The UIA is pleased to report the success of the 18th Round Table Europe held in Florence in November. More than 110 participants from international associations and the meetings industry enjoyed the programme of presentations and workshops in the excellent facilities of the Palazzo degli Affari with the setting of the beautiful city of Florence. The event provided stimulating ideas, contacts new and renewed, and creation of memories.
The theme chosen was ‘It’s up to us’, a truth universally acknowledged by all who work in the sphere of association life. The UIA was proud to bring together leaders who shared ideas and thoughts from their valuable experience, and engaged their listeners to join actively in discussions. As ever, it became clear that associations with apparently different aims have much in common when it comes to the ways and means they employ to achieve those goals.
With speakers whose speciality ranged from astronomy to trees, from ophthalmology to artificial intelligence, from business to anthropology, the common theme emerged throughout – the past, present and future of associations, and their essential activities.
The President of the UIA, Cyril Ritchie, set the tone with his thoughtful account of the UN Summit of the Future and its relevance to association life. This led logically to the session chaired by Daniel Laqua, Northumbria University, on international cooperation and global governance, with historical precedents and prospects for the future. The closing keynote of Alberto Mattiello, author and futurist, brought these trends together with his thoughts on the construction of the future combining constancy with the disruption which is essential to innovation.
Parallel workshops offered difficult choices for the participants! The organization of a congress not only to benefit those present at the time but to leave a legacy – an aim of many associations nowadays – was described by Gianni Virgili, University of Florence, and Paolo Limoli, President of Vision 2025, together with Ginevra de Bellis, Ilenia Pasi and Anarita Burracchi. Leaving a future heritage was also the principle for Martina Fondi, Treedom, but her subject matter was very different as it involved reforestation, a vital concern for revitalizing and conserving nature. The extensive database of the UIA itself and how it can be used in many ways to find partners or achieve goals was explained by Ryan Brubaker, Web and Database Developer, UIA.
The value of collaboration between intellectual academics and international associations was explored by Sara Lucatello, European Astronomical Society, and Michela Pacifici, Society for Conservation Biology, Italian Chapter, together with Tobia Salvadori from the Convention Bureau Italia. The development of Artificial Intelligence was the very topical subject for Stefano Berretti, University of Florence. Also eminently current was the theme of Diye Ndiaye, anthropologist, being the UN Sustainable Development Goals and in particular the way associations are tackling equal opportunities.
Further opportunities for networking were afforded by the convivial cocktail and lunch. Participants who took advantage of the tours of the splendours of Florence benefitted from an unforgettable experience.
The UIA thanks its host partners who composed Team Florence for the occasion: OIC Group, Destination Florence Convention Bureau and Firenze Fiera whose exceptional organization, invaluable assistance with the event program and warm hospitality contributed to the undoubted success of the Round Table. The UIA also appreciates the role played by Gold Partner Jio World Convention Centre and Silver Partner Polish Tourism Organisation – Poland Convention Bureau, as well as Technology Partner Floq Conference Compass and Local Partners Treedom, Convention Bureau Italia and Toscana Promozione Turistica.
For the world of associations there is still much to be done, indeed ‘It’s up to us’.
Issue #14 – December 2024