AIPC Academy 2026

At the CTICC, our people are at the heart of the experiences we create. For members of our Operations team, continuous learning plays an important role in how we collaborate, support clients and deliver service excellence.

In April, Clinton Yon, ICT Service Delivery Manager; Jonathan Isaacs, Business Systems Administrator; and Faizel Cloete, Building Automation Technician, represented the CTICC at the AIPC Academy 2026 in Brussels, Belgium. The five-day programme brought together convention centre professionals from around the world to share knowledge, explore leadership and engage with the future of the events industry.

Held from 12 to 17 April at the Dolce La Hulpe training facility, the Academy included interactive workshops, crisis simulations, strategic discussions and collaborative problem-solving exercises focused on venue management, leadership and industry innovation.

Reflecting on the experience, Clinton said the Academy reminded him of the role each person plays in creating strong, connected teams.

“The Academy reinforced the importance of collaboration, communication and active listening across teams,” he said.

For Jonathan, the value of the programme was in seeing how different parts of the industry connect and contribute to successful events.

“It gave me a better understanding of how organisations approach operations, logistics, sales and event management, while also creating opportunities to learn from professionals across different industries and leadership roles,” he said.

One of the standout moments for Faizel was the immersive event challenge, where his team, Worldwide Based Events, was named the winning team by AIPC President Julianne Jammers after conceptualising an event promoting tourism and the global events industry.

“The experience highlighted the importance of adaptability, leadership and continuous learning within an evolving industry,” he said.

Beyond the formal sessions, the Academy created opportunities for networking, shared learning and cultural exchange with delegates from Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.

Their participation reflects the CTICC’s commitment to investing in its people and creating opportunities for growth, while bringing global insight, collaboration and service excellence back into the work we do every day.