The first IUCAB Executive Committee Meeting this year took place on March 31, 2023, in Boston, Massachusetts, to strengthen the relationship between Europe and the USA.

Left to right, front row: Matthew Tickle, Eeva Pakkanen; back row: Olivier Mazoyer, Ralf Scholz, Charles Cohon, Axel Sturmberger, and Christian Rebernig.

Olivier Mazoyer, president, welcomed Vice Presidents Eeva Pakkanen from Finland; Charles Cohon from the USA; Ralf Scholz from Germany; Axel Sturmberger from Austria and Christian Rebernig, IUCAB secretary general; to the meeting. Matthew Tickle from the UK participated as observer. Vice Presidents Enric Enrech from Spain and Marco Righetti from Italy were absent.

Rebernig gave an overview of the financial situation of the organization and the social media activities of IUCAB (Internationally United Commercial Agents and Brokers). While referring to said social media activities, the Secretary General underlined how important it is to like, share and comment on the posts, which will increase the community of IUCAB. Furthermore, the 12 key messages identified in the European Study of Commercial Agents will be promoted on the social media channels in order to increase the visibility of the profession. In addition, the participants presented their short video clips, which will be used for the postings. Also, an analysis of IUCAB website statistics showed an increase in traffic.

The focus is currently on expanding the IUCAB network and global contacts. IUCAB has therefore started research on commercial agents as well as on manufacturers’ associations in 19 countries on five continents. Detailed steps will start soon.

Furthermore, the Secretary General informed delegates that the Adriatic Region Agents Association (ARAA) was established on March 22 in Slovenia and that an international business meeting was organized. IUCAB supports this initiative to develop the profession in the Balkan area.

It was agreed to collaborate with SME Connect, which is a network and a communication platform for SME associations as well as for one-person companies. IUCAB has been invited to introduce the profession at an event on May 25 in Brussels.

IUCAB is strongly interested in developing training and formation for the profession. In recent years, a training program according to IUCAB standards has been implemented. In the meantime, 12 member associations and three regional associations offer such a program. Suggestions for improvement are currently being discussed.

A key objective is to work with universities to improve the offer of training programs for commercial agents in the future, in particular, to create an online training tool. Therefore, an application for a two-year Erasmus project with other partners was submitted on March 21. Feedback is expected in the summer to allow for a November start date.

To learn more about the IUCAB, visit their website, www.iucab.com.