Speakers at the ICCA Central European Chapter Meeting 2024
Stefan Bonsels
Head of Basel Convention Bureau
Stefan works since 1994 in the meetings industry. He began his career with Sheraton and Swissôtel in Frankfurt and Zurich before he started to work for the Convention Bureau of Basel Tourism in 2004. In 2022 he took up his current role as Head of the Basel Convention Bureau.
Friday, August 30, 3.00pm:
Panel Discussion: “Redesigning the congress of the future: a new approach to legacy.”
Joel Casse
Senior Executive Leadership and Executive Team Development at Nokia
From 2010 to 2023 Joel Casse was Global Head of Leadership Development for Nokia leading a team responsible for designing and delivering Nokia’s portfolio of Corporate Leadership Programs targeting frontline, middle, executive, and high potential leaders.
Joel remains active in delivering in-house leadership trainings spanning across various topics including empowerment, leadership styles, and collaboration. He is also an educator for Duke CE and Emeritus business schools and delivers executive trainings for their client organizations.
Saturday, August 31, 9.45am:
Keynote on Leadership
Martin Christen
Professor of Geoinformatics and Computer Graphics, FHNW
Martin Christen is a professor at the Institute of Geomatics at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). His main research interests are geospatial Virtual- and Augmented Reality, 3D geoinformation, interactive 3D maps, and Artificial Intelligence.
Martin Christen is very active in the Python programming language community. He teaches various Python-related courses and uses Python in most research projects. He also organizes several conferences, such as GeoPython, EuroPython, EuroSciPy, and Pycon.de
Friday, August 30, 3.00pm:
Panel Discussion: “Redesigning the congress of the future: a new approach to legacy.”
Stefica Divkovic
Managing Director, Encore EMEA
Stefica Divkovic was named Managing Director of Encore EMEA in March 2024, and is responsible for the development and delivery of the company’s multi-year strategic plan for the EMEA region.
Stefica brings a wealth of experience and expertise, having spent the last two years with Everbridge Inc. as Senior Vice President of EMEA, focusing on scaling customer and partner relationships across the region. Prior to Everbridge, she led both DACH and EMEA businesses for Verizon, and held senior leadership roles at large global organisations such as T-Systems. Stefica brings expertise in business growth, operations, and cultural transformation in highly competitive environments, as well as a relentless focus on the customer experience.
Friday, August 30, 2.00pm:
Panel Discussion: "Balancing budgets amidst rising costs: strategies from industry leaders"
Efi Koudeli
Regional Director for Europe at ICCA
Over the years, Efi has been connecting the dots between teams and projects, destinations and communities, and has extensive hands-on expertise in destination management and the meetings industry.
Currently serving as the Regional Director for Europe at ICCA, she drives sustainable community growth through collaboration, innovation, and ecosystem stewardship. Efi's experience includes roles at the Greek National Tourism Organisation, IATA in Spain, This is Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau. She thrives when working in nimble teams, organizations with human-centered cultures, diverse environments, and on projects developed with a forward-looking mindset.
Friday, August 30, 10.45am:
ICCA Connect: What’s new and next
Aurelie Litynski
Positive Work Culture Expert & TEDx Speaker
Aurelie Litynski is a TEDx speaker and has received training from leading global experts and obtained multiple certifications in positive psychology, change management and emotional intelligence. As the founder of Happitude at Work, she draws from her extensive training and experience to develop workshops, programs, and public events focused on employee experience, positive leadership, emotional intelligence and human-centric culture. She works with SMEs, multinational organizations, and corporate leaders all around the globe, empowering them to boost positivity, productivity, and performance in the workplace .
Friday, August 30, 1.30pm:
Keynote on Mastering our Stress Level and Boosting Focus at Work
Saturday, August 31, 9.00am:
Keynote on Making a Difference with Positive Leadership
Anneke Hibbel
Executive Director, Cartilage Executive Office
Dr. Anneke Hibbel grew up in the Netherlands, and her academic career as a biologist took her first to Germany and then to Switzerland. In 2017, Anneke Hibbel left research to pursue a career in science management. She is passionate about working with young and experienced scientists, clinicians and leaders to promote excellence in research and teaching. In her previous position at the University of Zurich, she was responsible for setting up the newly founded Department of Quantitative Biomedicine as Managing Director. In January 2024, Anneke joined the International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) as Executive Director to lead the operational management of the Society and support its strategic development, with the aim of promoting the Society’s continued success - for the benefit of patients.
Friday, August 30, 3.00pm:
Panel Discussion: Redesigning the congress of the future: a new approach to legacy.
Olivia Montanari Bürgin
Key Account Director, Congrex Switzerland Ltd.
Olivia embarked on her journey in the PCO industry nearly 25 years ago. In 2020, she stepped into the role of Key Account Director, where she manages two major European clients for Congrex: ECTRIMS and ESOC. Olivia oversees the entire project team at Congrex, working closely with society leaders.
Her passion for the medical congress sector is evident in her collaborative efforts with the ECTRIMS Executive Manager and Committee, as they shape the association's future strategy to sustain and expand their global leadership in multiple sclerosis (MS). In celebration of ESOC's 10th anniversary in Basel in 2024, Olivia facilitated an innovative approach to legacy, partnering with the city of Basel and the local organizing committee.
Friday, August 30, 3.00pm:
Panel Discussion: Redesigning the congress of the future: a new approach to legacy.
