14 companies and organisations from 12 countries on 5 continents successfully applied to join ICCA, the International Congress & Convention Association, during the last month, a record number for what has traditionally been a relatively quiet time of the year.

New members range from Township Patterns, a South African social enterprise which employs previously disadvantaged women to produce eco-friendly conference products, to the Oman Ministry of Tourism, and from the leading Chinese meetings industry publisher, MICE China, to the Grand Hotel Palace in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Martin Sirk, ICCA CEO commented: “Despite the challenging global economic environment we’re delighted to see continued growth in membership, including from countries which are suffering the most, and by the year’s end we estimate we’ll have received over 90 new applications in 2011.  I’m certain this can be attributed to the continued attraction of the international association meetings market, and the relevance of ICCA’s tools, database and business opportunities which are aimed precisely at this resilient segment.”