ICC Belfast's Ciara Davidson Appointed Observer to AIPC Global Board

ICC Belfast's Director of Transformation and Governance, Ciara Davidson, has been appointed as an observer to the Board of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), joining the global body that brings together senior leaders from convention and exhibition centres in more than 60 countries.

The appointment places Davidson alongside executives from some of the world's leading venues, including convention centres in Switzerland, Calgary, New Zealand and Cape Town. In her new role, she will contribute both an operational perspective and the voice of the industry's emerging leadership as AIPC continues to advance excellence, innovation and collaboration across the global convention centre sector.

Davidson's appointment builds on several years of active engagement with the association. Selected for AIPC's Future Shapers leadership programme in 2023, she spent nine months collaborating with peers from Sydney, Paris and Kuala Lumpur on an initiative addressing one of the industry's most pressing workforce challenges. The team's proposal (an HR platform designed to support recruitment and retention of specialist event professionals) won the programme's final pitch in Costa Rica and is now being further developed by AIPC for wider industry implementation.

Her continued involvement saw her return as a mentor for the following Future Shapers cohort in Shenzhen before being appointed to lead the Future Shapers Task Force at the AIPC Annual Conference in Bilbao in June 2026.

Reflecting on the appointment, Davidson said: "It’s an incredible privilege to be appointed to the AIPC Board and to lead the Future Shapers Task Force. AIPC has given me the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from global industry leaders, and I’m proud to bring those insights back to ICC Belfast. For a convention centre of our size, to have a voice at this level is hugely rewarding – it shows that Belfast is making a real impact on the global stage.

"It’s also a real confidence boost to see that the challenges we face in Belfast are felt all over the world. And what’s even more exciting is that the innovations we’re driving are ahead of the curve. We’re a small tightknit team and our size makes us agile to drive new things forward really effectively."

Davidson's achievement reflects a broader culture of professional development within ICC Belfast. Head of Production Dave Young participated in the 2025 Future Shapers programme, where his international team secured the winning project. His contribution subsequently led AIPC to invite him to establish and chair a new Tech and Production Working Group, building on the earlier participation of Laurel Gray, Head of Events, who was among the first professionals from the UK and Ireland to complete the programme in Luxembourg.

By contributing to initiatives spanning talent development, sustainability, digital innovation and artificial intelligence, ICC Belfast has strengthened its presence within AIPC's international network. Davidson's dual role as Board observer and Future Shapers Task Force lead further reinforces the venue's commitment to shaping the future direction of the global convention centre industry.

Commenting on the appointment, Rob McConnell, Chief Executive of ICC Belfast, said: "Ciara’s appointment to the AIPC Board is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the talent and leadership within our team. Her success reflects the global recognition that ICC Belfast is earning for its innovation, professionalism, and contribution to the international events industry. We have a superb team at ICC Belfast, and through AIPC, they’re developing by working alongside the best in the world; through this combination of talent, training and leadership excellence, Belfast’s convention offering is truly world class."
 

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