What makes Jerusalem such a unique conference destination? What allows this city to see such impressive growth as a potential host city?
In our interview series, the goal is to hear from the conference industry in Jerusalem, allowing them to tell their story and their vision for the city as a conference destination.
As we continue to highlight the personalities of the Jerusalem conference industry, today, we have the honor of hosting Ms. Lynn Lipschitz.
Lynn established Target Conferences in 1993 and serves as Managing Director of this boutique style conference organizing company. Lynn is an owner-worker and enjoys dabbling in the various departments at Target Conferences while her main duties include business development and overseeing the operations. Lynn is always in touch with the clients directly.
What makes Jerusalem such a unique conference destination?
Jerusalem as a city is not only the center of faiths holy to the Jews, Christians and Muslims - it's also an incredible mix of the old and the new. Participants thoroughly enjoy touring the Old City, a square kilometer of incredible history and religion. Housing 4 quarters - Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian the Old City is alongside the famous Mamilla shopping mall, incredible deluxe hotels and amazing museums. A couple of the hotels offer conference facilities for around 1000 participants and a number of others can host events for up to 500 participants. There is a choice of hotels from super deluxe to tourist class as well as boutique hotels, hostels and university guesthouses - an incredible choice to suit the pocket of all participants. Further leisure time can be spent at the local fresh produce market seeing and smelling the place on the one hand, dining at chef restaurants, and ending with a night at one of pubs frequented by the locals on the other hand.
There are numerous charter flights from Europe to Israel and Jerusalem is located within one hour drive of Ben Gurion International Airport.
Which conferences have been hosted, or are planned by you? In other words, which conference came to Jerusalem because of your professional input?
After approaching the World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics (WCPG) to bring their congress to Israel, together with the local Organizing Committee, Lynn succeeded in persuading the WCPG to host their event in Jerusalem in October 2016. The conference was a great success and the chair is now promoting the idea of holding an additional international congress in Jerusalem in 2019.
Which international associations is the Target Conferences affiliated with?
Target Conferences has been a member of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) since 1995.
What upcoming conferences, are taking place in Jerusalem, over the next 5 years, because of your involvement?
During 2018 we will host a number of events in Jerusalem - such as Pediatric Neuroblastoma, Surgery of the Shoulder and the International Biometric Society.
In 2017, together with Hadassah Australia, we initiated a conference on Trauma and Mental Health. The event was so successful that all agreed to host this conference biennially and we are happily planning the next one for 2019 in Jerusalem.
Also in 2019, we will organize the 8th 'Eilat' International Educational Course on Pharmacological Treatment of Epilepsy. This series of biennial courses was initiated to be held in Eilat, but as of 2013 we have found that the participants are delighted to attend the courses in Jerusalem instead.
Additional events are planned for the future in Jerusalem and we are currently preparing bids for various events scheduled for 2020, 2021 and 2022!
