Kenya has won four international conferences and received leads for over 50 global events from the just-concluded International Congress and Conventions Association (ICCA) congress.
The Congress took place last week in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
They are the Asia Pacific Association of Technology & Society -APATAS in 2025, the Association of African Association of Agricultural Economists -AAAE in 2026, the International Water Resources Association -IWRA 2027 and the International Association of Applied Linguistics -AILA in 203.
The four conferences are expected to attract approximately 5,700 delegates and, through the multiplier effect, inject approximately 2.1 billion shillings into the country’s economy.
These conferences underscore the importance of Kenya’s MICE business and if fully exploited can contribute immensely to the County’s GPD.
Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) CEO James Mwaura who is also the recently elected Chair of the ICCA Africa chapter said the conferences will increase Kenya’s profile as a preferred Meetings, Incentives Travel, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) destination.
“KICC will engage the tourism industry stakeholders to develop very attractive pre and post-conference packages that will ensure the delegates get an all-rounded Kenyan experience during their stay in the country,” he said.
ICCA is an international body which represents the world’s leading suppliers in handling, transporting and accommodating international meetings and events.
It comprises 1,100 member companies and organisations across the world and specializes in the international association’s meetings sector in 100 countries. The Body has six chapters categorized from the geographical regions.
The ICCA congress brings together all the members and key associations around the globe to network and exchange business leads and opportunities.
The African chapter has about 50 members and plays a pivotal role in developing and growing the local meetings and events industry and enhancing the global competitiveness of the continent.
Mwaura said that for the first time in the ICCA congress history, Africa won the chapter challenge showcasing the resilience and positioning of Africa to host Association rotational conferences.
He further added that KICC will work with other stakeholders to place the bids for hosting the other 50 business leads that the Corporation mined from the conference.
