About IAPCO - IAPCO: The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers

<!DOCTYPE html>      <html class="no-js gt-ie8" lang="en">   <head> <title>About IAPCO - IAPCO: The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers</title>  <script> (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K2FC6CXR'); </script>  <meta name="description" content="Learn about IAPCO, the global association for professional congress organisers. Discover how IAPCO raises industry standards, offers accreditation, and provides educational resources for PCOs worldwide." /> <meta name="robots" content="index,follow" /> <meta property="og:title" content="About IAPCO - IAPCO: The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.iapco.org/about-us.html" /> <meta property="og:description" content="The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) represents the highest level of international professional standards for PCOs. It's the people, our members and community that make the difference. Get to know IAPCO." /> <meta charset="utf-8">  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no"> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/favicon16x16_79bde5164a1b118f7128689f21e7e7ab_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="16x16" type="image/png" rel="icon" /> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/appleicon72x72_f1d015d12e1c3cfe0c14073e3aaef5ba_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="72x72" rel="apple-touch-icon" /> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/androidicon192x192_877a388629461d4b81d721e52fadde6d_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="192x192" type="image/png" rel="icon" /> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/favicon32x32_05d796d9a0317934898fb9de93f854b3_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="32x32" type="image/png" rel="icon" /> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/appleicon57x57_25141e84cd1b90a445af81fee03764a7_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="57x57" rel="apple-touch-icon" /> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/appleicon152x152_c50f7eb6e01ade1906990f6a6bce7dda_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="152x152" rel="apple-touch-icon" /> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/appleicon180x180_8df0bf26b8a250cc8fbb2ce7250b345f_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="180x180" rel="apple-touch-icon" /> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/favicon96x96_f639c2d3f9803c9d58c0b22c9390a368_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="96x96" type="image/png" rel="icon" /> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/appleicon76x76_1742e12e0d246b72e5fdb08471a37c70_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="76x76" rel="apple-touch-icon" /> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/appleicon114x114_1d70768b500e347f3657cd3fade540d4_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="114x114" rel="apple-touch-icon" /> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/appleicon144x144_b39373a30d83393fb3d1948ebe6cc213_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="144x144" rel="apple-touch-icon" /> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/appleicon120x120_3a3f20ea56b5e710a1d7ed87d86fa963_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="120x120" rel="apple-touch-icon" /> <link href="https://www.iapco.org/static/443457d2-f93e-491a-a06d09b6867d8185/cd408626-626d-4d59-bf05d40dda39669b/appleicon60x60_4f9b46c1587c4ff92d1c1bcf2de8a7a0_4a7c7e45a350/IAPCO-assets-2-Favicon.png" sizes="60x60" rel="apple-touch-icon" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Open+Sans:ital,wght@0,300..800;1,300..800&display=swap" async="true"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/pixl8core/lib/bootstrap.min.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/pixl8core/core/_aeeb382c.core.min.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/core/_0072b866.core.min.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/specific/core-widgets/_93e8d4d9.core-widgets.min.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/specific/core-widgets-theme/_c7b1126b.core-widgets-theme.min.css"> <style>.async-hide { opacity: 0 !important} </style> </head> <body class="preload has-header-overlapping-page-banner page-banner-is-dark header-layout-double standard_page">  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-K2FC6CXR" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <div id="overlay-background"></div> <div class="page-wrapper has-page-banner-image"> <header id="site-head" class="header "> <div class="container"> <div class="header-inner row-flex"> <div class="header-inner-fixed-mobile-col header-logo-holder col-8 col-lg-4 align-self-center"> <div class="header-logo"> <a href="#contents" class="header-accessibility-link">Skip to content</a> <a href="https://www.iapco.org" class="header-logo-link"> <picture> <source srcset="/assets/img/logo.svg" media="(max-width: 991px)"> <img src="https://www.iapco.org/static/5a9b8403-a94b-4854-aa77be499fd3d5ed/IAPCOIAPCO-main-logo-white-orange-transparent-bkgrd-002.png" alt="IAPCO Logo" class="header-logo-image"> </picture> </a> </div> </div> <div class="header-inner-fixed-mobile-col