Sven Bossu
CEO at AIPC
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sven-bossu-7057131/
As part of our commitment to championing the industry, we are talking to people about their careers and what IEM means to them.
Sven Bossu joined AIPC as CEO in May 2020. Together with the Board, the Members and the Business Partners he will be spearheading a transformation programme which will result into an entirely new value proposal to Convention and Exhibition Centres across the globe based on the changing needs of the members and the challenges they are facing. Before joining AIPC, Sven worked as Managing Director at ESTRO (European Society for Radiation Oncology). He successfully led the branding, marketing and digital transformation of ESTRO – a massive project which was finalized in April 2020. It included a full re-branding, implementation of a new CMS and CRM system, the creation and implementation of a marketing strategy and a complete re-vamp of the annual congress. Prior to joining ESTRO, Sven worked for 20 years in the financials services world. The first 10 years of his career he worked as an international programme manager at ING, followed by 10 years at SWIFT – the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications. At SWIFT, Sven oversaw Sibos – SWIFT’ s flagship event which brings together over 8,000 decision takers form over 150 countries for four days to discuss the common challenges the financial community faces and the common solutions to be put in place. Sven holds a degree in anthropology. He works and lives in Belgium, has two children and loves to read.
Q What does the IEM mean to you?
A For me, IEM is about two things. First, it provides a great platform to connect with a wide variety of personalities and share thoughts about the one thing we all have in common: a passion for organised events. Secondly, it’s also about the shared ambition of bringing excellence to the event industry by creating standards, which is also a core mission of AIPC.
Q Why did you decide it was important for you to get involved?
A The variety of people involved and the shared mission with AIPC: bringing excellence by setting standards, doing research and offering professional education.
Q Where do you hope to see the IEM in 20 years’ time?
A The ambition should be that the IEM becomes the reference for the event industry in terms of standards and resources, in partnership with existing organizations.
Q What is your favourite event related memory?
A Organising the opening of Sibos 2015 in Singapore. I have never experienced such a positive energy and drive from an 8,000 audience consisting of bankers and finance people.
