Business Exchange ICCA's success over four decades has been built on the principle of members exchanging commercial information with one another about recently hosted events. This is the foundation of ICCA's Association Database, and will be a central component of this year's congress. Upon registration each delegate will be requested to provide data on one major international event they have recently been involved with, and to be willing to share their insights and inside knowledge about this event with other delegates throughout the congress. ICCA Data will support delegates in ensuring that an unprecedented amount of commercially important data will be exchanged during the congress, turning the event into a massive intelligence gathering opportunity. The format is designed to ensure that commercial confidentiality issues are respected whilst encouraging interaction between the different categories of ICCA membership. Adequate time and space will be scheduled during the congress to enable pre-set and ad hoc meetings and information exchange to take place between delegates. It’s all about sharing leads about non-repeat business. You don’t have to be afraid of losing business because as soon as a piece of association business is yours, it won’t come back for 15 years or so. Verbal sharing of information is a purely voluntary matter; confidential data can be held back. All written material is included longer term in the online association database and is accessible to all members. All BE delegates are asked to give additional information in advance to events which were inputted into the database online. This is information regarding the decision making process, government support, matters relating to the budget and details on gala dinners, for instance. A pdf file containing this data is then sent to all persons involved, asking them to do their homework and be prepared when the time comes when they meet the persons they wish to speak to. Upon registration you will be able to indicate if you would like to participate in the Business Exchange. Instructions on how to put forward a lead for the Business Exchange will be included in your confirmation email, in addition to a link to an online lead submission form where you will need to complete background information on the event you are submitting. When submitting an event please make sure it meets the following criteria, it must:   - attract at least 50 participants - be held on a regular basis - rotate between at least 3 different countries Please note: In case of a past meeting, it should not have taken place more than 2 years ago.   The deadline to complete the Business Exchange application process is on 8 October 2009, should your application be incomplete after this date you will not be able to participate in the Business Exchange. If you have any questions on the Business Exchange or the application process please contact Michel Retz.