CHAROLAIS CHARBRAY INTERNATIONAL EVENTS PROTOCOL
The International Charolais community has two international events which are both held biennially.
1. World Congress
The World Congress is held in even numbered years and is open to all Charolais enthusiasts. The World Congress is hosted by a different country each year. The host country is determined by the voting delegates of Charolais Charbray International (CCI) at an Annual General Meeting. Any member in good standing can apply to host the World Congress. The host country is usually decided 4 years prior to the event; however, a country can apply to host in a particular year. Congresses aim to meet a balance between Charolais and industry visits, tourism and cultural understanding, with an AGM scheduled somewhere during the event. There will be one presentation by the host country giving an overview of the beef industry and Charolais' role in it. The goals of the World Congress are to:
1. Showcase the host country's Charolais to the International community
2. Provide all members of CCI associations with a value adding global network
3. Increase the awareness of Charolais in the world
4. Offer a framework for personal development of CCI members and visitors
5. Offer international visitors a snapshot of the host country
2. Technical Conference
The Technical Conference is held in odd numbered years and historically has been a meeting of two voting delegates (and possibly spouses/partners) from each CCI Association. In more recent years, the host country has opened the Conference to all who were interested. The Technical Conference is hosted by a different country each year. The host country is determined by the voting delegates at an Annual General Meeting of Charolais Charbray International. Any financial member can apply to host the Technical Conference. The host country is usually decided 4 years prior to the event; however, a country can apply to host in a specific year. The goals of the Technical Conference are similar to the goals of the World Congress with more emphasis on international collaboration advancing Charolais performance recording, marketing and global impact. The CCI body selects a topic to be featured at each Technical Conference and attending countries are invited to make a presentation highlighting the topic in their region. This allows for an exchange of ideas to improve Charolais worldwide. Technical Conferences are just that — technical, with more meetings, some Charolais and some tourism.
3. Information Common to Both Events
The Annual General Meeting of CCI is held during the World events and each financial country attending is entitled two voting delegates, but the meeting is open to all who wish to attend.
Over the years, some customs have developed including presenting the host country with a gift of appreciation at the final dinner by attending countries. Charolais herds visited are also presented with a gift of appreciation by visiting countries. The gifts given for hosting a herd visit tend to be promotions items (hats, ties, mugs, etc.) from associations. To assist international staff attending, it would be beneficial for the host country to identify the Charolais herds to be visited prior to the event so visiting countries can pack sufficient supplies.
The next host country is given the opportunity to make an invitational presentation on their upcoming event at the current event.
The voting delegates should wear business appropriate attire to the AGM as a photo will be taken to use for promotion. Generally, the final banquet tends to be more formal, while all other events are more casual.