International Panel of Experts (IPoE) Forum
With the guidance of our Board of Directors, THE-ICE undertakes strategic activities including hosting events that are open to our global network as well as other interested individuals or organisations in the TH&E (tourism, hospitality and events) fields.
The History of THE-ICE IPoE Forums
In 2005, THE-ICE launched its first IPoE (International Panel of Experts) Forum with the vision that it would be a series of high-level events focusing on the strategic issues facing tourism, hospitality, events, and culinary arts education (TH&E). Since then, the IPoE Forum has become a signature event of THE-ICE with highly focused themes and sub-themes, providing outstanding opportunities for global industry and academic experts to present their views, and for members and non-members to network and develop collaborative synergy.
THE-ICE has been privileged to have leading educators from countries such as Austria, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, China, India, Thailand, Korea, the UK and the USA to address the Forums. Experts are invited not only to address the theme but also to participate in interactive and dynamic sessions. A selection of past presentations is available on the respective IPoE Forum pages (see below).
In 2011, THE-ICE initiated the Benchmarking Roundtable Series (BRS) to complement the IPoE Forum and promote knowledge-sharing and the development of best practices. Held annually and open exclusively to THE-ICE members and guests, the BRS focuses on specific benchmarking areas such as internship, industry advisory boards, governance structures, graduate outcomes, curriculum design & development, and academic integrity.
The BRS provides educators and administrative staff from participating institutions with the opportunity to gain insights into peer practices, share innovative approaches, and collaboratively develop best-practice models and solutions to common challenges. At the conclusion of each BRS event, a “Best Practice Guide” is distributed to members, summarising the knowledge shared and any best-practice models developed.
Chronicle of past Forums and hosts
THE-ICE 17th IPoE Forum 2024
Proudly hosted by Al Rayyan International University College (ARIU) in partnership with University of Derby, from 7-9 November 2024.
Theme: Quality Improvement in a New Era: Driving Excellence in Hospitality and Tourism Education.
THE-ICE 16th IPoE Forum 2023
Proudly hosted by William Angliss Institute, Melbourne, Australia, from 30 October – 1 November 2023.
Theme: Leading Change in Challenging Times – Finding and Framing the Transformative TH&E graduates for the 21st Century.
THE-ICE 15th IPoE Forum 2022
Proudly hosted by The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 7-9 November 2022.
Theme: Hospitality and Tourism Higher Education; Connecting Minds and Creating the Future
THE-ICE 14th IPoE Forum 2021
Proudly hosted by University of Derby, United Kingdom from 25-27 October, 2021.
Theme: Securing our Future – Exploring Sustainability in & of Tourism and Hospitality Education
THE-ICE Virtual IPoE (VIPoE) 2020
Theme: Exploring the Post-pandemic ‘New Normal’ of TH&E Education and Quality Assurance
THE-ICE 14th IPoE Forum 2020 (postponed)
Proudly hosted by University of Derby, United Kingdom from 26-29 October, 2020.
Theme: Securing our Future – Exploring Sustainability in & of Tourism and Hospitality Education
THE-ICE 13th IPoE Forum 2019
Proudly co-hosted by Lyceum of the Philippines University and University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines from 14-17 October, 2019.
Theme: A Quantum Leap in Excellence – Education Without Borders
THE-ICE 12th IPoE Forum 2018
Proudly hosted by Dusit Thani College in Bangkok, Thailand from 11-14 November, 2018.
Theme: Creating Advanced Learning Experiences
Click below to view some of the highlights from the 2018 Forum in Bangkok, Thailand.
THE-ICE 11th IPoE Forum 2017
Proudly hosted by William Angliss Institute in Melbourne, Australia, from 13-16 November, 2017.
Theme: Scholarly Excellence in the Age of Compliance
Click below to view the video highlights from the 2017 Forum in Melbourne, Australia.
THE-ICE 10th IPoE Forum 2016
Proudly hosted by César Ritz Colleges Switzerland, a member of the Swiss Education Group, in Lucerne, Switzerland, from 9-12 November, 2016.
Theme: Excellence – Defined and Measured
THE-ICE 9th IPoE Forum 2015
Proudly hosted by Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, from 25-28 November, 2015.
Theme: Real World Learning in Tourism & Hospitality
THE-ICE 8th IPoE Forum 2014
Proudly hosted by Charles Darwin University School of Business and School of Service Industries, Darwin, Australia, from 11-14 November, 2014.
Theme: Developing Quality and Value-adding to Partnerships between Institutions and Industry
THE-ICE 7th IPoE Forum 2013
Proudly hosted by Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, Sydney, Australia, from 6-8 November, 2013.
Theme: The Industry Education Nexus – a global perspective
THE-ICE 6th IPoE Forum 2012
Proudly hosted by the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 18-20 November, 2012.
Theme: Changing times in tourism and hospitality education
THE-ICE 5th IPoE Forum 2011
Proudly hosted by Taylor’s University, Malaysia, from 23-25 November, 2011.
Theme: Innovation in Tourism and Hospitality Education
THE-ICE 5th IPoE Forum 2010 (postponed)
Organised to be held at the Naresuan University Centre, 2-3 June 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand. Due to civil unrest in central Bangkok in late May 2010, and in the interests of safety and security interests of our panel presenters and attendees, the decision was made to cancel the IPoE Forum.
THE-ICE 4th IPoE Forum 2009
Proudly hosted by The Hotel School Sydney, in Sydney, Australia, from 12-13 October, 2009.
Theme: Developing Excellence in Tourism, Hospitality and Events Education
THE-ICE 3rd IPoE Forum 2008
Proudly hosted by the Australian School of Management, Perth, Australia, in conjunction with the 6th Asia-Pacific (APacCHRIE) Conference in May, 2008.
Theme: Developing and Delivering Industry-relevant Education and Research
THE-ICE 2nd IPoE Forum 2006
The second International Panel of Experts Forum was held at Conrad Jupiter’s on the Gold Coast, Australia in November, 2006.
Theme: Internationalisation of Tourism and Hospitality Education
THE-ICE 1st IPoE Forum 2005
The inaugural International Panel of Experts Forum was held in November, 2005 at the Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast Australia.
Theme: Critical Issues and Future Directions of Tourism and Hospitality Education