IACC, previously known as the International Association of Conference Centres, attracted a record group of 293 attendees to its annual IACC Americas Connect conference. Held at Chubb Hotel & Conference Center and The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, the three-day conference, included education sessions and panel discussions in the form of campfires, workshops, culinary tours, and tastings. Hosted by former White House Director of Events Laura Schwartz, it also included the annual Global Copper Skillet cooking competition and Meeting Room of the Future findings.
"We saw record attendance at this year's annual Connect conference, a 33 percent rise on last year, which validates the improvements we've made by directly involving the meeting planner and university student communities into our signature industry event," said Sean Anderson, IACC Americas president. "This growth also illustrates the rising stock value of IACC across the meetings industry as more than ever, planners look to their venue partners as co-owners in creating the ideal event experience, the IACC Experience."
Among the topics discussed at the sessions were innovation, leadership, food and beverage, social media, and evolving technology. The Global Copper Skillet competition heated things up with Brian Wagner from Chauncey Hotel & Conference Center, United States and Leanna Higgs from Wyboston Lakes, United Kingdom, coming out on top.
"The quality of the food created today at this competition was superb, the best of the best in conference catering," said Lina Merchant, director of sales at Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre, Dolce Hotels and Resorts, who attended the event and watched the competition unfold. "Food and hospitality is one of the most important elements of any conference and event; yes, guests will walk away with the knowledge from the event, but they'll talk about food when they leave."
IACC's next annual European conference, the Knowledge Festival, will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, this Oct. 5-7 at the Dolce CampoReal.