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In order to meet the quality criteria of IAPCO, there are various steps in the application process. An application fee of €2500 is payable for the administrative and travel requirements of the application audit process.
Step 1: Online Application
Step 2: Events Organised
Step 3: References
Step 4: Future Events for Appraisal Visits
Step 5: Site Visit
Step 1: Online Application
Complete the online application in full.
Step 2: Events Organised
Details of a total of 10 International or National Events organised by the applicant must be completed where the maximum number of services are provided:
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- International [Regional] Events whereby 40% or more of the delegates must be from at least 5 or more different countries attended by more than 400 participants
OR
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- National Events attended by more than 1000 participants
Please note: Core PCO events (the same event, taking place in different years) can only be submitted twice that is, only 2 of your 10 international events, and not more than 3 Core PCO events.
The Events can be a combination of International [Regional] Association Congresses; National Congresses; International Governmental Meetings; or International Corporate Meetings [maximum 3 corporate meetings only].
Step 3: References
Client contact details for references must be provided for at least 5 events. IAPCO will contact your 5 references to support your application.
References from IAPCO members will also be sought. If client references are not forthcoming, the Applicant will be asked to ensure that adequate references are received before the application can be further progressed. Additionally, the application fee must be paid in order for the application to progress further.
Step 4: Future events for site visit
You will need to submit 5 future events that could be considered for a site visit.
- International [Regional] Events (Association or Governmental) whereby 40% or more of the delegates must be from at least 5 or more different countries attended by more than 400 participants
- National Events attended by more than 1000 participant
At this time, IAPCO’s CEO will conduct a video interview to discuss the Applicant’s business practices.
Step 5: Site Visit
On receipt of satisfactory references, the Applicant will be asked to host, (see guidelines), the appraisal visit of one or two Council Members, or another Member of IAPCO nominated by the Council, to the selected Congress/Meeting organised by the Applicant and to the Applicant’s Office. The Member/s undertaking the appraisal visit will need to participate as a free delegate through the event registration and abstract processes.
During the visit to the Applicant’s Office, the Applicant will be asked to provide:
- Copies of printed promotional material for their future Events
- A copy of the Applicant’s Company’s Articles of Association, or other registration document or licence in English
- Details of the Company Board of Directors and / or Senior Managers and Administrators
- Access to office procedures, administration and financial information
The Process
A scoring system is in place to assess the application and consideration will be given to:
- the year in which the congress was held
- the size of the event and the number of countries of delegates attending
- the services provided by the Applicant
- references received from clients and other IAPCO members
- review of the appraisal visit.
Consideration as to whether the Applicant is a suitable candidate for membership of IAPCO will be taken by the Council as each of the above processes are completed. If the Applicant, after completing any of the above processes, fails to achieve the required score, the Council will fail the application without proceeding to the remainder of the processes. In the event that an application is unsuccessful, IAPCO is not required to give any reason or justification as to their decision. In order to maintain quality control where an application for membership has been unsuccessful, the company cannot re-apply for membership for a period of three years unless a specific dispensation is applied to the rejection.