The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) represented the business events sector at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos earlier this month. The association used the forum to engage directly with policymakers and senior government figures, including Sri Lanka’s prime minister Harini Amarasuriya and Said Al Saqri, advisor to Oman’s Ministry of Economy.
Discussions focused on the role of business events in economic growth, investment attraction and international collaboration, with ICCA positioning meetings and conferences as tools for long-term value creation rather than short-term tourism activity.
ICCA chief executive Senthil Gopinath appeared on a Euronews panel examining how governments and industry can work together to improve destination competitiveness and maximise the economic and social impact of events. The panel explored public–private partnerships and how business events can support policy objectives linked to trade, innovation and sustainable development.
ICCA said its presence at Davos was part of a broader advocacy effort aimed at ensuring business events are recognised by global decision-makers as strategic infrastructure for knowledge exchange, diplomacy and international cooperation. The association also used the forum to strengthen relationships across government, media and industry, reinforcing its role as a representative body for international association meetings.
ICCA said it plans to continue its advocacy work throughout 2026, with a focus on engaging policymakers and positioning business events within wider economic and development strategies.