The sustainability in the events presents the transformation of an ordinary event into one which understands theory and practice with tools and strategies, opportunities and obstacles not existent, and was not mandatory to anyone trying to make sense to what is happening in the world of events, and which today is imperative to know.

The desire to change in order to improve sustainability practices in the environment where we live as well as give back to the communities through a global movement in the industry and commerce does not exclude Conventions, trade shows or in general the events we organize. It is the sound of the digital world which disrupts our fears y new meetings and virtual and hybrid demonstrations, which have integrated the social networks and embraced the mobile applications, but we are merely reaching the surface of a complex dynamic, evolving on a daily basis with new technology. We must recognize the impact in the meetings and events as a rapid advancement in the digital space, and convince the parties in our region that, the change to sustainable events with projects of social responsibility has become essential. Anticipate and prepare for future interruptions in digital conventions and trade shows, how to prepare to modify the approach to hybrid / digital / virtual events, based on the opportunities identified, are immediate actions we must assume.
COCAL as the institution pertaining to MICE in Latin America, in conjunction with OCCAF Guatemala, provide you the opportunity to hear the testimony of extraordinary speakers, representing leading institutions in the world on these two subjects and their successful practices, what they have learned, experimented and practical actions to apply to our events. The XXXI Annual Congress COCAL will take place in Antigua-Guatemala from the 10th thru the 13th of March 2014, in conjunction with the statutory assembly of the Federation, as well as 0.15 CEU’s available for the first time for this edition.

The keynote speaker Paul Salinger, Vice-president of GMIC and Oracle, with more than 2.303 events in 152 destinations worldwide in 2013, will lecture on why Latin America is the future to sustainable events. Hilton Worldwide will present the creativity and innovation of the new possibilities to stage meeting rooms and spaces for events, with experience in more than 4.500 hotels around the world; as well as presenting successful cases in social responsibility projects. Conpeht through his International Chef Alan Rodriguez will teach us the new tendencies as well as the reinvention of sustainable and healthy menus in order to implement in the events, with a practical work shop and tasting for the participants. During the entire event we will live hybrid moments in different spaces; also, you cannot miss out on Amy Spatrisano with her communication techniques of her achievements in Sustainability and a CVent with the latest technology for events.
Meanwhile sustainability and its practices grow, Guatemala is honored with the support of the Tourism Institute of Guatemala – INGUAT – and the private industry MICE, in presenting a high level Congress open to more than 3.000 members of this industry from 16 Latin American countries.