The Winds of Change blew strong at IFES long-awaited 2022 World Summit (15-17 June 2022) held at Amsterdam’s beautiful Felix Meritis– a hotspot for creativity and crossover between scientists, artists, entrepreneurs and thinkers. This 4500 m2 Louis Seize-style building, christened Felix Meritis (translated: “happy through merit”), was built during the Age of Enlightenment yet proved an ideal choice for a modern AGM.

The excitement was palpable right from the outset, as IFES members began arriving from around the world and enjoying the in-person reunion with colleagues after years apart. In an industry that thrives on connections, around 170 members from more than 30 countries finally had the opportunity to compare experiences and share their learnings from two years under the constraints of the pandemic.

The Summit kicked off with the AGM, feedback and induction of new members, followed by a memorable Welcome Dinner with Ras Al Khaimah. Attendees enjoyed inspiring and thought-provoking talks by speakers Detlef Wintzen, Kai Hattendorf, Käthe Fleischer, got up close and personal with each other under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Carola Hieker, were encouraged not to “Go Back to Sleep” by Rob van Rijswijk, Elke Moebius and Stefan Eckert and left the venue reinvigorated by the concept of “Schoonheid” as explored by Daan Roosegaarde. 

The Solutions Tables sparked robust debate and the gathering got to hear the recommendations from these discussions the next morning at breakfast.

The programme, through Thursday and Friday was compelling and the critical issue of sustainability was explored at length. Jörg Zeissig, David O Connor, David De Dios, Kai Hattendorf, Marieke van Eijndhoven, Edwin van der Vennet, Pauline Teyssedre, Beatrice Eastham, Clemens Arnold and Sarah Chew explored the sustainability options available to the Exhibitions and Events industry and mapped out a path to take IFES forward on its journey to reaching Net Zero Carbon Events in the near future.

While the World Summit celebrated the green shoots of recovery in the exhibitions industry and resuming business took centre stage; for many, the opportunity to network, reconnect and re-establish the relationships that make the IFES network such a formidable force, was the highlight of the event.