header-mobile-nav-btn-holder col-4 col-lg-8 d-flex d-lg-none align-items-center justify-content-end"> <a href="#" class="header-mobile-nav-btn js-toggle-mobile-menu" aria-label="Show/hide navigation drop down"> <span class="header-mobile-nav-btn-icon"></span> </a> </div> <div class="col-12 col-lg-8 main-nav-buttons d-none d-lg-flex"> <nav class="main-nav"> <div class="main-nav-search "> <form action="https://www.iapco.org/site-search.html" method="GET" class="main-nav-search-form" role="search"> <input type="text" name="q" class="main-nav-search-input" placeholder="Search the site..." aria-label="Enter term keys to search"> <button class="main-nav-search-btn" aria-label="Submit search form"> <span class="font-icon-search1"></span> </button> <a href="#" class="main-nav-search-toggler js-toggle-main-nav-search" aria-label="Hide site search form"> <span class="font-icon-close"></span> </a> </form> </div> <ul class="main-nav-list"> <li class="main-nav-item is-btn "> <a class="btn btn-login btn-bordered" href="https://www.iapco.org/login.html">Login</a> </li> <li class="main-nav-item is-search is-btn"> <a class="btn btn-secondary js-toggle-main-nav-search" href="#" aria-label="Show site search form"> <span class="main-nav-link-icon font-icon-search"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> <div class="header-nav"> <div class="container"> <div class="main-nav-holder"> <nav class="main-nav"> <div class="main-nav-search d-lg-none"> <form action="https://www.iapco.org/site-search.html" method="GET" class="main-nav-search-form" role="search"> <input type="text" name="q" class="main-nav-search-input" placeholder="Search the site..." aria-label="Enter term keys to search"> <button class="main-nav-search-btn" aria-label="Submit search form"> <span class="font-icon-search1"></span> </button> <a href="#" class="main-nav-search-toggler js-toggle-main-nav-search" aria-label="Hide site search form"> <span class="font-icon-close"></span> </a> </form> </div> <ul class="main-nav-list"> <li class="main-nav-item has-mega-menu"> <a class="main-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us.html" data-page-id="7EFEF55E-A636-4EA8-9D4EE18031709447">About us</a> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-toggler js-toggle-mega-menu" aria-label="Show/hide sub navigation"></a> <div class="mega-menu"> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/iapco-council.html" data-page-id="7A32597F-D99F-4F67-8523FA5841E609BC">IAPCO Council</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/committees.html" data-page-id="0D3FFF3C-F972-4CF0-9AEA016868EFD18E">Committees</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/ambassadors.html" data-page-id="B22E1D30-0099-4544-A9AE491B49E2D9ED">Ambassadors</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/iapco-history.html" data-page-id="DD022ACD-ED0B-4867-B658033C8C5DD83A">IAPCO History</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/hq-team.html" data-page-id="CA250AC0-67E9-4777-B7E26264738E98F1">HQ team</a> </li> </ul> <div class="article"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/resource/.html" class="article-image-holder"> <img src="https://www.iapco.org/static/34cfd4e5-16b9-486d-9b7013fc710532e1/megamenuimage_a1148e265142707eacf0ce7677a0ab20_4a7c7e45a350/About-Us-icon.png" alt="About Us icon.png" class="article-image" /> </a> <div class="article-content"> <h3 class="article-heading"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/resource/.html" class="article-heading-link">About Us</a> </h3> <p class="article-text">The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) is a not-for-profit membership association and the only international accreditation organisation for professional conference organisers.</p> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="main-nav-item has-mega-menu"> <a class="main-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/initiatives.html" data-page-id="B7B142E6-4BDE-4FD4-BCCCE7526321703C">Initiatives</a> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-toggler js-toggle-mega-menu" aria-label="Show/hide sub navigation"></a> <div class="mega-menu"> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/initiatives/campaigns.html" data-page-id="44C6A04F-9510-4A62-BACB697F5FBE5E51">Campaigns</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/initiatives/csr.html" data-page-id="7929E1BA-71AE-4703-9510BACF409788A7">CSR</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/initiatives/advocacy.html" data-page-id="9DD4E540-9C3B-4445-87046C9D06CB6E63">Advocacy and Media Partners</a> </li> </ul> <div class="article"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/resource/.html" class="article-image-holder"> <img src="https://www.iapco.org/static/48618f44-6190-47fe-ac55c668bc8ec574/megamenuimage_a1148e265142707eacf0ce7677a0ab20_4a7c7e45a350/Advocacy-ICON.png" alt="Advocacy ICON.png" class="article-image" /> </a> <div class="article-content"> <h3 class="article-heading"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/resource/.html" class="article-heading-link">Initiatives & Advocacy</a> </h3> <p class="article-text">Raising the levels of professionalism and advocating on the economic and social impact value that our industry brings to communities around the world. </p> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="main-nav-item has-mega-menu"> <a class="main-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/membership.html" data-page-id="16A180BF-17DF-4221-A85860BFDBF9A25D">Membership</a> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-toggler js-toggle-mega-menu" aria-label="Show/hide sub navigation"></a> <div class="mega-menu"> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/membership/choose-an-iapco-member.html" data-page-id="49F570CC-0B8A-48D7-8FEEE424703CDEB3">Why Choose an IAPCO Member?