During the meeting in Athens, International Association of Professional Congress Organisers formally adopted the term “Emerging Leaders” in place of “Next Gen”. According to the association, the change reflects a shift in how leadership development is framed within the global meetings sector. At the same time, the organisation launched the IAPCO & FIEXPO Jorge Castex Scholarship Programme in cooperation with FIEXPO Exhibitions Group. The programme honours former IAPCO president Jorge Castex and aims to support leadership development in Latin America.

Scholarships and awards recognise emerging leadership in the meetings sector

Shimal Jaykant of Medical Conference Partners in Malaysia was awardes the 2026 IAPCO & NZICC Jan Tonkin Scholarship. The programme combines online training, mentorship and participation in the IAPCO annual meeting. The 2026 Emerging Leader Award, previously known as the IAPCO Hero Award, was presented to Cheryl Choy of International Conference Services in Singapore. It recognises early career professionals whose work demonstrates measurable organisational impact and leadership within the meetings industry. According to IAPCO, the initiatives form part of a broader strategy to strengthen talent development and leadership pathways across the global events sector.