IAPCO is the only international accreditation association for professional congress organisers. It ensures its members meet high standards in timeliness, efficiency, creativity, financial responsibility and management.

“Our goal with the ‘Unlocking Excellence’ campaign is to highlight the rigorous standards our members adhere to,” says IAPCO CEO Martin Boyle.

“We want to emphasise the importance of quality assurance in the global meetings and events industry.”

In 2022 and 2023, IAPCO members – representing 91 member companies across 180 registered professional congress organiser offices globally, and 17,657 professional event and congress consultants from 45 countries – organised more than 33,403 meetings, events and congresses, generating more than $44 billion in economic activity.

IAPCO’s core mission is to elevate the standards within the global meetings and events industry through a rigorous accreditation process where professional congress organisers undergo peer reviews and must demonstrate excellence in all aspects of event and congress management, including ongoing education, fostering connections and providing support to members.

“The accreditation process is designed to ensure our members are recognised as the best in the industry,” says Boyle.

“This process includes a demonstrated commitment to ongoing education and innovation to keep up to date with changes facing our sector.

“Our members are leaders, always striving to set new benchmarks for quality and innovation.”

Pictured at top: The IAPCO committee, with president Sarah Markey-Hamm, who is Australian, in the centre.