</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/membership/become-a-member.html" data-page-id="2792D462-1B76-4FB7-8AAD7647C928FDB3">Why Become an IAPCO Member?</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/membership/join-iapco.html" data-page-id="8B19AEE2-BF72-4C74-A36505165DD80B44">Join IAPCO</a> </li> </ul> <div class="article"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/resource/.html" class="article-image-holder"> <img src="https://www.iapco.org/static/058aa33c-4894-4c34-b62e1f760c946e91/megamenuimage_a1148e265142707eacf0ce7677a0ab20_4a7c7e45a350/Membership-icon.png" alt="Membership icon.png" class="article-image" /> </a> <div class="article-content"> <h3 class="article-heading"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/resource/.html" class="article-heading-link">Membership</a> </h3> <p class="article-text">IAPCO Membership is the epitome of excellence for PCOs in the global business events industry.</p> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="main-nav-item has-mega-menu"> <a class="main-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/education-and-training.html" data-page-id="407E880D-BFC9-41E5-B64EF8DBC6ABBA51">Education</a> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-toggler js-toggle-mega-menu" aria-label="Show/hide sub navigation"></a> <div class="mega-menu"> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/education-and-training/ems-event-calendar.html" data-page-id="F03B0719-70D9-4F8D-A23B7AB8500DE4BA">Events calendar</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/education-and-training/iapco-education-programmes.html" data-page-id="8D414D59-7039-4F85-8F3C9ABC60AC27CF">IAPCO Education Programmes</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/education-and-training/edge-seminars.html" data-page-id="397908F4-4673-4502-8A7C4E6BC2390563">EDGE Seminars</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/education-and-training/hosting-an-edge-seminar.html" data-page-id="F76BA93C-2FF7-4807-A5933336CABFAAAD">Hosting an EDGE Seminar</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/education-and-training/webedge.html" data-page-id="52EF3DF6-D341-4500-BA0D2C52A9A4E1AA">webEDGE</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/education-and-training/awards.html" data-page-id="2FBF4465-C298-416B-B38A04F6A5626890">Awards and Scholarships</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/education-and-training/job-board.html" data-page-id="FFEC84A4-E582-47D5-AE09E360DE28E561">Job board</a> </li> </ul> <div class="article"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/resource/.html" class="article-image-holder"> <img src="https://www.iapco.org/static/5860fa4f-c664-4f15-827df16cc80585f6/megamenuimage_a1148e265142707eacf0ce7677a0ab20_4a7c7e45a350/Education-ICON.png" alt="Education ICON.png" class="article-image" /> </a> <div class="article-content"> <h3 class="article-heading"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/resource/.html" class="article-heading-link">Education</a> </h3> <p class="article-text">Education is at the core of IAPCO and everything the Association does revolves around it.</p> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="main-nav-item has-mega-menu"> <a class="main-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/partnerships.html" data-page-id="09E02C3F-1B8D-4655-8A526026456D33EE">Commercial Partners</a> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-toggler js-toggle-mega-menu" aria-label="Show/hide sub navigation"></a> <div class="mega-menu"> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/partnerships/destination-partners.html" data-page-id="03BAE673-3610-4E70-B66A671672A39934">Destination Partners</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/partnerships/convention-centres.html" data-page-id="E2BD8BA1-854B-4DAE-AC674025ADD6FE94">Convention Centres</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/partnerships/council-destinations.html" data-page-id="B0FDE096-E715-47EF-A663C316BC9C78B8">Council and AM&GA Host Destinations</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/partnerships/service-providers.html" data-page-id="F3D0AF41-7CE3-48C5-81F80C82C67799BA">Service Providers</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/partnerships/partner-with-iapco.html" data-page-id="25299ED8-5C98-4E92-BAC91B7368187C3A">How to Partner with IAPCO</a> </li> </ul> <div class="article"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/resource/.html" class="article-image-holder"> <img src="https://www.iapco.org/static/bbbc0ebb-c0d4-4f50-b0dcf5245ef293e1/megamenuimage_a1148e265142707eacf0ce7677a0ab20_4a7c7e45a350/Partnerships-Icon.png" alt="Partnerships Icon.png" class="article-image" /> </a> <div class="article-content"> <h3 class="article-heading"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/resource/.html" class="article-heading-link">Partnerships</a> </h3> <p class="article-text">IAPCO partners are organisations that have aligned themselves with IAPCO鈥檚 mission to promote the professional development of congress organisers and the industry.