ICCA Signs New Agreement with Macau Fair & Trade Association

ICCA, the International Congress and Convention Association, announced the signing of a new agreement with the Macau Fair & Trade Association (MFTA) to host exclusive training sessions for ICCASkills, ICCA’s professional certification programme.

ICCASkills is the only globally recognised certification for suppliers in every sector of the meetings industry, providing meetings and events professionals with industry expert-designed courses, upskilling and developing the workforce for the business events industry. MFTA will host these exclusive sessions for ICCASkills in 2025 and 2026, allowing access to ICCA’s high-quality programme to MICE professionals in the region and beyond.

The agreement, recognised at the 63rd ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi with a signing ceremony, specifies the delivery of on-site training programmes to become a Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS) or Certified International Convention Executive (CICE) as part of ICCASkills, bringing together industry providers and local authorities. The agreement aims to build capacity in the region and focuses on developing the skills of local professionals, demonstrating MFTA’s commitment to contributing to the global business events industry.  

“This agreement recognises MFTA’s commitment and investment in capacity-building alongside ICCA to providing high-quality continuing education programmes to our community, and expand the reach of ICCASkills around the world,” said Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA. “We’re so excited to work with MFTA to further deploy our programme in the region and contribute to enriching the careers of business events professionals.” 

This is the second agreement ICCA has signed with MFTA, following a successful event in September 2024. The signing of the new agreement will bring ICCASkills to Macau for an additional two years, further solidifying ICCA’s commitment to development in the region. 

“As Macau has been receiving awards as one of the best destinations for meetings and conferences, it has been MFTA roots in cultivating new talents and enhancing current talents since our inauguration in 2000,” said Synthia Chan, council chairperson of the Macau Fair & Trade Association.

“This is why we have been joining hands with international associations, such as ICCASkills, to provide not only for local Macanese but also for those from the Greater Bay Area (GBA), who would like to further their careers in our industry. We are looking forward for further hosting ICCA Skills CICS and CICE in Macau for the coming years 2025 and 2026.”