Eulogio Rodriguez Millares. President of COCAL

Q: I’d like you to talk about your work at the Convention Bureau, one major Cuban entity that you headed for quite a long time.

I think the Convention Bureau has meant to be quite a school to me. In 1974, I was a congress advisor for the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers. I was in charge of planning events and congress. Back in August that same year, we founded a coordination group that at the time embraced the ministries of transportation, tourism and finance, plus Cubatur and Viajes Cuba, two travel organizations.

One of the most important things we’re achieved in this kind of activity is that we’ve turned incentive and congress tourism into the top specialized modality in our country. Let’s pause for a moment and think that every congress tourist shells out 3.7 percent more money that a leisure-seeking traveler. That speaks volumes of the economic impact this kind of activity really has.

Q: How has the experience you’ve put under your belt at the Convention Bureau helped you do your job at the helm of COCAL?

There’s no doubt that the mileage I’ve clicked –just to put it this way- at the Convention Bureau has been key to the outcomes we’ve accomplished in COCAL. In this period, new collaboration alliances and mergers should boost new businesses. A case in point is the agreement we signed with ALAVI and the World Trade Center for the development of congress and incentive tourism in the corporate sector. We’ve also inked another accord with Cubana de Aviacion, and we’re currently negotiating with Copa and Itaca to cut similar deals.

Back in the year 2000, Latin America held just 5 percent of the world’s share of congress market. Today, it holds 7 percent of it, and we’re gunning for 12 percent. It’s a huge challenge, but we’ve got a chance to get there. The Caribbean is a region of the planet blessed with countless opportunities for this kind of activity, despite the current world situation. The region has become a highly attractive alternative market.

Q: What are the main objectives of the Confederation of Latin American Planners and Organizers of Congress and Related Events (COCAL)?

The main goal is to achieve a more competitive professional level for the Americas, that is, raise the professional skills of those involved in the congress activities and put together major training programs.

Another objective is the establishment of ties with specialized organizations in the realm of congress and incentives in countries like, say, the United States. This is a nation we’ve got locked on the crosshairs despite the embargo. This is a door that could be thrown wide open to let the fabulous U.S. market in.

Improving COCAL’s internal work, strengthening working relations, more efficient appointment proceedings and better inner mechanisms to be stronger and more reliable in the hemisphere are some of the topics to be discussed in the upcoming congress of the organization.

Q: That COCAL congress you’re talking about will take place in Brazil. What are the main discussion topics scheduled for that important conclave?

The importance of the Brazil congress is paramount, as well as the Congress of the Brazilian Convention Planning and Organization Association that will be held simultaneously in the South American nation. We’ll also have the assembly of COCAL members and other meetings linked to the topic that certainly make the Brazilian event one of the books for this industry in Latin America.

The congress will outline work goals for the coming years and comprises a number of interesting topics to be broached. For the first time ever, attendants are going to deal with sport events and the need to choose host nations for the Pan Am Games.

Q: What about Cuba’s projects and perspective in store for this year as a COCAL member?

Cuba is holding on to its top goals for this year. The island nation will benefit from the results of the Brazilian congress. For instance, ALADI has schemed a series of strategies aimed at attaining Latin America’s integration. Cuba is putting out a couple of major tradeshows that could be inserted in the ALADI-sponsored fairs. I’m referring to Metanica and Informatica. Both events could help pave the way toward integration, output complementation, management and spread of these issues. Moreover, it could be a great contribution to ALADI’s top goal: integration.