For those unfamiliar with the association, how would you simply explain what ICCA is, whom it brings together, and what concrete benefits it offers to destinations, organizers, universities, and companies involved in the  nter of  nternational congresses?

The part I enjoy most is working with members and seeing their ideas come to life—whether through a winning bid, a successful congress, or the adoption of our intelligence tools. The biggest challenge is navigating a highly complex, dynamic global environment where political shifts, travel regulations, and economic uncertainty constantly affect planning. Balancing short-term operational pressures with long-term strategic initiatives for the industry requires constant attention and careful decision-making.

You know the  vents well. How is the meetings and congress market evolving in the Americas and Europe, and what real opportunities do you see for mid-sized cities seeking to attract  vents without losing their identity or overburdening residents?

In the Americas and Europe, meetings and congresses are evolving with regionalization, sustainability focus, and greater digital integration. Mid-sized cities now have opportunities to attract international events without losing identity by leveraging niche sectors, creating authentic experiences, and emphasizing local culture. The key is balancing capacity with community impact, providing efficient infrastructure, and offering tailored programs that highlight the city’s uniqueness. This allows cities to compete with larger hubs while maintaining their character and ensuring residents benefit rather than being overburdened.

In simple terms, what steps should a  nternation take if it wants to start competing for  nternational congresses: organize itself better, listen to academia and the medical sector, prepare venues, or focus first on connectivity, sustainability, and hospitality?

Organizations should start by assessing their capacity and infrastructure, understanding sector priorities—especially academic, medical, or scientific—and strengthening connectivity, hospitality, and sustainability credentials. Building relationships with associations, preparing venues, and demonstrating operational readiness are critical. Listening to stakeholders ensures offerings meet real needs, while data-backed proposals increase credibility. Starting small and gradually scaling helps organizations learn and refine strategies before targeting major international congresses. The focus should be on being prepared, reliable, and aligned with the values and expectations of associations.

Many people  ity  a congress only brings visitors for a few days. How would you explain the broader impact: shared knowledge, opportunities for students, investment,  ity, and  ity reputation? What simple examples help make this clear?

A congress’s impact extends far beyond visitor numbers. It drives knowledge sharing, student engagement, local investment, and city branding. For example, hosting a medical congress can catalyze university partnerships, fund research initiatives, and attract long-term investment in healthcare infrastructure. Students gain access to mentorship and networking, while local businesses and SMEs benefit economically. Even a short congress can leave a lasting imprint on a city’s reputation, create educational projects, and strengthen the professional ecosystem. The ripple effects are measurable, often continuing well beyond the event itself.

From the traveler’s point of view, what makes a congress venue feel welcoming and memorable: clear signage, easy transport,  ood local food, bright spaces, friendly service? Which everyday details truly make the difference, in your experience?

A venue feels welcoming when signage is clear, transport is easy, and spaces are bright and comfortable. Attendees notice friendly, knowledgeable staff, accessible facilities, good local cuisine, and intuitive layouts. Small details—well-marked meeting rooms, charging stations, quiet spaces, and attention to diverse dietary or accessibility needs—create memorable experiences. These seemingly minor elements often define attendee perception more than the formal program. Thoughtful design and attentive service turn a functional venue into a space where networking, learning.

Many decisions now start online. What would you recommend a  estination do to tell its story clearly on its website and social networks: useful videos, practical information, honest testimonials, cultural calendar? What common mistakes should be avoided to prevent confusing organizers?

Destinations must clearly tell their story through practical websites, engaging videos, cultural calendars, and honest testimonials. Information should be easy to navigate, highlighting venues, connectivity, services, and sustainability credentials. Common mistakes include cluttered content, outdated information, exaggerated claims, or unclear visuals, which confuse organizers. Clear, concise, and authentic communication builds trust and helps associations make informed decisions while projecting the destination as professional, accessible, and prepared to host international events.

Looking to the near future, what straightforward trends should destinations and venues watch: shorter events, hybrid audiences, authentic local experiences, themed gatherings? Where do you see the greatest opportunity for our cities to stand out without major investments?

Destinations should watch trends like shorter, more intense events, hybrid audiences, authentic local experiences, and themed gatherings. Cities can stand out by emphasizing unique cultural offerings, culinary experiences, and accessible outdoor venues rather than large capital investments. Personalized experiences, storytelling, and community integration create memorable events. Hybrid formats extend reach while maintaining physical attendance. The opportunity lies in combining local authenticity with operational efficiency, offering international participants experiences that are both distinctive and logistically seamless.

For a local SME that wants to get involved, how can it add value to a congress with no prior experience: welcome services, cultural tours, simple technology, local products? What practical advice would you give them to introduce themselves and start off on the right foot?

Local SMEs can contribute without prior experience through welcome services, guided cultural tours, simple tech solutions, or supplying local products. My advice: start small, understand the needs of delegates, collaborate with event organizers, and deliver quality service. Visibility and reliability matter more than scale. Each contribution builds credibility and fosters long-term relationships, gradually establishing the SME as a trusted partner for future events.

To close, a personal message: what would you say to those who think congresses are distant or only for experts? Why can they be a nearby opportunity to learn, connect, and open new doors within their own city?

Congress and meetings aren’t just for experts—they are opportunities for anyone to learn, connect, and grow. They bring global knowledge and innovation to local communities, create networking and business opportunities, and expose citizens to new ideas and collaborations. Participating in a congress can open doors that might otherwise remain closed, spark new projects, and strengthen local networks. For cities, it’s an invitation for residents to engage with international expertise without leaving home, making congresses both relevant and accessible to everyone.

We deeply appreciate your time, your clarity, and the generosity with which you have shared your vision, Mr. Senthil Gopinath. Your reflections not only provide a strategic understanding of ICCA’s role within the global meetings and congresses ecosystem, but also highlight your remarkable human qualities—marked by openness, coherence, and a strong commitment to the sustainable development of the sector. Your leadership is inspiring and offers invaluable value to all of us working to strengthen international cooperation in tourism and events.

From the Tourism and Society Think Tank, we extend our recognition of your professional trajectory and express our sincere interest in building avenues of collaboration with ICCA. We are confident that future joint initiatives will strengthen knowledge exchange, innovation, and positive impact in destinations. Once again, we thank you for the opportunity of this interview and for the privilege of learning from your perspective and professional excellence.