IAPCO General Assembly gets off to an amazing start as 80+ participants from 29 countries discussed and debated issues facing the meetings industry today. “Education drives Quality” pronounced Michel Neijmann President of the Association “And Quality is the core driving force of IAPCO”.
IAPCO is the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers, a quality-driven association with more than 120 members from 41 countries. Figures announced today showed that IAPCO members organised more than 7075 events last year with an economic impact of over 4.63 billion euros. It was also pleasing to note that after a fall in staffing levels in 2012 and 2013, there is now an upsurge with an 4.42% increase in permanent employment over the previous year.
2015 is the first time, in 46 years, that IAPCO has met in Portugal. Hosted by the two Portuguese members Leading Congress & Association Management and AIM Group International Lisbon, this General Assembly got off to a “wow” start with an illuminating visual display depicting the advanced state of the industry in the country. “We are delighted to be here” continued Michel, “and to experience the facilities of another important congress city. We expect to learn much over the coming days and thank our city hosts for their warm hospitality and welcome”.
About IAPCO: Meeting Quality
The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) was founded in 1968, is registered in Switzerland and represents today more than 120 professional organisers, meeting planners and managers of international and national congresses, conventions and special events from 41 countries. IAPCO members [2014] organise in excess of 7075 meetings annually, totalling some 2.861 million delegates and representing an economic impact in the region of 4.63 billion euros. IAPCO is committed to raising standards of service among its members and other sectors of the meetings industry. Today IAPCO membership offers a unique quality assurance, since entry into membership of IAPCO is by meeting strict criteria and by continuous quality assessment. The high quality standards are secured by means of continuing education and interaction with other professionals. The Annual Seminars, The Meetings MasterClass and the Annual Meeting & General Assembly of its members are the highlight events of IAPCO.