</p> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="main-nav-item has-mega-menu"> <a class="main-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/knowledge-hub.html" data-page-id="FB4D071C-4336-45CB-99E6AC0BBA08DC1D">Knowledge Hub</a> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-toggler js-toggle-mega-menu" aria-label="Show/hide sub navigation"></a> <div class="mega-menu"> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/knowledge-hub/articles.html" data-page-id="2C49BC83-DFCA-4CAA-A48D05E5E2EF9607">News, Press and Articles</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/knowledge-hub/research-guidelines-whitepapers.html" data-page-id="AA8E95AA-5D2D-4A79-BFB64E86D60B0C5B">Research, Guidelines and White Papers</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/knowledge-hub/the-pco-magazine.html" data-page-id="2276C4B2-6473-4D5D-9486274898AC0BF5">The PCO Magazine</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/knowledge-hub/campaign-resources.html" data-page-id="B0EC24DC-152F-47DE-A078C1E7A9D3193C">IAPCO Member Resources</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/knowledge-hub/online-dictionary.html" data-page-id="025537F7-B9F6-4723-BF796C01C8CA3546">Online Dictionary</a> </li> </ul> <div class="article"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/resource/.html" class="article-image-holder"> <img src="https://www.iapco.org/static/f1ef4737-52c1-4c60-922059fedd63e37f/megamenuimage_a1148e265142707eacf0ce7677a0ab20_4a7c7e45a350/Knowledge-Hub-icon.png" alt="Knowledge Hub icon.png" class="article-image" /> </a> <div class="article-content"> <h3 class="article-heading"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/resource/.html" class="article-heading-link">Knowledge Hub</a> </h3> <p class="article-text">The go-to location for the latest issues of our PCO Magazine, member news, IAPCO articles and to access our many whitepapers and guidelines.</p> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="main-nav-item has-sub-nav"> <a class="main-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/find-a-member.html" data-page-id="671E82D2-F394-4C4F-94B1995AA8B92F32">Find a Member</a> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-toggler js-toggle-sub-nav" aria-label="Show/hide sub navigation"></a> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/find-a-member/find-member.html" data-page-id="772E3FB8-62A4-4B38-9D13C802C6AA7EEB">Member map</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/find-a-member/find-an-iapco-member.html" data-page-id="6CCBFE6D-2B1C-4C0B-A0819225BF1226F4">IAPCO Member Directory</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/find-a-member/invited-members.html" data-page-id="97D4D207-0826-4090-9BE078EF45D83252">Invited Members</a> </li> <li class="sub-nav-item"> <a class="sub-nav-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/find-a-member/honorary-members.html" data-page-id="CB0BB2AE-6A52-4938-97D4B896100F3694">Honorary Members</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="main-nav-item is-btn d-lg-none"> <a class="btn btn-login btn-bordered" href="https://www.iapco.org/login.html">Login</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="breadcrumb-row"> <div class="container"> <ol class="breadcrumb"> <li class="breadcrumb-item is-label">You are here:</li> <li class="breadcrumb-item "> <a class="breadcrumb-link" href="https://www.iapco.org/">Excellence in Professional Congress Organisation</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb-item active"> About us </li> </ol> </div> </div> <div class="page-banner standard-page-banner has-image"> <style> .has-header-overlapping-page-banner .standard-page-banner { background-image : url( "https://www.iapco.org/static/8203ffce-f12d-4415-8d95615afe8a616d/40f5983c-721e-4662-95d708e937f00822/standardpagebanneroverlapdefault_95c174e5c2d8a2eaadc97011deafa60a_4a7c7e45a350/Header-Banners169-1920x1080About-Main2.png" ); } @media (min-width: 481px){ .has-header-overlapping-page-banner .standard-page-banner { background-image : url( "https://www.iapco.org/static/8203ffce-f12d-4415-8d95615afe8a616d/40f5983c-721e-4662-95d708e937f00822/standardpagebanneroverlap481_9a9701e5639874d128dbd79d64ff50f7_4a7c7e45a350/Header-Banners169-1920x1080About-Main2.png" ); } } @media (min-width: 768px){ .has-header-overlapping-page-banner .standard-page-banner { background-image : url( "https://www.iapco.org/static/8203ffce-f12d-4415-8d95615afe8a616d/40f5983c-721e-4662-95d708e937f00822/standardpagebanneroverlap768_b41429ad6d681e6a24644463ca2f0209_4a7c7e45a350/Header-Banners169-1920x1080About-Main2.png" ); } } @media (min-width: 992px){ .has-header-overlapping-page-banner .standard-page-banner { background-image : url( "https://www.iapco.org/static/8203ffce-f12d-4415-8d95615afe8a616d/40f5983c-721e-4662-95d708e937f00822/standardpagebanneroverlap992_3de972fafd92d4c3eb1333250724a8d9_4a7c7e45a350/Header-Banners169-1920x1080About-Main2.png" ); } } @media (min-width: 1441px){ .has-header-overlapping-page-banner .standard-page-banner { background-image : url( "https://www.iapco.org/static/8203ffce-f12d-4415-8d95615afe8a616d/40f5983c-721e-4662-95d708e937f00822/standardpagebanneroverlap1441_161937d068e0f73e426d8ad94da1a5fd_4a7c7e45a350/Header-Banners169-1920x1080About-Main2.png" ); } } </style> <div class="page-banner-content"> <div class="container "> <div class="row-flex"> <div class="page-banner-content-main col-12 " > <h1 class="page-banner-content-title">About us</h1> <div class="page-banner-content-intro"> <p>The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) represents the highest level of international professional standards for PCOs. It's the people, our members and community that make the difference. Get to know IAPCO. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="main-wrapper"> <div class="contents" id="contents"> <script> // Apply styles for headings 1 to 6 const styleHeadings = () => { const headings = document.querySelectorAll('h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6'); headings.forEach(heading => { heading.style.textDecoration = 'underline'; heading.style.textDecorationColor = '#007CAA'; heading.style.textUnderlineOffset = '10px'; heading.style.textDecorationThickness = '2px'; heading.style.letterSpacing = '1px'; heading.style.marginBottom = '40px'; }); // Special case: h3 inside .toc-item const tocHeadings = document.querySelectorAll('.toc-item h3'); tocHeadings.forEach(tocHeading => { tocHeading.style.textDecoration = 'none'; tocHeading.style.marginBottom = '10px'; }); // Special case: h4 inside .profile-content const profileHeadings = document.querySelectorAll('.profile-content h4'); profileHeadings.forEach(profileHeading => { profileHeading.style.textDecoration = 'none'; profileHeading.style.marginBottom = '10px'; }); // Style for .standard-page-banner div const resultsCountDivs = document.querySelectorAll('.standard-page-banner'); resultsCountDivs.forEach(resultsCountDiv => { resultsCountDiv.style.borderBottom = '10px solid #007CAA'; }); }; // Run the function to style headings document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', styleHeadings); </script> <div class="page-section p-0 bg-grey-light bg-light has-media" style="background-image: url('https://www.iapco.org/static/c3bbec6b-ea0d-4435-a8da27783473f195/contentsection_91ce85547c2f7b0783ca12e87bfc240b_4a7c7e45a350/Header-Gradient-Banners169.jpg');"> <div class="container"> <div style="background-color: #e64a12;margin-top:-30px;"></div> </div> </div> <div class="page-section has-media" style="background-image: url('https://www.iapco.org/static/967c63ed-8065-450a-9eb2cba72eeb1185/contentsection_91ce85547c2f7b0783ca12e87bfc240b_4a7c7e45a350/Header-Banners169-1920x1080grey.jpg');"> <div class="container"> <h2>Our people</h2> <div class="article-overlay default article-overlay-four widget-toc"> <div class="article toc-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/iapco-council.html" class="article-image-holder" target="_self"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 992px)" srcset="https://www.iapco.org/static/a8e65a4f-083b-47e3-93dd57f11fd81dc3/tocoverlayimage992_0d0788de45a2ce3ad393dcaecc49035b_4a7c7e45a350/Council.png"> <source media="(min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://www.iapco.org/static/a8e65a4f-083b-47e3-93dd57f11fd81dc3/tocoverlayimage768_4041c0668a15ebca0a84dd8f08dcc62f_4a7c7e45a350/Council.png"> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="https://www.iapco.org/static/a8e65a4f-083b-47e3-93dd57f11fd81dc3/tocoverlayimage481_f0768f302e5c8bfa37059a98f2d900ec_4a7c7e45a350/Council.png"> <img src="https://www.iapco.org/static/a8e65a4f-083b-47e3-93dd57f11fd81dc3/tocoverlayimagedefault_ca9261348575c87ceac6d33c613869dd_4a7c7e45a350/Council.png" alt="Council.png" title="Council" class="article-image" /> </picture> </a> <div class="article-content"> <h3 class="article-heading"> Council </h3> <p class="article-text">IAPCO is administered by a Council consisting of at least eight and up to twelve Company Members (including co-opted), among them a President, a President-Elect or Immediate Past-President and a Treasurer. Members of the Council are elected by the members at the General Assembly each year. The elected members can co-opt up to three other members. </p> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/iapco-council.html" class="article-content-overlay" target="_self">View more</a> </div> </div> <div class="article toc-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/committees.html" class="article-image-holder" target="_self"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 992px)" srcset="https://www.iapco.org/static/8d20c41d-3078-48da-a538985705d919c6/tocoverlayimage992_0d0788de45a2ce3ad393dcaecc49035b_4a7c7e45a350/Committees.png"> <source media="(min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://www.iapco.org/static/8d20c41d-3078-48da-a538985705d919c6/tocoverlayimage768_4041c0668a15ebca0a84dd8f08dcc62f_4a7c7e45a350/Committees.png"> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="https://www.iapco.org/static/8d20c41d-3078-48da-a538985705d919c6/tocoverlayimage481_f0768f302e5c8bfa37059a98f2d900ec_4a7c7e45a350/Committees.png"> <img