World HR Congress in Colombo next July
Sri Lanka has won the right to host a major conference – the World Human Resource Congress – scheduled from July 6-8 next year with over 90 countries and nearly 3000 participants.
An event that occurs every two years, Sri Lanka competed against Australia, the Philippines and Thailand to host the conference having also earned a large number of votes from the members, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) President Dhammika Fernando told the Business Times said on Friday. The CIPM is one of the constituent bodies of the Asia Pacific HR Federation that belongs to the apex body – the World Federation of People Management Associations. The theme for next year is “Exalting People Professionals: Explore, Expand and Excel.”
The event is also likely to welcome a key global leader to address the World HR Congress as its chief guest and organisers are mulling over a President or a former First Lady to grace the occasion.
Sri Lanka had the opportunity to compete for the conference since this time the congress was scheduled to be hosted from among the Asia Pacific member states that comprise about 20 countries.
One of the reasons that Sri Lanka was able to win this bid was due to the fact that CIPM is said to be one of the most prominent bodies in the region in terms of their capabilities and capacity, Mr. Fernando explained.
Moreover, the financial clout and the know-how also ensured them to win the vote from most countries to host the event, he said. Winning the bid in effect means the host nation has to obtain the vote as well.
In effect, this would be the first time that the congress is held in the South Asian region as well, it was pointed out.
The World Congress comprises 98 countries and Sri Lanka expects participation from almost all these countries with about 2500-3000 delegates at the event next year.
While the event would also have a number of events on the sidelines that include a board meeting and gala dinner for all world Presidents of HR associations; the main conference would involve five keynotes, two plenary sessions and 20 conference sessions with the main conference venue selected as the BMICH. They are also negotiating with hotels to host some of these other events.
Mr. Fernando also said they were expecting the support and cooperation of Sri Lanka Tourism, the government and the Labour Ministry in hosting the event.
The organisers will also be including packaged tours for the delegates to make visits around the country. The Principal Conference Organiser selected is the Paragon Group that has already established a secretariat office in Colombo for the event.