Delzenne Laetitia, Senior Project Manager - introducing her association
1. When was your association founded?
1885
2. Where is your association based, how many members do you have & in how many countries?
Brussels, more than 1600 members throughout over 100 countries. UITP also has 16 offices around the world.
3. Who are your members?
Our members are public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, national associations, research institutes and the public transport supply and service industry.
4. What is your mission & aim of the association?
We are working to enhance quality of life and economic well-being by supporting and promoting sustainable transport in urban areas worldwide. UITP main missions are advocacy and outreach, knowledge, business intelligence and networking.
5. What are the major challenges facing your association?
Maintaining high quality services to the members, reflecting a global, diverse and evolving mobility while ensuring a financial sustainability for the association.
6. What kind of events are organised by your association?
From Global biannual Summit (40,000m2 exhibition and above 2,600 delegates), Regional biannual congresses in Dubai and Singapore, ad-hoc regional congress and conferences, international thematic conference, European events, workshops and seminar, CEO Forum, worldwide training academy programmes, committee meetings, EU project final events, board meetings, general assembly and internal incentive meetings…
7. What is the decision process behind the selection of a destination/venue?
Different models as per the type of activities. We have an extensive bid process for the UITP Summit, open call for interest of members for hosting conferences, board and committee meetings, some partnerships with convention centres and other related events, development of long-term training centres… UITP remains always open to proposal, partnership when developing its activities.
8. Can you share your insights about the latest trends within the association community?
After many discussions around the governance of association, it seems now that an effective balance between members needs vs. commercial activities is of interest not only to a few but many more. Financial sustainability is a must to further develop and remain relevant.
9. What does your association do in terms of legacy, do your meetings have a societal impact on the destination?
Dealing with public transport, our association aims to showcase best practices, advocate for climate, help to secure better service to the users, and offer a lifestyle for all. UITP interacts at different level to do so: political level, international organisation, young generation and among peers to ensure the right system is implemented. UITP events are usually a tool for our members to support their agenda.
10. Are you looking to forge collaborations with other associations? If so in what areas of expertise?
We are constantly forging collaborations with national associations in mobility sector as well as with international sister’ organisations sharing common missions. UITP also collaborate with associations of relevance for our advocacy plans (workers safety, workforce diversity, gender balance…).
UITP also enjoy sharing knowledge with peers’ association executives. While we do not have same content to work on, we often have similarities to deal with to run smoothly a sustainable association.
For more information on UITP please check their website: www.uitp.org