‘Surviving and Thriving!’, the theme of the IAPCO Day was reflected in the highest audience figure for an IAPCO General Assembly, to date. The virtual event took place on Monday 15 February 2021 and was joined by IAPCO members and partners from over 42 different countries.

At this time, more than ever, we felt the importance of bringing our IAPCO family together, to share the association’s updates, acheivements, our strategic developments and provide educational content in the form of high-quality keynote speakers Brian Solis and Baroness Valerie Amos“, said IAPCO CEO Martin Boyle.

Ori Lahav, IAPCO President reported that the association had retained 97% of their members in 2020. „This figure demonstrates the value of IAPCO membership“, Boyle said. The Association provided regular opportunities to connect, share experiences and learn through a series of impact dialogues, member exchanges and complimentary access to the webEDGE platform. The Strategic Global Task Force of National PCO Associations is bringing together the combined expertise to create advocacy guidelines for international PCOs.

In a change of Standing Orders approved by the IAPCO members, Ori Lahav will have an extension of his Presidency to February 2023, Mathias Posch will remain Immediate Past President until February 2022 at which time, the election for President-Elect will also take place. Jan Tonkin, who has served on IAPCO Council since 2007 has stepped down from this position.

„In 2020, we saw the audience for IAPCO educational events triple compared to the previous year as we embraced the new virtual world with the webEDGE platform, dialogues and virtual EDGE. I would like to sincerely thank Jan on behalf of myself, HQ, Council and the IAPCO community for all your achievements and dedication“, said Martin Boyle.

IAPCO Council elections were held during the General Assembly wherein the Council welcomed one newly elected member – Sissi Lygnou from AFEA, one re-elected member – Nicolette van Erven and one co-opted Annual Meeting Host representative member – Alain Pittet.

The International Association of Professional Congress Organizers – IAPCO, with more than 52 years of history representing today 138 companies comprised of over 10,273 professional congress organisers, meeting planners and managers of international and national congresses, conventions and special events from 40 countries