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Return to Bulletin Home - November 2006
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ICEF Berlin Workshop Is World's Largest By the time the final bell sounded at 5 pm on November 7, the agents and educators attending this year's ICEF Berlin Workshop had combined for a record-breaking 18,220 one-to-one meetings at the Hotel InterContinental Berlin.
Berlin's Hotel InterContinental, the site of this year's ICEF Berlin Workshop. As Rod Churchill-Bateman, ICEF's manager for Oceania, formally announced the closing of what had been the largest-ever Berlin Workshop, there was no mistaking that a major industry event had just occurred. In the InterContinental's massive Potsdam Hall, flags and papers fluttered and laptop computers snapped close as the intensive schedule of the previous three days began to ease. Many participants continued their final meetings well after the closing bell even as they made plans to meet for dinner, drinks, and more discussions at one of the workshop's closing parties. "Berlin is the meeting place for the leading agents and educators in the international student market," said ICEF Director Markus Badde. "The size and quality of this year's event has made that clearer than ever. We have had incredible feedback from participants on the quality of the meetings, and also on the excellent support they have had from our staff here in Berlin."
Workshop participants filled the Potsdam Hall at the InterContinental Berlin. The numbers tell the tale for this year's workshop: 1,435 participants representing 984 organisations from 82 countries. A record 592 education providers came to Berlin to meet with 782 qualified agents from around the world, marking a 25% increase in overall attendance from 2005. There were many new contacts to be made this year: 22% of the participating educators and agents were attending their first-ever ICEF Workshop. Reflecting on the event afterward, Mark Lucas, director of IAE Global, said, "You can save six weeks of travel just by coming to Berlin. So many of our colleagues and clients are here from all over the world."
Countries of origin, agents
Countries of origin, education providers In addition to the one-to-one meetings scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, this year's Berlin Workshop featured an expanded programme of market intelligence seminars on the Sunday, including a presentation on global market trends and a first-ever discussion forum specifically for school owners.
The evening dinner and dance reception gave many education providers and agents a chance for some informal networking in the midst of an intense workshop schedule. Along with its usual position in the main Potsdam Hall, the workshop extended into the new Pavillon Hall this year—the first event to occupy this just-completed expansion at the InterContinental Berlin.
The newly completed Pavillon Hall at the InterContinental. Another inaugural milestone was that workshop participants had continuous Internet access during the conference. ICEF's IT team arranged for wireless access—accommodating up to 300 users at a time—throughout the workshop space at the InterContinental, and also operated a busy 10-station Internet lounge from morning to night. Detlev Tong, ICEF's IT manager, said, "We have had a lot of feedback, and everyone has been very appreciative of the expanded Internet access this year."
Workshop participants made extensive use of the free high-speed wireless and Internet lounge access. The expanded participation, facilities, and features from this year now set the stage for the next edition of the Berlin Workshop. The ICEF Work & Travel Forum is moving to Berlin next year and—in combination with a full day of market intelligence seminars and the two-day ICEF Berlin Workshop programme—will create a major five-day networking and training event in 2007. Educators and agents have the option to register for the various programme components individually or in combination, and can join the programme in Berlin for as few as one or as many as five days:
Participant Comments: 2006 ICEF Berlin Workshop"The quality of the agents I met was top-notch. Naturally, the follow-up will be important to solidify relationships. Your staff is very attentive, friendly, and most helpful—I appreciated all their efforts, especially Sergey, who helped me immensely!"Birgit Hartel, River East Transcona School Division, Canada
"It was really amazing what you were able to organise. I'll recommend your event to others and would love to come again. It's one of the highest standards I have ever experienced for conferences and fairs."
Jana Jilkova, BCTT ICV, Czech Republic
"The organisation of workshop was perfect. Each year the number of participants increases and the organisation is always serious. The staff is very nice and always available if we need information. The workshop is very big opportunity for many agencies. I hope to come back next year."
Yoan Peyre. Richard et Turgis Séjours Linguistiques, France
"This was the best workshop ever! Everything was perfect: From the number of contacts to the selection of agents even to the hotel and the excellent service."
Uwe Stränger, International House Berlin Prolog, Germany
"Probably the finest workshop in the world."
Julie Lauret, Babel Language Projects, Italy
"Another great workshop; The only true agent/school meeting place."
Justin Quinn, Centre of English Studies/Swandeann, Ireland
"Thank you once again for this opportunity to meet schools, partners, and friends from all around the world at one place! Fantastic opportunities for business! We love what you do!"
Victoria Beiker, Kanzler Language Centre, Russia
"Sincere congratulations! Excellent organisation. This was indeed the biggest and the best Berlin workshop!"
Carlos de Abreu, BSC, Switzerland
"The ICEF Berlin Workshop team often is a master class in organisation—everything is impeccably timed and planned. And as a result, the three days could not been more smooth. This has become increasingly apparent in the last few years, as the Berlin workshop has become the most important event in the educational calendar. Thanks to all the staff for their hard work."
Nicole Kennedy, Studio Cambridge, England
"Highest quality of agents we've seen at a conference. Extremely well organised, smooth logistics. Thanks for the last-minute power hook-up and the free wireless internet. Thanks for e-schedule upgrades—especially the ability to join one another's table meeting."
Adrienne Forbes, Squaw Valley Academy, USA
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