Congress world fret over competition

I'm in Rhodes, Greece for the annual convention of ICCA, the convention industry association. They're tickled to have attracted over 800 delegates. Strong delegations here from Korea and Thailand. I'm surprised that nobody from Macau made it given that the Venetian's opening date is now just 12 months away.

Leigh Harry of the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre is taking over as the organisation's new President while Pattaya Thailand will host its 2007 Congress, so plenty of Asia/Pacific interest. I'm talking on the region on Wednesday afternoon.

In an interesting session this afternoon led by a Dutch magician (those wacky Congress guys!), the delegates voted on the issues of most concern to them. Top of the list for all parts of the world were the proliferation of facilities and competition. There was me thinking that was just Asia.

Last nights opening reception was hosted in the Palace of the Grand Master (all very Da Vinci Code), pictured here.