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Registrations Increase by Over 20 Percent |
| SAN JUAN, August 28, 2012 – In just two months’ time, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) will host its annual congress in Puerto Rico. One of the most prominent organizations in the world of international meetings, the delegation is largely comprised of the main specialists in organizing, transporting and accommodating international meetings and events. According to current ICCA registration figures, Puerto Rico’s registrations are up over twenty-two percent over last year’s early registration figures.
The 2012 ICCA Congress kicks off on October 20th and is expected to bring an anticipated 700 meeting planner-members of the organization from around the globe to San Juan and the Puerto Rico Convention Center Pedro Rosselló. ICCA members represent over 900 organizations in 87 countries who work directly in the meetings and conventions business. This influential group is mainly comprised of executives who select locations such as Puerto Rico for their association conventions. The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau and partners are taking full advantage of the opportunity to showcase Puerto Rico as a convention destination for large association groups, especially as this is the first time that the event will be hosted in the Caribbean. “Bringing these influential ‘meeting makers’ to Puerto Rico provides us with the opportunity to showcase all the destination has to offer convention groups,” stated Neil J. Mullanaphy, CHME, acting president & CEO, Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. “Drawing delegates from Europe, North and South America demonstrates Puerto Rico’s strength as a natural gathering choice for international congresses. Our goal is once ICCA attendees experience all that Puerto Rico has to offer, they’ll bring their large groups back to Puerto Rico for association gatherings.” During the four-day program, members of ICCA will meet to addresses key topics of interest to professionals who coordinate international meetings. Lectures, seminars and panel discussions will take place at the Puerto Rico Convention Center Pedro Rosselló and includes developing meetings in the Caribbean and Central America; the future of association, medical and technology meetings; sustainability; understanding the Brazilian market; social media and more. The program will showcase top meeting and event venues in Puerto Rico. A welcome event at the Conservatorio de Música will emphasize the musical heritage and architecture of Old San Juan. An evening ‘beach party’ at El Escambrón Beach Club celebrates the island’s tropical feel and natural beauty. A final gala taking place in the Puerto Rico Convention Center Pedro Rosselló’s Grand Ballroom will highlight the sophistication of Puerto Rico’s meeting and event spaces. In addition to the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, The Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority, and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company along with local members providing support or sponsoring the program include Presentation Services Audio Visual, Group Services, Inc., Buena Vibra Group and the Municipality of Carolina. Pre- and post-tour packages are available to delegates and include discounts on accommodations throughout the island. Member-hotels offering special rates to ICCA delegates include Hyatt Hacienda del Mar, Gran Meliá Golf Resort Puerto Rico, Hampton Inn & Suites San Juan, San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Verdanza Hotel and the W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island. Delegates arriving early have the opportunity to participate in special excursions including a walking tour of the El Yunque rainforest, and Old San Juan historical, shopping and culinary tour, catamaran sailing and snorkeling, kayaking at Rio Espiritu Santo as well as zip-lining adventures. The ICCA has 8,377 association meeting planner members with the potential to bring more than 2,200 meetings to the United States. ICCA is the global community for the meetings industry, enabling members to generate and maintain significant competitive advantage within the meetings marketplace. For more information, visit www.iccaworld.com/congress2012. |
