PCMA acquires ICESAP

BUSINESS events industry veteran Nigel Gaunt has confirmed the acquisition of the Incentive, Conference & Event Society Asia Pacific (ICESAP), four years after he founded the organisation in a bid to boost standards in the sector.

ICESAP will become a division of the Chicago-based Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), with the deal seeing the group significantly boost its global footprint.

PCMA has 17 chapters across North America and Melbourne Convention Bureau chief Karen Bolinger is on its advisory board.

PCMA also provided the educational stream for the Asia- Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) in 2015 and 2016.

Gaunt told TD he was delighted at the acquisition of ICESAP by PCMA, saying the deal “represents the best possible future for our Society”.

“ICESAP will continue on delivering on our commitment to agency accreditation, member education and most importantly, advocacy for the benefits the sector brings to the businesses and economies of Asia Pacific”.

ICESAP is now based in Singapore and has an Asia-Pacific wide focus on strengthening the role of intermediary agencies.

The organisation launched an Agency Accreditation Scheme earlier this year and also offers industry education in partnership with William Angliss Institute.

Gaunt said the acquisition by PCMA was a validation of the investment of time and money he had made since 2013 “in establishing what I felt was needed for our industry”.

Prior to founding ICESAP, Gaunt had an extensive career in the sector as founder and md of The MINT Organisation, acquired by BI Worldwide in 2007.

He will continue to lead ICESAP, saying the tie-up with PCMA is likely to see the organisation increase its presence in “all key markets” including Australia.

Further details will be revealed at the upcoming ICESAP conference at the newly opened W Shanghai from 06-08 Sep.

See icesap.org/conference.