Frankfurt, Germany — The ICCA Global Influencer Award 2026 has been presented to Ben Hainsworth,11 a recognised leader in the international not‑for‑profit sector and a long‑standing advocate for professional medical associations.
The ICCA Global Influencer Award is presented annually at the IMEX Gala Dinner and recognises an individual whose leadership, vision and influence extend beyond their own organisation to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the global meetings and business events industry.
The award was presented on the evening of 20 May at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, where ICCA President Marta Gomes had the pleasure of presenting the honour to Ben, who accepted the award in person during the ceremony.
Ben has built an outstanding international career with a particular emphasis on advancing professional medical associations and maximising the strategic value of meetings and events. Since 2019, he has served as Executive Director of EASL, the European Association for the Study of the Liver, leading an organisation with more than 5,500 members and an annual congress welcoming approximately 8,000 participants.
Under Ben’s leadership, EASL has expanded far beyond a single flagship meeting to encompass a diverse portfolio of hybrid educational events, a comprehensive online education platform, mobile solutions supporting healthcare professionals in clinical practice, and two leading scientific journals in hepatology. The association has also strengthened its role in health policy engagement, public health awareness, and patient involvement, extending the impact of its meetings well beyond the conference hall.
In addition to his professional achievements, Ben has made a significant contribution to the wider business events community through industry leadership and governance. He served on the PCMA Board of Directors (2016–2019) and currently sits on the AC Forum Board as Immediate Past President, as well as the Board of Trustees of The Iceberg, consistently advocating for the strategic, societal and economic value of international meetings.
ICCA CEO Dr. Senthil Gopinath commented: “It is a great privilege to recognise Ben Hainsworth with the ICCA Global Influencer Award. Ben exemplifies the very best of our industry — a connector, a mentor and a catalyst who understands how meetings can drive knowledge exchange, policy dialogue and real‑world impact. His work continues to inspire our global community.”
The ICCA Global Influencer Award transcends traditional sector boundaries to honour individuals who have made a profound difference to the global meetings industry through leadership, collaboration and purpose. In recognising Ben Hainsworth, ICCA celebrates not only an exceptional career, but a lasting commitment to advancing associations, strengthening communities and amplifying the impact of business events worldwide.