Future leadership & Resilience
Leadership is not about maintaining the status quo, but navigating change with courage, clarity, and compassion. Future Leadership & Resilience is designed to guide professionals in charting their own paths through uncertainty, equipping them with the tools, mindsets, and models needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving world.
By cultivating future-ready leaders and embracing resilience, the meetings and events industry is positioned to navigate complexities and seize emerging opportunities. Leadership today requires adaptability, emotional intelligence, and collaborative vision - qualities essential to thriving amid constant change. This track will empower ICCA delegates to deepen their leadership capacities, inspiring confident, purpose-driven action to elevate their organisations and communities toward a stronger future.
Ferreira Cellars is the backdrop for this track, which blends timeless tradition with forward-focused learning. With more than 250 years of winemaking excellence, Ferreira Cellars is one of Portugal’s most well-known Port wine cellars, offering a rich sensory and cultural experience. Its centuries-old vaults, exhibits, and historical stories from the Ferreira family tree provide a truly unique backdrop for reflection and transformative learning. This track focuses on personal transformation as a driver of industry evolution, diving deep into the processes of internal growth that allow true leadership to emerge.
Delegates will learn:
Leadership strategies and models to cultivate resilience and adaptability
Emotional intelligence and vulnerability as critical components of strong, empathetic leadership
Frameworks for lifelong learning, agility, and purpose-driven growth
Whether you're thinking about launching a start-up, leading a large organisation, or beginning your own leadership journey, this track empowers you to turn personal development into professional impact. At Ferreira Cellars , participants will not only explore their own resilience but create a blueprint for an inspired and purpose-driven future in the global business events industry.
Programme
In Track 2, Taubie Motlhabane, CEO, Cape Town International Convention Centre and Anju Gomes, Senior Regional Director Middle East, ICCA guide you through a forward-looking journey to help you and your organization futureproof your leadership and management strategies. This experience is designed in four key stages:
Your facilitators and experts for these workshops include Anna Case, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre; Carina Montagut , Feria Valencia; Ana Sa, expert in International Human Design School; Lisa Schulteis, Neuroscience and Experience Design; and representatives from Sunway University (ICCAUni member) and Marina Bay Sands.
1. Exploring Future Trends:
We begin with a deep dive into major trends shaping our world, using insights from key partners such as the Future Meeting Space and their research on 13 emerging megatrends. Session moderated by Jane Cunningham, Director of European Engagement, Destinations International. Expect visionary perspectives rooted in science, business, and community.
2. Immersive Scenario Experience:
Next, join Kurby Court, CEO from the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre for an interactive session on managing high-stakes and challenging congresses at your venue or destination.
3. Inspiration Through Ideas:
Be inspired by TEDx-style talks focusing on future leadership and resilience. These sessions are designed to spark ideas and shift perspectives. Tommy Goodwin, Executive Vice President of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA)—the advocacy organization for the business events industry—and Ross Steele will share how they’ve led through crises in diverse contexts, from climate challenges to geopolitical disruptions.
4. Expert-Led Group Conversations:
We’ll close the afternoon with small group discussions on critical future-readiness topics, including:
- Crisis Management & Resilience Planning: Scenario-based roleplay to sharpen crisis response skills
- Leading Teams through Uncertainty: Practical approaches for motivating and managing teams during disruption
- AI & Tech for Leadership & Resilience: Leadership decisions around AI deployment, building resilient organizations, strategy development (risk vs. open), and connections to cybersecurity (e.g., intellectual property, liability)
- The Resilient Leadership Mindset: Tools for cultivating emotional intelligence and adaptability
- Well-being Research: Insights from the 2025 white paper on well-being
- Applying Neuroscience to Events: Understand how neuroscience can enhance engagement and experience in event design
Your facilitators and experts for these workshops include:
- Anna Case, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Carina Montagut, Feria Valencia
- Ana Sa, Expert in International Human Design School
- Lisa Schulteis, Neuroscience and Experience Design
- Representatives from Sunway University (ICCAUni member) and Marina Bay Sands