src="https://www.iapco.org/static/8d20c41d-3078-48da-a538985705d919c6/tocoverlayimagedefault_ca9261348575c87ceac6d33c613869dd_4a7c7e45a350/Committees.png" alt="Committees.png" title="Committees" class="article-image" /> </picture> </a> <div class="article-content"> <h3 class="article-heading"> Committees </h3> <p class="article-text">Ensuring proper governance and upholding compliance</p> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/committees.html" class="article-content-overlay" target="_self">View more</a> </div> </div> <div class="article toc-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/ambassadors.html" class="article-image-holder" target="_self"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 992px)" srcset="https://www.iapco.org/static/354ce7de-4546-4599-b072e8c110d82253/tocoverlayimage992_0d0788de45a2ce3ad393dcaecc49035b_4a7c7e45a350/Ambassadors.png"> <source media="(min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://www.iapco.org/static/354ce7de-4546-4599-b072e8c110d82253/tocoverlayimage768_4041c0668a15ebca0a84dd8f08dcc62f_4a7c7e45a350/Ambassadors.png"> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="https://www.iapco.org/static/354ce7de-4546-4599-b072e8c110d82253/tocoverlayimage481_f0768f302e5c8bfa37059a98f2d900ec_4a7c7e45a350/Ambassadors.png"> <img src="https://www.iapco.org/static/354ce7de-4546-4599-b072e8c110d82253/tocoverlayimagedefault_ca9261348575c87ceac6d33c613869dd_4a7c7e45a350/Ambassadors.png" alt="Ambassadors.png" title="Ambassadors" class="article-image" /> </picture> </a> <div class="article-content"> <h3 class="article-heading"> Ambassadors </h3> <p class="article-text">Representing IAPCO across the regions we serve</p> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/ambassadors.html" class="article-content-overlay" target="_self">View more</a> </div> </div> <div class="article toc-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/committees/training-academy.html" class="article-image-holder" target="_self"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 992px)" srcset="https://www.iapco.org/static/2463d126-c271-42ac-b5cea5f5a4868e9c/tocoverlayimage992_0d0788de45a2ce3ad393dcaecc49035b_4a7c7e45a350/Training-Academy.png"> <source media="(min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://www.iapco.org/static/2463d126-c271-42ac-b5cea5f5a4868e9c/tocoverlayimage768_4041c0668a15ebca0a84dd8f08dcc62f_4a7c7e45a350/Training-Academy.png"> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="https://www.iapco.org/static/2463d126-c271-42ac-b5cea5f5a4868e9c/tocoverlayimage481_f0768f302e5c8bfa37059a98f2d900ec_4a7c7e45a350/Training-Academy.png"> <img src="https://www.iapco.org/static/2463d126-c271-42ac-b5cea5f5a4868e9c/tocoverlayimagedefault_ca9261348575c87ceac6d33c613869dd_4a7c7e45a350/Training-Academy.png" alt="Training Academy.png" title="Training Academy" class="article-image" /> </picture> </a> <div class="article-content"> <h3 class="article-heading"> Training Academy </h3> <p class="article-text">Setting the standard and delivering training for all levels</p> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/about-us/committees/training-academy.html" class="article-content-overlay" target="_self">View more</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="page-section bg-primary bg-dark text-white has-media" style="background-image: url('https://www.iapco.org/static/c3bbec6b-ea0d-4435-a8da27783473f195/contentsection_91ce85547c2f7b0783ca12e87bfc240b_4a7c7e45a350/Header-Gradient-Banners169.jpg');"> <div class="container"> <div class="widget two-column-widget"> <div class="row"> <div class="two-column-item col-sm-4 col-md-3"> <p> </p> <img align="" src="https://www.iapco.org/static/7d322c4a-5ba1-4ef9-9f94d940b7958dc0/200x168_highestperformance__49ea84f9c2ba/IAPCO-tick-white-circle-and-orange-tick-Small.png" alt="IAPCO tick - white circle and orange tick Small.png" style="margin:5px 5px 5px 5px;" /> <p> </p> </div> <div class="two-column-item col-sm-8 col-md-9"> <h2><br /> Our Mission </h2> IAPCO’s mission is 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. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="page-section " > <div class="container"> <div class="widget two-column-widget"> <div class="row"> <div class="two-column-item col-sm-4 col-md-3"> <p> </p> <img align="" src="https://www.iapco.org/static/61bc770a-c218-407d-8c82b41ae1d65e75/200x200_highestperformance__4a7c7e45a350/Untitled-200-x-200-px.png" alt="Untitled (200 x 200 px).png 1" style="margin:5px 5px 5px 5px;" /> <p> </p> </div> <div class="two-column-item col-sm-8 col-md-9"> <h2>Our Members' Core Values</h2> <br /> IAPCO is a membership-driven organisation whose members embrace the following Core Values: <ul> <li>They are proud of their profession; they live up to the ‘P’ in PCO</li> <li>They get involved; they are a small and active group taking responsibility for their association and the industry at large</li> <li>They are extra-ordinary; they care about delivering the highest quality of professional services and make decisions accordingly</li> <li>They uphold the trust; they have a responsibility to their clients, and to the whole meetings industry, to conduct business in a trustworthy