2025 INCON Leadership Retreat and University

We are thrilled to have organized the INCON 2025 University in the beautiful city of Abu Dhabi. We thank our sponsors the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau for their considerable support and expertise in helping us make such a tremendous meeting and immersive and educational experience. Abu Dhabi is a city renowned for its vibrant culture and as a hub for global conferences. INCON’s University participants had the opportunity to network with local leaders and explore the highlights of Abu Dhabi as a premier meetings destination. This year’s theme focused on harmonising financial and operational strategies, providing participants with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in managing conferences effectively, efficiently, and on budget.

Leadership Team

Event Partner

Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau’s main mission is to champion the emirate as a dynamic global business events leader. Since March 2013 it has driven and supported the development and promotion of business events throughout the emirate efficiently, effectively and transparently, and in partnership with all its stakeholders.

Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau is a ‘one-stop-shop’ offering solutions, help with planning the event and share local expertise. Key assistance includes researching bid opportunities, facilitating tailored bid strategies to ensure competitiveness, providing destination promotional collateral and boosting delegate numbers through the authority’s international offices.

INCON-ADCEB Masterclass -
Monday 14th April

Introduction

INCON developed a targeted masterclass to empower Abu Dhabi's local meetings ecosystem by focusing on strategic collaboration and aligning stakeholders. The program highlighted how partnerships among key players, the CVB, destination marketing teams, venues, government entities, PCOs, hotels, and DMCs, can position Abu Dhabi as a hub for international meetings and events.

The program addresseed the importance of local market readiness and how Abu Dhabi can capitalize on its unique infrastructure and global appeal to attract and host international events. Participants explored strategies to create value and deliver service excellence, with a strong focus on bidding for international conferences and leveraging a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) program.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand Strategic Collaboration:
   Attending this masterclass provided practical tools to elevate Abu Dhabi’s profile in the global meetings industry. By bridging local opportunities with international potential, the program aimed to position Abu Dhabi as a leader in the region and a hub for world-class events.

2. Enhance Market Readiness and Bidding Strategies:
   Provided tools and insights for crafting competitive bids, leveraging Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure, and engaging a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) program to successfully attract international conferences.

3. Elevate Service Excellence:
   Developed skills to differentiate Abu Dhabi as a premium destination by aligning service standards with global expectations, fostering innovation, and creating models for stakeholder collaboration and representation.

4. Harness Emerging Trends in Niche Markets:
   Explored innovations in medical and specialised events, equipping participants with strategies to prepare Abu Dhabi for leadership in niche markets while addressing global trends like sustainability and legacy.

INCON Board & University -
15 - 17 April

Introduction to the INCON University

This was a high level program with peer to peer education and knowledge exchange where participants took time to reflect, share perspectives, explore challenges and identify business opportunities. It aimed to equip participants with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in managing conferences effectively, efficiently and on budget. Throughout the University, interactive discussions, real-world case studies, and hands-on exercises ensured participants walk away with actionable insights and practical strategies to merge financial and operational management successfully for improved financial outcomes and enhanced client satisfaction. 

Learning Objectives 

1. Understand the concept of the value proposition and its importance in the context of financial and operational management.

2. Develop commercial savvy by learning to identify and capitalize on revenue opportunities

3. Enhance negotiation skills to effectively secure contracts at the right rate with clients, vendors, sponsors, and venues for a successful financial outcome.

4. Gain financial prowess by mastering budgeting, financial forecasting, and cost management strategies specific to conference planning and management.

5. Putting you in the right mindset so that finance and operational teams work hand in glove to ensure a successful outcome for the client and for the PCO.