Nights under Kenyan skies: The IASP global community getting together

The themes of the 41st World Conference in IASP Nairobi were Demographics, Entrepreneurship, and Technology. But what underpins every single one of these conferences is people and the connections that we make. 

At the World Conference, our three main social events were designed to foster those international links, and put people at the heart of the IASP community. 

The three events were our IASP Welcome Reception, Night at the Museum event, and Gala Dinner: A Night Under the Stars. All of these events were designed to celebrate not only our international community, but also to experience the local culture of our hosts here in Nairobi. For that reason, in true Kenyan fashion, our community was welcomed at all events by Kenyan food and drink, local music, as well as traditional song, dance, performance and dress. 

Welcome Reception:

Our Welcome Reception took place on the beautiful roof terrace of the Emara Ole Sereni Hotel overlooking the Nairobi Cityscape, and the national park that sits alongside it. Delegates were warmly welcomed by local band Kayamba Africa and DJ Lace who got everyone involved in some dancing, letting of some steam before the main event kicked off. 

Night at the Museum:

Our Night at the Museum event was another way for our international community to admire the culture of our host country, as it took place at the Nairobi National Museum. Guests were able to take a tour of the museum, which explored human evolution and its links to Africa, displayed preserved local fauna, and contained many snippets of local culture and history. The event also had a market on site, allowing guests to purchase handmade and local souvenirs. This event celebrated the first official day of the conference and allowed our international network to consolidate connections and relationships in an informal setting under the night skies, all the while accompanied by music from Stage Revolution Band.  

Gala Dinner: A Night Under the Stars

The IASP Gala Dinner was the final evening event of the conference, designed to celebrate our members and recognise the significance of the opportunities that these international events create. 

Guests at The Carnivore restaurant were greeted by Kenyans in traditional and tribal wear, with acrobatics, fire breathing and songs. After a standing period to the evening, guests moved to their tables where they could choose from a buffet of local food, complemented by a live jazz band, Jazztified. 

During this wonderful evening, IASP also awarded the prizes for this year’s ‘Inspiring Solution Award’ as well as a short ceremony welcoming the new IASP members, and of course our 40th anniversary celebration. Music and dancing was a thread throughout it all, and the atmosphere was infused with positivity and warmth from our Nairobi hosts Konza Technopolis. A great time was had by all.