The recognized leading event of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions Industry in LATAM and the Caribbean took place at the Panama Convention Center in Panama City until June 13. In this context, Travel2latam spoke with Arnaldo Nardone, Director of Fiexpo Exhibitions Group, and ICCA World President.
What reflection can you contribute about what was experienced in this very special edition, which is the last in Panama?
Yes, it is a very special edition. I said it at the opening ceremony, it is that feeling of sadness and joy. On the one hand, the joy of the legacy that is being left in Panama during these three years, which is tangible, and that the locals themselves recognize and undoubtedly reiterate permanently, comparing what this was in 2022 and what it became in 2024 Today we can talk about the Association Hub, the installation of the regional ICCA office for this area in Panama, and its main references, such as Fernando Fondevila or Eugenia Powell.
They have also seen up close the infrastructure of the services that Panama has. That is to say, the balance is extremely positive for Panama and extraordinary for us, because Panama left its mark and set a level for other destinations. There was a noticeable improvement in the presentation of the destinations. When we forged the creation of Fiexpo, we thought of a place where there would be collaboration, but there would also be that kind of competition, where everyone could see what they were doing to improve themselves. Beyond the fact that we are the largest platform for business, education, and networking, it was also about that. I believe we have made it. In addition, all the global entities represented by their presidents and CEOs come, which generates a unique exchange of knowledge. Today destinations are becoming more and more professional in order to achieve that competitive advantage that we need with other regions, mainly when we think about the international market.
Perhaps the greatest satisfaction we have is that we grew, Panama grew and has great benefits and there are legacies for both sides. We are going to Costa Rica, to the capital San José and we are country by country leaving a legacy of growth and professionalism that goes hand in hand with the business and that ultimately makes for a good, more competitive final balance. I have witnessed how everyone goes home happy with plenty of tasks to do. And on the other hand, they are interested in alternative formats to Fiexpo such as the Motivation Luxury Summit, which was born from the trust they had in us and when the product was launched it was immediately accepted. At the first edition, people already knew that it was a super event for those who work on incentives and luxury trips.
It is very important to highlight that we are partners of UFI, the International Union of Fairs that also participates here as a specialized nation. We are a UFI audited fair, that means that our numbers were verified by an external auditing company, giving us our own guarantees of what we are saying.
How do you work to renew the buyers who bring event to event and surprise exhibitors so that everyone can generate business at each edition?
There is a very important mix here. There are three generations working on this team. It is a diverse, multicultural team. We have people from Mexico, Uruguay, Brazil, but the most important thing is worldwide. The Researcher of the Month is chosen, who did the best search for events and buyers in the world. The winner of the month of February was Cintia, our Head of Researchers and Buyers, which shows that this team is professionalized and knows the direction it has to take.
And if you ask me, I am president of the world ICCA, I have been in all the world entities, I know this sector, when you ask me I can contribute my experience, where we should go, because sometimes appearances can be deceiving. All these variables are born among good researchers, and on the other hand, they are accompanied by important authorities, destination by destination, because the challenge is not only to bring buyers, the challenge is that when they arrive they can negotiate hand in hand with real authorities who make decisions. The same as in the political forum, where the industry is seriously discussed and everything is tried to be done, because there have been collaboration agreements, exchange of knowledge, and understanding of what this business means.