way</li> <li>They set the benchmark; they are at the forefront of innovation within their profession and always strive to improve</li> <li>Learning is essential therefore; education is at the core of their association and everything revolves around it</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="page-section bg-primary bg-dark text-white has-media" style="background-image: url('https://www.iapco.org/static/c3bbec6b-ea0d-4435-a8da27783473f195/contentsection_91ce85547c2f7b0783ca12e87bfc240b_4a7c7e45a350/Header-Gradient-Banners169.jpg');"> <div class="container"> <div class="widget two-column-widget"> <div class="row"> <div class="two-column-item col-sm-4 col-md-3"> <p> </p> <img align="" src="https://www.iapco.org/static/7d322c4a-5ba1-4ef9-9f94d940b7958dc0/200x168_highestperformance__49ea84f9c2ba/IAPCO-tick-white-circle-and-orange-tick-Small.png" alt="IAPCO tick - white circle and orange tick Small.png" style="margin:5px 5px 5px 5px;" /> <p> </p> </div> <div class="two-column-item col-sm-8 col-md-9"> <h2>Our Aims</h2> <ul> <li>To further the recognition of the profession of the congress organiser</li> <li>To further and maintain a high professional standard in the organisation and administration of congresses, conferences and other international and national meetings or special events</li> <li>To undertake and promote the study of theoretical and practical aspects of international congresses</li> <li>To establish and maintain effective relations with other organisations concerned in any way with international meetings</li> <li>To develop a programme of educational courses through IAPCO’s Training Academy</li> <li>To offer a forum for PCOs</li> <li>To encourage meetings convenors to seek the assistance of reputable PCOs</li> <li>To provide members with opportunities to exchange ideas and experiences</li> <li>To undertake research work concerning all problems confronting professional organisers of international meetings and to seek and promote relevant solutions</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="page-section " > <div class="container"> <h2 style="text-align: center;">Our Pillars </h2> <div class="widget three-column-widget"> <div class="row"> <div class="three-column-item col-sm-4 col-md-4"> <img align="" src="https://www.iapco.org/static/27a413ae-b48d-42ac-add97c36960d9fd6/150x150_highestperformance__4a7c7e45a350/Community-ICON.png" alt="Community ICON.png" style="margin:5px auto 5px auto; display:block;text-align:center;" /> <h6 style="text-align: center;">Community</h6> <p style="text-align: center;">A Global Community of Meeting Professionals making a difference</p> </div> <div class="three-column-item col-sm-4 col-md-4"> <img align="" src="https://www.iapco.org/static/5860fa4f-c664-4f15-827df16cc80585f6/150x150_highestperformance__4a7c7e45a350/Education-ICON.png" alt="Education ICON.png" style="margin:5px auto 5px auto; display:block;text-align:center;" /> <h6 style="text-align: center;">Education</h6> <p style="text-align: center;">Educating for long term Quality and Success in the Meetings and Events Industry</p> </div> <div class="three-column-item col-sm-4 col-md-4"> <img align="" src="https://www.iapco.org/static/48618f44-6190-47fe-ac55c668bc8ec574/150x150_highestperformance__4a7c7e45a350/Advocacy-ICON.png" alt="Advocacy ICON.png" style="margin:5px auto 5px auto; display:block;text-align:center;" /> <h6 style="text-align: center;">Advocacy</h6> <p style="text-align: center;">The Global Voice of the PCO across the Meetings and Events Industry</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="page-section bg-grey-light bg-light has-media" style="background-image: url('https://www.iapco.org/static/c3bbec6b-ea0d-4435-a8da27783473f195/contentsection_91ce85547c2f7b0783ca12e87bfc240b_4a7c7e45a350/Header-Gradient-Banners169.jpg');"> <div class="container"> <p style="color:#FFF;font-size:1.4em;">At IAPCO, we believe in the power of collective expertise to advance the Business Events Industry. Our members form an integral part of our mission to elevate event experiences and industry standards and play a pivotal role in raising standards and bringing innovation within the congress organisation.</p> <p style="color:#FFF;font-size:1.4em;">The driving force behind IAPCO are the exceptional individuals who are dedicated Council members, the visionary Committees and the influential Ambassadors. Collectively, they form a formidable network committed to shaping the future of congress organization.</p> </div> </div> <div class="page-section p-0 " > <div class="container"> <p> </p> <div class="widget two-column-widget"> <div class="row"> <div class="two-column-item col-sm-4 col-md-3"> <img align="" src="https://www.iapco.org/static/c8f84686-d55e-4bdf-99c1417325f82abf/200x200_highestperformance__4a7c7e45a350/Untitled-200-x-200-px.png" alt="Untitled (200 x 200 px).png" style="margin:5px 5px 5px 5px;" /> <p> </p> </div> <div class="two-column-item col-sm-8 col-md-9"> <h2>Our team is here to help! </h2> <p><br /> Contact us if you have any queries.