Meet the faces behind ICCA's famous First Time Attendee programme! ICCA places huge importance on giving First Time Attendees (New-Bees) at the ICCA Congress a very warm welcome. Each year, just before the ICCA Congress begins, new attendees are invited to join a specialised session that aims to prepare them for success. Jam-packed full of helpful advice that is delivered from member to member, the programme has been delivered to over 3,000 delegates since it initially began and is designed with care to help them network, do business, learn, and maximise the benefits of attending their first ICCA Congress.

At the centre of the entire programme are the people we couldn’t do it without: our mentors, an amazing group of ICCA members and #ICCAFriends who are Congress veterans and want to help support and steer our New-Bees as they join the ICCA Family.

Marta Gomes, Sales Director Viparis

Marta has worked nearly twenty years in the meetings industry, and has worked with professors, association executives and destination partners to attract international congresses to Paris, one of world’s most popular cities for association meetings. She is charge of sales and business development for Viparis, who hosts nearly 1,000 events a year in 10 venues in the Paris region. Marta is also a citizen of Europe, having grown up in Portugal, studied in the UK and now living in France. She represents the European region on the ICCA Board, where she currently serves as 1st Vice President, after leading the France-Benelux chapter for several years beforehand. She leads the ICCA Skills committee to provide a high-level certified training program for ICCA members from 2022 onwards, contributes to the ICCA Association Community Advisory Board, and has led this year’s Annual Congress Education Committee. International cooperation, innovation, collaboration with our clients and education are key factors that will contribute to a bright future for the business events industry.

Thank you to Marta, for being a mentor to our New-Bees! Are you interested in helping our New-Bees to settle in? Please email Ksenija.p@iccaworld.org to find out how you can become a mentor.

Let’s get social by using the following hashtags: #ICCANewBee #ICCAMentorBee #LetsGetBuzzing #ICCA2021