Kuching: ICCA Association Impact Masterclass launched

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) kicked off the inaugural Association Impact Masterclass today in Kuching.

The two-day specialised training program brings together 24 Malaysian and international association leaders who will be awarded the first-ever “Association Impact Leadership” Certificate upon completion.

ICCA equipping association leaders for impactful events

Held at the Borneo Convention Centre, the Masterclass delves into critical topics related to legacy building and creating impactful events.

Participants gain valuable insights, practical tools, and hands-on learning experiences to effectively communicate their association’s impact mission.

The program also covers strategies for scaling up partnerships and developing a comprehensive approach to impact planning, management, and measurement.

The course is led by renowned industry experts Genevieve Leclerc, co-founder and CEO of Meet4Impact, and Gary Grimmer, Executive Chairman of GainingEdge.

Leclerc and Grimmer are co-creators of this unique educational program designed to empower association leaders to drive meaningful change through their events.

Sarawak: A leader in legacy building

The Association Impact Masterclass underscores Sarawak’s proactive approach to establishing itself as the “Legacy Capital of Business Events” in Malaysia and Borneo.

This initiative aligns with the region’s Legacy Impact Master Action Plan 2023-2025, which aims to equip Sarawak’s business events industry with the skills and knowledge to host impactful meetings.

The Masterclass also contributes to the ICCA Skills association certification program, serving as a valuable preparatory step for other courses offered under the ICCA Skills umbrella.

Amelia Roziman, CEO of Business Events Sarawak, highlighted the program’s significance: “We are at a pivotal moment where associations need to translate ideas into tangible actions to create real impact.

Sponsoring and hosting the first Association Impact Masterclass reflects our commitment to empowering associations, both locally and globally, to become proficient and powerful changemakers through their events.”

Roziman expressed hope that participants would feel empowered to leverage the Masterclass lessons when organising business events in Sarawak and beyond.

She emphasised the importance of collaboration, stating, “We want associations to feel empowered and appreciate the support from our international partners. Together, we can build a lasting legacy for everyone.”

Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) serves as the exclusive Seed Grant Contributor for the Association Impact Masterclass. Their investment aims to cultivate a pool of qualified association professionals specializing in legacy impact.

This aligns with Sarawak’s vision to become the leading destination for legacy-driven business events in Malaysia and Borneo.

The Association Impact Masterclass is a collaborative effort between the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), GainingEdge (Australia), and Meet4Impact (Canada). The program is designed to be scalable, and destinations worldwide are welcome to express interest in hosting future iterations of the Masterclass.