwide. IAEE, MPI and SITE look forward to expanding the scope of our ‘collaborative’ and to serving an industry that currently makes a USD$1.6T contribution to global GDP.”
Further details on the Global MICE Collaborative and, specifically, to register for the MICE Fundamentals course are available on http://micecollaborative.com/.
About The Global MICE Collaborative (GMC)
The Global MICE Collaborative (GMC) is a joint initiative of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE). With its overarching aim to advance the global meetings, incentives, conferences & exhibitions (MICE) industry, GMC provides a convenient single solution to provide education and training to accelerate workforce development and destination capabilities within the business events industry in both established and emerging markets worldwide.
About IAEE
Trusted since 1928, IAEE provides quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEE, and the organization advocates and promotes the awareness of face-to-face exhibitions and events as the primary medium for business development and growth. IAEE provides relevant, timely and innovative education to its members and the industry. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: 4imprint, Convention News Television (CNTV), eShow, Freeman, GES | onPeak, Grit Productions and Expositions, IMEX, New Orleans & Company, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and Risk Strategies Company | Buttine Insurance. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.
About MPI
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide. The organization provides innovative and relevant education, networking opportunities and business exchanges, and acts as a prominent voice for the promotion and growth of the industry. MPI has a global community of more than 110,000 meeting and event professionals including nearly 13,000 engaged members. It has It has nearly 70 chapters, clubs and members in more than 75 countries worldwide. “When we meet, we change the world.” www.mpi.org
About SITE
Founded in 1973, SITE is a professional association of 2,700 members located in 87 countries, working in corporations, agencies, airlines, cruise companies, and across the entire destination supply chain. We bring value to our members at both global and local chapter level by networking, online resources, education, certification, and advocacy. SITE is deeply committed to the new generation and operates a best-in-class Young Leaders program and dedicated annual conference.
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Media Inquiries:
Nicole Bowman, MBA, CEM-AP
Vice President, Marketing & Communications | IAEE
nbowman@iaee.com
Drew Holmgreen
Chief Brand Officer | MPI
dholmgreen@mpi.org
Pádraic Gilligan, CIS, CITP
Head of Marketing | SITE & SITE Foundation
pgilligan@siteglobal.com
