AIM Group International, a leading global company in congresses, events and communication, proudly announces the establishment of a new strategic position, with the appointment of Annalisa Ponchia as Director of Innovation and Customer Experience. The senior, well-known professional has been tasked to drive innovation across all the company’s functions and raise the added value offered to clients.
“We intend to promote a profound evolution in our Company’s culture with a thoughtful strategic approach that responds to clients’ needs and participants’ expectations” explains Gianluca Buongiorno, President of AIM Group International. “The ultimate goal of innovation, as we plan it at AIM Group, is to enhance the delegates’ emotional, learning and sensorial experience. We are sure that Annalisa Ponchia, with her outstanding track record and highly-skilled professional profile, is the right person to lead this process”.
With 30 years international experience in events and association management, Annalisa Ponchia has deep roots in the industry and has organized conferences and events around the globe for the corporate sector, government and associations. As Chief Executive Officer of the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) for more than 12 years, she has worked closely with the Society to develop and deliver its strategic vision, including partnership projects with the Pharmaceutical Industry, fund raising activities, marketing and communication. In fact, she was recently highly commended as Executive Director of the year at the Associations Awards 2019.
Working with the ESOT Board and team, she has organised all their scientific and education events, including the biennial Congress (which regularly attracts over 4,000 attendees), she has created innovative new formats, leveraged emerging technologies and learning techniques. Previously she had 10 years’ experience running her own PCO company specialised in medical meetings.
Ponchia is a certified meeting professional, with CMP and CMM designations, and she is Board member of industry associations such as AC Forum, PCMA EMEA and the IPCAA Compliance Task Force, and is active as a speaker at numerous association and industry events.
“Innovation it is not simply about new tools or technologies, it is also about embracing a mind-set” outlines Annalisa Ponchia. “In particular, I think that finding new ways to engage participants and promoting a sustainable development agenda, to make a positive contribution and legacy, are the most crucial developments to concentrate on”. “At AIM Group, we are steadily investing resources, time and research into this important area. We make available the results of these efforts to all clients, even those who cannot afford to invest in such initiatives. I’m eager to collaborate with all the AIM Group’s amazing staff and clients to bring these initiatives to fruition”.