Roger Oberholzer
CEO of Metaverse Academy & Strategy Director at Kuble AG
Roger Oberholzer is a seasoned executive and strategist with extensive experience in digital innovation. Currently serving as the CEO of Metaverse Academy and Strategy Director at Kuble AG, he has studies economics, in Zurich, Rotterdam and in the Engadin. He has work experience as Chief Learning Officer in a Swiss Business School, co-founder of a digital agency and served as an exeucutive strategy director at Publicis Communication. With his passion for Artificial Intelligence and immersive virtual experiences, Roger is committed to educating and guiding teams through the complexities of the new technological transformation.
Friday, August 30, 11.00am:
Workshop: Transformation of Everything through AI and Mixed Reality
Paul Rulkens
International keynote speaker on high performance teams, leadership and innovation
As a professional speaker, published author, and boardroom advisor, Paul Rulkens is a global expert in how to use unconventional strategies to create extraordinary outcomes in the laziest way possible.
Some of the world's leading companies – think UBER, McKinsey, Siemens, ASML and Nestlé – have trusted his insights and expertise.
His background in chemical engineering, combined with a deep understanding of behavioral psychology and neuroscience, makes his approach both unique and grounded in common sense.
Saturday, August 31, 11.45am:
Keynote on How the Best get Better
Felix Rundel
Co-Founder futurehain (Speaker & Moderator at ICCA CEC 2024)
Felix Rundel is the co-founder and Co-CEO of futurehain, a solutions studio at the intersection of science, innovation and society. Combining strategic concepts and creative meeting design, Felix’ work leverages the power of interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle the grand challenges of our time. Based in Berlin, Felix is a consultant to international clients from science, policy and industry, an advisor to several not-for-profit organisations, and former Executive Director of the Falling Walls Foundation.
Friday, August 30, 8.45am:
Business Events of the Future – from Imagination to Realization
Sebastian Schopp
Head of Business Development, Travel, Google
As Head of Business Development, Travel at Google, Sebastian is responsible for hotel partnerships in EMEA and leads some of Google's hotel initiatives globally. Previously, he was part of Google's Sales Organization and helped clients in the Finance, Retail and Travel industries grow their businesses online. Sebastian loves traveling and discovering new places.
Friday, August 30, 2.00pm:
Panel Discussion: "Balancing budgets amidst rising costs: strategies from industry leaders"
Matthias Schultze
Managing Director, GCB German Convention Bureau
Matthias is passionate about driving change and innovation, focusing on future proofing meetings and events as vital platforms for knowledge exchange.
In 2010, he took up his current role as managing director of the GCB German Convention Bureau that represents and markets the German meetings and conference sector on a national and international level. Together with Fraunhofer IAO Matthias has initiated the “Future Meetings Space” innovation network, that anticipates relevant developments in the event industry to derive indications for future requirements.
Friday, August 30, 9.30am:
Keynote on Business Events in a Transformative Era
Mégane Simeon
Bid & Communication Manager, Geneva Convention Bureau
As a dynamic young professional, Mégane Simeon started her career in the meeting industry at the Geneva Convention Bureau. She is currently working on the acquisition of conferences for the destination, as well as managing the communication and Ambassadors' programme for the CVB.
Eager to establish meaningful conversations to spark ideas for impactful projects and changes, she is part of the Destinations International 30 under 30 Class of 2024. As an advocate for sustainability and inclusivity, she is committed to promoting these causes within the meetings and events industry.
Saturday, August 31, 11.00am:
Engaging the Future of our Industry: Insights and Opportunities Shared by Young Professionals
(shared session with Christina Strohschneider)
Krisztina Stiegeler
Senior Project Manager, DIA EMEA
Krisztina began her career in the hospitality and event sector in 2010. She transitioned to event organization in 2014 with an internship at Congrex Switzerland. After five years, she changed to the association side and joined the Drug Information Association (DIA) as a Project Manager for Trainings. In November 2019, she was recognized as one of the top 30 Meeting Professionals under 30 by the ICCA and attended the Young Professional Forum. Shortly before the pandemic, she was promoted to Senior Project Manager and has since overseen DIA’s European Annual Meeting.
Friday, August 29, 3.00pm:
Panel Discussion: "Redesigning the congress of the future: a new approach to legacy."
Christina Strohschneider
Head of the Vienna Office, bnetwork
Christina Strohschneider discovered her passion for the meetings industry in 2018. Since then she has held roles at the Vienna Convention Bureau, the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation, the Austria Center Vienna. She is currently working as Head of the Vienna Office at the housing specialist bnetwork.
She is one of the European representatives in ICCA’s Future Leaders Council 2023-2025 and a member of the PCMA 20 in their Twenties Class of 2022. Christina proudly identifies as Generation Z, and as such is an advocate for sustainability, collaboration and supporting young talents in the event sector.
Saturday, August 31, 11.00am:
Engaging the Future of our Industry: Insights and Opportunities Shared by Young Professionals
(shared session with Mégane Simeon)
Panos Tzivanidis
Director of Corporate Events & Services for the International Olympic Committee
Panos and his team are responsible for a large variety of activities: all events organised by the IOC worldwide, with accommodation, travel and accreditation needs for the Olympic family, all events around the Games period, plus the Olympic Club, the exclusive hospitality area for the Olympic family, heads of state, VIPs and dignitaries. He is also responsible for the operations of the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, as well as the facilities and general services for all the IOC premises.
He joined IOC in June 2013 after having spent 2 years as the Head of Travel & Conferences for UEFA, widely known for the organization of the Champions League, Europa League and National teams EURO tournaments.
Friday, August 30, 2.00pm:
Panel Discussion: "Balancing budgets amidst rising costs: strategies from industry leaders"