IMEX, the meetings and incentive travel exhibition, has awarded scholarships to three aspiring convention centre managers, enabling them to attend one of the industry’s most esteemed educational courses.

Three lucky candidates will take part in the 2012 AIPC Academy, run by the International Association of Congress Centres, along with two other participants funded by AIPC’s own scholarship programme.

AIPC president Edgar Hirt said: “(We) recognise that in these challenging times, not all centres are in a position to offer the level of support required to ensure their most suitable candidates can access this programme. The Academy Scholarship programme goes some way to addressing this problem and helps ensure their professional development is ongoing."

He added: “We are very grateful to IMEX for their support, and the fact that this signals their recognition of the importance of professional development in the industry. It demonstrates a shared recognition of the importance of skilled managers to the future of the industry and is a commitment to helping create our future leaders."

The week-long intensive programme uses the resources of faculty and guest presenters to address a range of key industry topics and allows attendees to start building their own networks. So far more than 125 people have graduated from the course.

The 2012 AIPC Academy Professional Development Program will take place in Brussels, February 5-10 and will accept participation from 25 AIPC member delegates.

Candidates have been accepted from:

•           DIPOLI Congress Centre - Espoo, Finland

•           Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

•           Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Malaysia

•           Coex Convention & Exhibition Center, Seoul

•           Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre, Bahrain