ICCA UK & Ireland Chapter Conference 2025
The conference brought together more than 120 association professionals, including over 40 first-time attendees and more than 30 students, for two days of learning and knowledge-sharing.
Under the theme Business Beyond Borders, sessions explored key industry topics such as inclusivity, sustainability, decarbonisation, and building value to attract the next generation of event professionals.
The ICCA Big Debate
The ICCA Big Debate
A highlight of the conference was The ICCA Big Debate, an annual favourite. This year’s topic examined the use of public funds to secure conferences: "Is it an unfair practice, and should it be abolished?"
As a debate team coach, it was an honour to engage in this discussion alongside three other industry professionals. The use of public funds to attract conferences is a contentious issue. While these funds can help cities secure high-profile events, boosting local economies and global reputation, critics argue that the practice creates an uneven playing field, disadvantaging organisations that rely solely on private or self-generated funding.
Chaired by Amanda Ferguson from the University of Edinburgh, the debate featured two law students from the University of Leeds’ debating society. The discussion sparked contrasting viewpoints on industry ethics and competition, both on stage and from the audience.
Rory Archibald, Senior Business Events Manager
Day Two
Day two featured a session led by our own Rory Archibald on the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in events amid an evolving political landscape.
Key questions were explored:
- How can organisations implement stronger DEI policies and strategies?
- How can subvention be leveraged to support DEI initiatives?
- How can the industry position DEI as a business-critical priority to counter misinformation?
Rory also led the DEI Hackathon, which generated dynamic discussions on ensuring DEI remains central to industry innovation and inclusivity.
