 |
Joachim König, President of the European Association of Event Centres, EVVC
As part of the two-day programme for your annual Management Meeting from 9 to 11 September there is a session titled “Visitor Comfort of the Future“. What will convention centres of the future look like?
"Visitor Comfort of the Future", which will again be on the agenda of our annual Management Meeting (the EVVC's annual conference) in Salzburg, is a topic that has been discussed by the EVVC rather frequently over the last few years.
This has something to do with the conviction that demographic change in all its facets will require further modifications to the spatial and supply structures of convention and event venues. In this context "all facets" not only comprise the often predominant aspect of demographic change towards an ageing society - and hence the guest structure in event venues - but also the now generally acknowledged change towards more diverse and feminine audiences.
The classic triad "more mature, more diverse, more feminine" will require further action in a number of places. Barrier freedom and accessibility are important areas that need to be optimised, both for older visitors and guests using wheelchairs and walking aids and for mothers with pushchairs and prams. Larger foyers and areas for rest and recreation zones with seating but also for parking pushchairs, prams, etc., even more multi-purpose rooms that are structurally suited to a wide variety of events - which is also important due to the larger share of visitors with a migration background - are all in the offing.
So, the essential aim is to further intensify the old concept of multifunctionality, with many flexible and fewer fixed structures in the rooms and combine them with barrier-free components in all facets of the centres' facilities.
What should international associations consider in their selection of a convention centre?
I believe that, in the future, the selection of a convention centre will depend even more on factors of sustainability than in the past, as an increasing number of associations and companies will adopt self-imposed obligations in different fields of sustainability and pass on these specifications as selection criteria to convention and event venues. Hence, the number of events will rise where convention centres will not be short-listed if they do not meet certain fundamental requirements such as certifications among other things.
In addition, the location and accessibility criterion takes centre stage, as both time resources and travel-related sustainability factors will incontestably remain a top priority.
Some associations argue that convention centres are too expensive. What is your reply?
The argument that convention centres are too expensive for association events is often just eyewash. The alternative to convention centres is normally a venue or facility that can only be made suitable for a convention at a great extra expense and effort. Of course, there are always suitable facilities in educational institutions, schools and universities that also appear to be cheaper but increasingly perform a full costing for themselves and then find that the low prices are no longer economically sustainable for them.
Finally, as regards pure room rents and direct material costs, one must consider that service quality, expertise and good advice as major success factors for successful events can only be part of the offer where they are available. And this is simply the case for professional convention centres.
For your 21st Annual Congress from 9 to 11 September 2012 you chose Salzburg. Why?
Salzburg is the venue for our 2012 congress firstly because our member centre made a bid, there being candidacy options for both of the EVVC's annual meetings. And secondly, the EVVC was very happy to accept this invitation to Salzburg, as it is naturally one of the goals of a European association to organise its meetings and conventions not only in Germany. And finally, it goes without saying that Salzburg is a very attractive city, which will make it even more interesting to attend.
What are the main challenges for the EVVC nowadays?
In many cases the future challenges for the EVVC will remain the goals we set ourselves in the past: political recognition of our industry in politics and society, monitoring of legislative measures related to positive and negative impacts on our industry, and support and assistance for our member centres with all kinds of problems and questions.
And with the first staging of MEXCON, a joint conference of nine trade organisations in the meetings industry, there is additionally a special focus on continuing this event as a sign of solidarity within our industry. Sustainability is another major topic thanks to Green Meetings and Events next February, staged together with our partner, the German Convention Bureau, and other sponsors.
Moreover, it will also be very important over the next few years that Germany remains internationally competitive as a meetings destination on an international level. In view of the huge and very impressive investments being made world-wide, but particularly in the BRIC states, Germany simply cannot afford to neglect the need to refurbish and maintain the quality of its infrastructure for meetings and conventions. This is a major challenge in view of constrained public coffers, as it will be much harder to obtain funding in future. Hence, it is particularly important to raise awareness of the value added by our industry, which may lead to serious efforts for investments by the decision-makers.
The European Association of Event Centres (EVVC) represents about 700 event centres of all kinds and sizes in Germany and Europe. Event organisers and supply companies supplement the association’s broad range, thus making the EVVC the most versatile communications network within the sector. The main tasks of the EVVC are to inform, provide counsel for and facilitate its members within a professional networking framework, whilst at the same time offering an ideal communications platform. As well as providing pragmatic support in the fields of marketing, legal advice, technical event equipment and the development of up-to-date industry key data, the association also places great emphasis on the area of education within the industry. www.evvc.org