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Future Convention Cities Initiative
The Future Convention Cities Initiative (FCCI) is a group of member cities that collaborates to shape and accelerate the strategic development of their business events industries. All members could be described as the 'new generation' of convention leaders: they aim to use the latest technology, innovation and research to increase the economic benefits of business events for their cities, and the industry as a whole.
Why the FCCI was created
The business events industry is highly competitive, with hundreds of destinations bidding each year for events worth billions globally. The FCCI, formed in 2011, is a way for leading cities in key global regions, to collaborate, share learnings, and create strategic advantages to help them capitalise on current and future market opportunities.
The FCCI embodies the global nature of the business events market, which is no longer Euro or US centric, and encompasses both Asian and Middle Eastern member cities. The seven founding members are:
- Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
- Business Events Sydney
- Durban KwaZulu Natal Convention Bureau
- London and Partners (formerly Visit London)
- San Francisco Travel Association
- Seoul Tourism Organization
- Toronto Convention Bureau.
The FCCI research agenda
A major focus of the FCCI is to undertake research into creating further value in the business event industry. This is conducted via point research and knowledge sharing, competitive advantage research, and thought leadership activities.
The current FCCI research agenda focuses on:
- driving economic growth and job creation
- maximising knowledge sharing through business events
- creating global opportunities for local businesses and researchers
- showcasing local capability
- leveraging existing infrastructure
- nurturing new ventures and accelerating emerging industries
- promoting innovation and driving research and development
- driving citywide co-ordination.
Business Events Sydney involvement in the FCCI
Business Event Sydney (BESydney) is a founding member of the FCCI and is committed to the impact the initiative can have on raising the profile of business events in member cities, and in the wider spheres of government, the private sector and academia. BESydney’s Chief Executive Officer, Lyn Lewis-Smith, is the inaugural chairperson of the FCCI.
"I was honoured to get the unanimous support of my fellow members to become the first chairperson of FCCI. They are a great group of people to work with – everyone has a genuine belief in the value of what we are trying to do. We know nothing like this has ever been done before in the industry and I’m very excited to be the first chairperson helping to steer FCCI through the launch of our first strategic research projects," says Lyn.
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The Future Convention Cities Initiative (FCCI) announced that its first chairperson will be Lyn Lewis-Smith - Chief Operating Officer of Business Events Sydney.
