Strategic Global Task Force of National PCO Associations - IAPCO: The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers | IAPCO: The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers

IAPCO has united 14 National PCO Associations for the first time in its 52-year history to connect and share Coronavirus-related data and case studies. The primary focus of the International Strategic Task Force, chaired by IAPCO President-Elect, Sissi Lignou is to use their combined expertise to create and distribute safe practice guidelines for Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs) worldwide.

The IAPCO Task Force will leverage IAPCO’s leadership on the international stage whilst also enabling the dissemination of the important work being done at national levels by the Task Force Members.

Resources:

IAPCO Part-President (2020-2023), Ori Lahav interviews 5 Tourism & Development Ministers about the recovery of the Business Meetings & Events and Tourism sector.

The JMIC Global Manifesto
An Industry Rationale for the Use of Business Events as Primary Agents for Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery and Renewal

The IPCO Strategic Global Task Force of National PCOs Manifesto
IAPCO – The PCO Perspective – Advocacy Guide in conjunction with the JMIC Global Manifesto

IAPCO’s 135 Company Members delivered over 21,000 client meetings, events and congresses worldwide in 2019 alone, worth an estimated economic impact of well over €11 billion.

Whilst many governments around the world begin to reduce current Coronavirus-related restrictions, others are doing the opposite by reinstating lockdowns and quarantines as potential second waves of the virus threaten.

“In challenging times like these, it is more important than ever that organisations with similar missions come together to promote a coordinated, multi-national model for the greater good. PCOs are at the sharp end of helping economies recover through the successful, efficient and strict management of business and professional events. It is vital that policymakers and PCOs work together and agree to safe, practical protocols that will help to facilitate such recoveries.”

– Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO

ABPCO – Association of British Professional Conference Organisers – Great Britain

ACB – Austrian Convention Bureau, PCO Chapter – Austria

AIPCO – Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers – Ireland

AOCA – Association Argentina de Organizadores y Proveedores de Exposiciones, Congresos, Eventos y de Buros de Convenciones – Argentina

APPCE – Asociación Panameña de Profesionales en Congresos, Exposiciones y Afines – Panama

AUDOCA – Asociación Uruguaya de Organizadores de Congresos y Afines – Uruguay

CA-PCO – Czech Alliance of Professional Congress Organisers – Czech Republic

Federcongressi&eventi – Italy

HAPCO & DES – Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organisers & Destination Events Specialists – Greece

ICPB – India Convention Promotion Bureau – India

PCOA – Professional Conference Organisers Association – Australia

PCO Meetings Mexico – Mexico

SLAPCEO – Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition & Event Organisers – Sri Lanka

KAPCO – Korea Association for Professional Convention Organisers – Korea