1st ECM Academy in South Africa

Like its sister the ECM Summer School, the ECM Academy will be the bridge for African professionals to a successful career in the Meetings Industry. ECM consolidates its position as the educational reference in the sector, counting on 30 years of expertise with the ECM Summer School, to be celebrated next summer in Zagreb.

Derek Hanekom, Minister of Tourism for South Africa declared: “We are most excited that the European Cities Marketing (ECM) programme is coming to South Africa.  South Africa, as a world-class business events destination, will position itself to respond to the next decade to the rising interest in the African continent. We want to improve our service delivery and bring job creation through the ECM Academy at Meetings Africa, and we hope that the rest of the continent can grow as well. We have a heart for this industry to make it happen in our country and our region.”

Speaking at the press conference, alongside Minister Hanekom, ECM President Ignasi de Delàs, said: “We are really thrilled to have our first ECM Academy organised in South Africa. It’s a new landmark in ECM development to host the derived version of our successful ECM Summer School. We use our 30 years of experience to guarantee the success of the ECM Academy in Johannesburg by maintaining the highest standard of course content, recruiting the best speakers, and giving the latest examples showcasing the most up-to-date trends in the Meetings Industry.”

An anticipated 40 to 50 participants will attend the Academy. Faculty members will be composed of senior people with recognised positions in the Meetings Industry : Anne Wallin-Rodven (former director VisitOslo Convention Bureau), Anja Loetscher (director Geneva Convention Bureau), Barbara Jamison (Head of Business Development Europe, London & Partners), Christian Mutschlechner (director Vienna Convention Bureau) Jonathan Cohen (Azimuth marketing communications),  combined with local perspectives.“I am really proud of this first Faculty team and I am looking forward to exchange with participants and interact with them to enhance the quality of the Meetings Industry and contribute to create career paths” concluded Pier Paolo Mariotti, course leader for the ECM Academy and the ECM Summer School.

More information about the ECM Academy can be found on ECM Website www.europeancitiesmarketing.com/ecm-advantage/education/ecm-academy and on Meetings Africa website www.meetingsafrica.co.za