Gathering over 600 delegates—including C-suite executives and industry experts—to discuss the challenges, prospects and ongoing innovation in the trade finance industry, the ICC Banking Commission’s Annual Meeting is one of the most prominent events in the banking calendar. If you need further incentive, here are three reasons why you should attend:

1. Celebrating one hundred years of ICC

The 2019 Annual Meeting marks the centenary of ICC—the world’s largest business organisation. As such, the conference will be especially focused on the ways in which ICC has worked to promote international trade in the past and the ways in which it will continue to do so in the future. As the trade finance sector continues its digital transformation , ICC’s role in pioneering standards and rules for the industry is as important as ever.

“The theme of the ICC Banking Commission meeting this year—‘Leading the way in global trade’—underlines the key role ICC has played for the past 100 years in supporting an international rules-based trading system”, says ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO. “This milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on ICC’s achievements as well as to look ahead to what more ICC can do to promote inclusive trade and sustainable growth. Trade finance figures prominently in that discussion and is crucial to our vision of enabling businesses worldwide.”

 2. Broaden your knowledge, expand your network

With a record number of attendees, including government officials, C-suite executives, industry experts, lawyers and insurers, this is an unmissable opportunity for delegates to broaden their knowledge and insight into the global trade finance sector, as well as engage and debate with one another. This will include taking a close look at the industry’s transformation—discussing the challenges and opportunities in increasing the efficiency of trade finance operations—and addressing ways to expand access to trade financing.

The meeting will include keynote and breakout sessions exploring trade finance policies, emerging trends, ICC rules and findings from flagship ICC Banking Commission reports, including the Global Survey and the Trade Register, both industry-leading initiatives exploring the state of the trade finance industry.

Click here to see a provisional programme for this year’s meeting.

3. Asia, the world’s premier trade finance hub

Asia is the world’s number one trade finance hub and China is the world’s largest trading nation. In turn, it is only fitting that the 2019 conference will take place in Beijing. This year’s Annual Meeting will accordingly dedicate a regional focus to the opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s evolving role in international trade and its focus on achieving self-sufficiency in key technology sectors through its Made in China 2025 strategic plan.

“It is a great pleasure to be hosting the 2019 Annual Meeting in Beijing,” comments Daniel Schmand, Chair of the ICC Banking Commission. “With Asia’s crucial position at the heart of the trade finance industry and the centenary of the ICC, it seemed an obvious choice to gather members and delegates here—in the midst of such a vibrant hub—to explore the wide range of opportunities and challenges the sector is currently facing.”

Register here for the 2019 Annual Meeting.