Business Tourism Partnership Mission

Future Trends and Issues
• The demands made upon conference venues catering for national
association conferences will continue to grow, both in the
provision of electronic communications technology but also in
requirements for space (e.g. increasing use of
syndicate/breakout rooms, greater need for exhibition space),
better accessibility for disabled delegates, and for higher levels of
security
• Organisers are likely to seek more integrated infrastructures with
high quality transport systems to and within a destination, plus
venue, accommodation, restaurants and attractions in close
proximity - Manchester’s conventions quarter branded as
‘Manchester Central Convention Complex’ is one example of such
a development
• More destination marketing organisations are establishing
‘ambassador programmes’ designed specifically to target the
national and international association conference segments. Such
programmes identify and recruit key individuals within local
communities to act as ambassadors for the destination in
promoting its benefits and in bidding to bring the major
conference of the organisation of which they are a member to
their own destination.
c) INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION CONFERENCES
Definition and Background
The international association conference market, where the terms
‘convention’ and ‘congress’ are frequently used to describe major
events, brings together members with common professional,
scientific or social interests. The associations vary in size and
membership, can be regional or international in scope and use
meetings as one of the most important communication methods
with members. The associations also use their meetings as a key
revenue generator to support the headquarters and fund outreach
activities such as specialised research and public health campaigns
as well as programmes in developing countries.
Individuals attend congresses because they provide an opportunity
to share ideas and information about their industry or field,
impart/gain intelligence and research and network with industry
colleagues. Academic and research institutions send delegates to
attend meetings so as to publish and present results of research, to
gain publicity for their research units/programmes, to enhance the
institution’s standing and attract further government and industry
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