Meet the faces behind ICCA's famous First Time Attendee programme! ICCA places huge importance on giving First Time Attendees (FTAs) 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 newbies as they join the ICCA Family.

Meet Campbell Arnott

Campbell is International Business Development Manager at Glasgow Convention Bureau, with a focus on international conferences of 1500+. He has held this role within the city for over 9 years, supporting Glasgow’s scientific community in the successful bidding for and delivery of major international conferences. Prior to this position, Campbell has worked within the Conference Team at 2 universities across Scotland, so has always been passionate about meetings, conferences and events and the positive impact they can have on the communities both from a financial and social perspective.

The Glasgow Convention Bureau focus on attracting association conferences to Glasgow through in-depth research and strategic bidding. The team are also responsible for the Glasgow Conference Ambassador Programme, a free accommodation booking service and client support, to position Glasgow as one of the best cities in the world to host a meeting. In 2019 Glasgow Convention Bureau was voted ‘Best UK Convention Bureau’ for a record breaking 13 years by readers of Meetings & Incentive Travel and in 2016 were winners of the ABPCO Chairmen’s Award for their work on conference legacy and impact.

Campbell attended his first ICCA Congress in Leipzig in 2011, followed by Prague 2017 and Dubai 2018 and is excited to support the First Time Attendees in their journey and to ensure they get the absolute maximum from their time at the Congress and make many new industry friends! 

Thank you to Campbell for becoming an FTA mentor at the 58th ICCA Congress in Houston, U.S.A.! Are you interested in helping our First Time Attendees to settle in? Find out more about the programme or email Ksenija.p@iccaworld.org to find out how you can become a mentor.