</p> <div class="widget widget-button text-left"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/contact/contact-us.html" title="Contact us" class="btn " target="_blank">Contact Form</a> </div> <p> </p> </div> </div> </div> <p> </p> </div> </div> <div class="container"> </div> </div> </div> <footer class="footer footer-variant-2"> <div class="footer-main"> <div class="container"> <div class="row-flex"> <div class="col-lg-8"> <p>IAPCO is registered in Switzerland and administered by remote secretariat services. For general enquiries, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(105,110,102,111,64,105,97,112,99,111,46,111,114,103)+'?emailantispam=0')"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5a33343c351a333b2a39357435283d">[email protected]</span></a></p> <p>Mailing address: C/O Prager Dreifuss,  Muhlebachstrasse 6, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland</p> <nav class="footer-nav is-three-col"> <ul class="footer-nav-list" role="navigation" aria-label="Common site pages and legal information"> <li class="footer-nav-list-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/membership.html" class="footer-nav-link">Membership</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav-list-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/education-and-training/ems-event-calendar.html" class="footer-nav-link">Events calendar</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav-list-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/contact.html" class="footer-nav-link">Contact</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav-list-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/policies/code-of-conduct.html" class="footer-nav-link">Code of Conduct</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav-list-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/policies/data-usage-policy.html" class="footer-nav-link">Privacy Notice</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav-list-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/iapco-job-board.html" class="footer-nav-link">IAPCO's Job Board</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav-list-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/sign-up.html" class="footer-nav-link">Sign up</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav-list-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/company-membership-online-application-form.html" class="footer-nav-link">Company Membership - Online Application Form</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav-list-item"> <a href="https://www.iapco.org/knowledge-hub/faqs.html" class="footer-nav-link">FAQs</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="col-lg-4"> <div class="text-center text-lg-right footer-address"> <p><img align="" src="https://www.iapco.org/static/e9eaf5ab-9511-4a1f-8f252ca91477b6cd/12d9bb31-2f7c-4154-b586bda7dcb5287e/277x127_highestperformance__4a7c7e45a350/Logo-white-orange-transparent-bkgrd.png" alt="Logo white-orange transparent bkgrd.png" style="margin:5px 5px 5px 5px;" /> <p> </p></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer-sub"> <div class="container"> <div class="row-flex"> <div class="col-lg-8 text-center text-lg-left"> <div class="footer-copyright"> <p>© 2025 The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO). All rights reserved</p> </div> <div class="footer-designby"> <p>Design & Development by <a href="https://pixl8.com/en/">Pixl8</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-4 text-center text-lg-right"> <ul class="social-link-list" role="list" aria-label="Social channels"> <li class="social-link-item"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/iapco/" title="IAPCO LinkedIn" class="social-link" target="_blank" aria-label="linkedin"><span class='font-icon-linkedin'></span></a> </li> <li class="social-link-item"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IAPCO" class="social-link" target="_blank" aria-label="facebook"><span class='font-icon-facebook'></span></a> </li> <li class="social-link-item"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iapco_hq/" class="social-link" target="_blank" aria-label="instagram"><span class='font-icon-instagram'></span></a> </li> <li class="social-link-item"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@iapcoHQ" class="social-link" target="_blank" aria-label="youtube"><span class='font-icon-youtube'></span></a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> <script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script><script>cfrequest={"isAnnouncementDismissedEndpoint":"https://www.iapco.org/Announcement/isAnnouncementDismissed/","dismissEndPoint":"https://www.iapco.org/Announcement/dismissAnnouncement/","rmCmsBasicActivePageIds":["DFBC0B53-748B-4D7B-873AD687D64AD263","7EFEF55E-A636-4EA8-9D4EE18031709447"]}</script> <script src="/assets/js/pixl8core/lib/modernizr-2.6.2.min.js" async="true"></script> <script src="/assets/js/pixl8core/lib/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/pixl8core/lib/jquery-migrate-3.3.2.js"></script>  <script src="/assets/js/pixl8core/lib/imagesloaded.pkgd.min.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/pixl8core/core/_f7712430.core.min.js"></script> <script src="/preside/system/assets/extension/preside-ext-ready-membership-cms-basics/assets/js/frontend/specific/navigation/_bd2fa109.navigation.min.js"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

About IAPCO - IAPCO: The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers