My experience of an events congress in Krakow

Hi, my name is Lara Crabtree and I am a final year Events Management student at Leeds Beckett University. In November 2022 I was selected as the scholarship student for the 61st ICCA Congress which this year was held in Krakow, Poland. ICCA stands for the International Congress and Convention Association. The Congress offers in depth knowledge in different sectors such as events, communications, business development, data, and education. It has members from over 100 countries and territories with multiple networking opportunities.

I was very nervous for my first abroad congress event experience. Even though the course had fully prepared me for the content and conversations I was going to have, I felt anxious, but I did not let that phase me! I arrived in Krakow in the evening on Sunday 6th November, and delved right into the content the following day. Walking into the International Cultural Centre in Krakow was a huge moment for me, I suddenly felt like a proper adult surrounded by other members of the industry with years of knowledge and experience. I was treated equally and fairly from the get-go which helped me to settle into the congress. 

I filled my first day with as many sessions as I could. It was an exciting and eye-opening experience where I was able to join conversations about the industry and the considerations that were necessary in order to regenerate our sectors after the pandemic, making events safer, more inclusive and sustainable. I met lots of different individuals from all over the world and even some from the UK. I was also able to meet professionals from the UK & Ireland chapters of the ICCA who were so welcoming and informative in aiding me to better immerse myself in the congress experience. I spent lunch with members of the ICCA UK Chapter and we were able to try some traditional Polish cuisine which was lovely. 

My favourite session from my first day was called ‘Workforce planning, the war for talent and recruitment’. It was so interesting to see the opinions of professionals in our industry when it came to recruiting and their views towards my generation (GEN Z). Those views were not very promising and it was disheartening to see my generation is stereotyped as lazy, phone obsessed people with unrealistic work expectations. However, this is a stereotype I am passionate to help change. 

After my first full day, I was also able to gain some practical hands on experience by helping to set up for the Gala Dinner. This was where I met the four other students that were selected to attend the ICCA Congress. I became friendly with two of the students from Hochschule Hannover. It was so lovely speaking to the other girls about their education and endeavours within the industry, as well as their views and attitudes towards the congress. 

For my second and final day I met up with Annika and Katerina from Hanover to explore Krakow Old Town. There was so much to see and do, it truly is a lovely city with remarkable beauty. After we spent the morning exploring, we returned to the International Cultural Centre to attend further breakout groups, plenaries and sessions. One of my favourites was the breakout session called ‘The Polish Effect: hosting UEFA in 2012’ which investigated the impact of the football Euros held in Poland and Ukraine. Here, I could apply the knowledge I had learnt in university but also gain new knowledge from the session. 

On the final evening there was an event called ‘Back to School’, where everybody got dressed up in school related clothing and the members of the Chapters participated in rivalry games. While they competed, us students indulged in the delightful selection of food on offer – best cheeseburger I’ve ever had! The evening was definitely one of my favourite moments. As an Event Manager I did notice a few things I may have done differently... but I guess we are always on the lookout to help when it comes to events!

Looking back on the whole trip, the great thing for me was not only the new knowledge I acquired but also the culture I was able to experience and enjoy. Events go further than planning and coordinating - they delve deeper to unite people no matter their backgrounds, cultures, communities, gender, race or sexuality. One of the many reasons I selected this course is that events shape lives, connect people and curate memories, and these are the moments we cherish and look back over.

This degree has in many ways helped to shape me as a person. I decided to choose this course by following a passion of mine – being surrounded by the people I love and making memories with them that I could look back on with the greatest fondness. So why wouldn’t I want to create those experiences for others? I knew Leeds Beckett was where I wanted to go after I chatted to some of our wonderful lecturers. Their passion for this course and the love they had for events was infectious. Since being a student here, I’ve been fortunate to have some wonderful experiences such as this scholarship, which I am so grateful for.