The only global meeting place for chambers
The World Chambers Congress is organized by ICC's
World Chambers Federation. Held every two years in different regions of the world, the World Chambers Congress is the only international forum for chamber executives worldwide to share best-practice experience, develop networks and learn about new areas of innovation from other chambers as they face the challenge of remaining relevant to companies in their region.
The 6th World Chambers Congress will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 3-5 June 2009. The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) is the co-host for the event. For more information on this Congress visit www.KL2009.com.
The 2nd Congress in Seoul, June 2001 gathered chamber leaders from over 85 countries and the 3rd Congress in Quebec City, September 2003, brought together over 1300 participants. The 4th Congress in Durban, South Africa gathered over 800 delegates from 88 countries. The 5th Congress, the most successful to date, gathered over 1769 delegates from 104 countries
Chambers from the Americas are already registering their interest to host the Congress in 2011 when the congress returns to this region, after Quebec in 2003. Bids must be received from all 2011 candidates by May 2008.
Registrations of interest have been received from Chambers in 2013 (Africa & Middle East) and 2015 (Europe).
The Congress addresses at a practical level how chambers can serve, strengthen and support their member companies. Congress speakers include chamber of commerce, business and government leaders.
Key themes of the Congress include:
chamber management and financing issues developing new chamber services IT and e-business for chambers special needs of chambers in developing countries chamber partnerships- local, regional, national & transnational chambers working with government chambers working for SME's attracting members and keeping them happy chambers and their communities chamber branding and accreditation chambers and young entrepreneurs;
Key features of the World Chambers Congress include the World Chambers Competition and an extensive Exhibition Area for chambers to promote their region and activities, as well as showcasing leading corporates.
The 1st World Chambers Congress held in the city of Marseille in September 1999 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the Marseille-Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the oldest chamber in the world. Each congress builds upon the success of the last.
The 2nd Congress in Seoul, June 2001 gathered chamber leaders from over 85 countries and the 3rd Congress in Quebec City, September 2003, brought together over 1300 participants.
The 4th World Chambers Congress in Durban, South Africa (20-22 June 2005) was the first WCF congress on the African continent. Co-hosted with the Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry, this congress gathered over 850 delegates from 88 countries. Such results have firmly established the World Chambers Congress as the premier international event for chambers, to reach out and build relationships, with their colleagues from all over the world.
Interested in co-hosting this event?
With many chambers expressing interest in hosting the WCF World Chambers Congress, a guide has been developed to help chambers better understand the roles and responsibilities of co-hosting the congress, plus providing some background information into the steps and information to include in your candidacy.
Chambers are encouraged to submit their bid well in advance, as selection of the host chamber and venue is made 3 years prior to the event. This timing has been selected upon the advice of previous Congress hosts, allowing your chamber adequate time to generate local and national support for your bid from chambers, government and companies. Issues, such as the availability of congress venues are also an important decision factor for potential hosts.
Your chamber's first step in submitting its candidacy is for your chamber's President/CEO or Chairman of your organizing committee, to confirm in writing to the WCF Chair, the expression of interest of your chamber in hosting the World Chambers Congress.
Your chamber's bid will be confirmed and registered by the WCF secretariat, and reported to the WCF Steering Committee and ICC Secretary General. As part of its expression of interest, your chamber should indicate the year in which it wishes to host the event, noting the timetable schedule of Congress locations found within this document.
Following a presentation to the WCF Steering Committee, a special Congress Selection Committee is made up of representatives from local, regional, national chambers of commerce, small and large chambers (in terms of staff and membership), plus public and private law. The group is chaired by the WCF Chair, and includes WCF Vice Chairs, Task Force & Committee chairs, plus previous and confirmed hosts of the World Chambers Congress.
Click on the covers to learn more on past congresses.
|
.bmp "1st WCC Cover")
