Stiff competition for 11th World Chambers Congress bid
The bidding to co-organize the 11th World Chambers Congress has officially begun. Held every two years in a different region of the world, the Congress will return to the Americas for its 2019 edition.
Each setting their sights on victory, three chambers have confirmed their intention to bid: The Brazilian Commercial and Business Associations (CACB), the Bogota Chamber of Commerce (Colombia) and the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce (United States).
The World Chambers Congress is a dynamic event that opens up an array of new opportunities and interconnections for the global community of chambers of commerce found in every city, region and country across the world. It is the only gathering of its scale and scope and provides a unique occasion to share best-practice experiences, develop networks and learn about new areas of innovation. The Congress also features the prestigious World Chambers Competition, which recognizes the most innovative projects undertaken by chambers of commerce and industry worldwide. These are among the many reasons chambers are enticed to host this event — WCF has received expressions of interest right up to 2021.
“The Congress is the only event of its scale and scope and provides a unique occasion to share best-practice experiences, develop networks and learn about new areas of innovation.
All three chambers are active members of the World Chambers Federation (WCF), making for some interesting competition as the bidding progresses. The Orlando Regional Chamber held leadership positions in the WCF from 2006 to 2008. In an effort to lend support to Mexico’s winning bid in 2008, CACB withdrew its candidacy uniting a Latino bid against Los Angeles. CACB was the first to submit their letter of intent in August of 2012 – reactivating their initial interest to co-organize the 2011 Congress. CACB and the Bogota Chamber leaders are currently serving on the WCF General Council, a governing body that sets the strategic direction and development of WCF’s services. Additionally, the Bogota Chamber and CACB have been past winners in the renowned World Chambers Competition.
The 50 member WCF General Council and its Chairmanship will act as judges for the Congress bidding. Votes will also be made by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary General . “Each candidate will be assessed based on a wide range of criteria, such as the chamber’s team strength, destination accessibility and appeal, institutional capacity, global network and chamber community reach,” said Anthony Parkes, WCF Director.
“Each candidate will be assessed based on a wide range of criteria: chamber’s team strength, destination, accessibility and appeal, institutional capacity, global network and chamber community reach.
Candidates are required to submit the first draft of their bids to the jury one month before delivering a live presentation at the WCF General Council meeting on 4 November in Madrid, Spain. Candidates are expected to present their offers and convince jury members why their location would be the premier destination for the 11th World Chambers Congress in 2019. Final versions of each candidate’s bid will be circulated on 18 November. WCF Chairman Peter Mihok, will announce the 2019 Congress co-organizer in early December.
Currently, Sydney Business Chamber is gearing up for the 10th Congress, which will take place in Sydney, Australia from 19-21 September 2017.
