Newsletter – December 2024
2025 - A Year to Invest in Partnerships
If associations should understand one thing above all others, it is that a collective enterprise is far more powerful and likely to be more successful than the sum of its constituent parts. The circles of trust between members are more important than all the individual member-to-association relationships. Collaborating with other like-minded associations on mission-focused goals is more effective than going it alone or competing for attention. And selecting the best long-term partners - amongst IT companies and other service providers, strategic consultants, and especially the destinations that host association offices or meetings - is one of the most impactful decisions you can make.
2025 is not going to be the year when uncertainty suddenly decides to go on vacation! The world economy and financial systems are fragile and bubbly, geopolitical risks are everywhere and essentially unknowable (name one expert who predicted Syria!), AI's risk/reward balancing act could go either way. This is not the time to be isolated and alone, but to add "future partnerships" onto every Board meeting agenda.
Destinations that are committed to the association market, that understand the pressures and motivations of associations, that offer the strongest support services and specialised ecosystems - like Brussels, Dubai, Singapore and Washington DC - should be high on every association's list of potential partners for 2025 and beyond.
Martin Sirk
Global Association Hubs International Advisor
ms@associationhubs.org
The Association & Other Non-Technical Technologies
We hope you enjoy our latest article in media partner Boardroom magazine, whose theme in their latest edition is "Technology". We've pointed out that technology isn't
always technical, but relates to any form of replicable system that humans have invented to improve outcomes or solve problems, and this opens up a wide range of interesting concepts and models for better understanding our own organisations.
We also were happy to contribute towards another recent Boardroom article written by frequent Association Hubs collaborator Tommy Goodwin, based on the content from his webinar entitled "World in Motion: how International Associations can Manage Political Risks in 2025". Definitely a topic every association should be paying careful attention to!
To access the complete library of all Global Association Hubs articles appearing in Boardroom over recent years, each of which offers fresh perspectives on a wide range of strategic issues and challenges, simply type "Sirk" in the query box on the Boardroom home page, which can be found by clicking the magnifying glass symbol in the top-right corner of the screen.
Brussels in 2025
With a year under the sign of architecture and design, celebrating Art Deco, the year 2025 will be a year of roll-out of the recently inaugurated hotels and venues in Brussels, as well as the deployment of various new technology tools for visitors and meeting professionals.
International associations representatives may also learn more directly about all novelties while being at events on-site or at those where the visit.brussels team is present.
Around the globe you may find the Brussels team at MPI EMEC in Istanbul in February, Events Club Association Forum in March and September or ICCA Global Association Forum in July. Of course, we shall be at major international fairs such as IMEX, IFTM and IBTM.
In Brussels, discover every quarter the latest venues during the seasonal events organised by visit.brussels, or take part in the European Association Summit on 10 April. Brussels will also host the Break the Ice Forum in January, while in autumn it will be the turn of the UIA Roundtable.
Dubai in 2025
In 2025, the Dubai Association Centre (DAC) will oversee an exciting array of activities aimed at engaging and strengthening both our local and international ecosystem. DAC will actively participate in prominent conferences across key industries, sharing insights and fostering connections that drive knowledge, such as the Dubai Stem Cell Congress, the European Association Summit and the Associations World Congress. Additionally, DAC will organize several roundtable discussions during the first half of the year bringing together members and local stakeholders for in-depth discussions on critical topics shaping today’s most pressing issues. Our calendar also features the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme, which celebrates the achievements of member organizations within theDubai Department of Economy & Tourism and a fam trip, offering association a firsthand look at key opportunities in Dubai.
At the forefront of innovation and collaboration, DAC continues to connect, learn, and grow alongside its vibrant community. Stay tuned for more details on these exciting initiatives!
Singapore in 2025
Consistently ranked as Asia's Top Convention City by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Singapore is a global leader for business events. The Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) is readily accessible to associations looking to host events in Asia's premier meetings destination. You can find us at major international trade shows and industry events throughout the year, including The Meeting Show APAC IMEX
Frankfurt, IMEX America, IBTM World, PCMA Convening Leaders (CL) and Business of Events (BOE) and ICCA Congress. These events provide excellent opportunities to meet our team face-to-face and discuss how Singapore can support your association's goals. SECB also offers various platforms for engagement, including virtual meetings, and tailored destination presentations. For more information or to schedule a meeting with our team, please visit our website or contact us secb@stb.gov.sg. We look forward to partnering with you to create exceptional experiences in
Singapore: A City in Nature, where large experiences comes with small footprint.
Washington DC in 2025
The team from Destination DC, Washington's official destination marketing organisation, has an enormous calendar of worldwide promotional activities in the coming year. Simply click on the link below to view the latest schedule and where you can meet them to discuss your association's needs.
The Iceberg - become a partner
The Global Association Hubs partner cities Brussels, Dubai, Singapore and Washington DC are all partners of The Iceberg, the worldwide platform for sharing stories about the positive societal impact of international meetings, and especially those organised by associations.
The Iceberg has started to evolve from an industry-led platform to a true mass-movement organisation, and is encouraging associations, companies, destinations and others to influence their peers to join in this important advocacy initiative.
Please consider signing up as a Partner personally or on behalf of your association. Together we are so much stronger! Many voices, one message!
