About IAPCO

THE MEMBER-DRIVEN ASSOCIATION

RAISING QUALITY STANDARDS IN THE GLOBAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY

ADVOCACY

Raising the standards of service among our member organisations and other sectors of the meetings industry through continued education, connection and support.

Global Membership:

Representing 138 companies comprising 7,163 professionals of international and national congresses, conventions, and special events from 40 countries.

Activities:

Publications

The PCO, White Papers, Online Dictionary, Insider newsletter

Awards

Collaboration, Innovation, Hero

Education & Events

Delivered by IAPCO Training Academy under

Sustainability

Supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for a better future for all. Pledge against single-use plastics: Ticky the Turtle

Collective Action

Exchanging ideas, and knowledge to develop the professionalism of the industry

Partnerships

Creating allies within the industry including Destinations, Service Providers, Convention Centres and Media

COMMUNITY

IAPCO Accredited PCOs are the globally recognised pinnacle of quality in the events sector.

Qualifying Qualities:

Professional competency

Technical know-how

Experienced across worldwide destinations

Benefits:

Community & Networking

Recognition / Prestige Promotion Education (EDGE)

IAPCO Member Values:

Proud

The ‘P’ in PCO Involved

Taking responsibility for their association and the industry

Extraordinary

Delivering the highest quality professional service

Trustworthy

Responsible to their clients and the meetings industry

Innovative Setting new benchmarks with innovation

Learning

Representation

Advocacy Recruitment (Job Board)

Keeping education at the core of their organisation

EDUCATION

Delivered through IAPCO Training Academy, a comprehensive international and regional educational programme for all levels of staff involved in the meetings and events industry.

IAPCO Training Academy

Delivering a comprehensive international and regional educational programme for all levels of staff involved in the meetings and events industry.

An exciting calendar of educational, networking and social programmes focused on relevant contemporary themes.

Delivered under the banner of: IAPCO.ORG/EVENTS

webEDGE

IAPCO’s unique online-learning platform

webEDGE Webinars

hour-long online education sessions

EDGE Seminars

Multiple-day seminars at global locations in a mixture of lectures and practical workshops

Hosted EDGE Seminars

Delivered by IAPCO experts tailored to the specific needs of the hosting community

Impact Dialogue Webinars

Hour-long online panel discussions among industry practitioners

IAPCO@ - IAPCO representative at leading industry events with a speaking slot, session, award and/or stand/booth

SDG Goal #14: Life below Water

IAPCO’s commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development is the Pledge against Single-Use Plastics, championed by IAPCO’s sustainability campaigner, Ticky the Turtle.

17 Goals to Transform Our World

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.

IAPCO Members taking the Pledge

Ticky the Turtle has inspired an incredible number of organisations to take the IAPCO Plastics Pledge and commit to making a real measurable change to their use of single-use plastic at their meetings, events, conferences and their offices.

The purpose of the pledge is to encourage meeting industry organisations to reduce the use of single-use plastics and promote the adverse effects their usage is having on the oceans and seas around the world.

MISSION

ABOUT IAPCO

The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) is the only international accreditation association for professional conference organisers.

IAPCO is a not-for-profit membership association. IAPCO members are accredited Professional Congress Organisers (companies, not individuals) that have qualified for Membership under the detailed application process by demonstrating that they consistently deliver PCO services to their clients and partners at high-quality standards.

IAPCO is registered in Switzerland and is governed by the Swiss Civil Law. IAPCO abides by the Statutes of the Association, duly voted upon by more than two-thirds of the membership and registered with the Swiss Authorities.

To raise the standards of service amongst its members and other sectors of the meetings industry by means of continuing education and interaction with other professionals.