Professional Conference Organizers must move towards forming high-level strategic partnerships with clients, said international business tourism leaders during a major Dublin conference.
Delegates from six continents and representing more than 32 countries attended the International Association of Professional Congress Organizers (IAPCO) general assembly and annual meeting, which took place Feb. 15-17 in the Westbury Hotel, Dublin, Ireland. Representing businesses that manage conferences for 1.2 million delegates per year, the delegates of IAPCO are seen as the leaders in the field.
“Everyone who attended this Dublin meeting left with at least three to five new pieces of knowledge that will change the way they do business, be it in our thinking behind the scope of services we provide, the recognition of our profession or the invaluable exchanges with colleagues over the few days,” said Gonzalo Perez Constanzo, president, IAPCO. “It was a terrific learning experience and a wonderful chance to experience the incredible Irish friendliness.”
After the conference, delegates were asked that after visiting Ireland would they consider bringing a conference to Ireland themselves. Some 89 percent of respondents said they would which, considering the size of business managed by the attendees, promises to generate significant revenue to the Irish economy.
“It has been a real success in terms of showcasing Ireland and in helping to move the industry forward,” said Nicola McGrane, managing director of conference partners, IAPCO. “Our collaborative approach has been a real eye-opener to our visitors, and throwing the spotlight on Ireland will help us increase the revenue generated through business tourism. We designed a program the delegates could actively participate in and contribute to and as a result, we have real outcomes to bring back to our businesses that will help us continue to contribute significantly to the Irish economy.”
More than 34 percent of the general assembly’s delegates were first-time attendees, indicating the attractiveness of the conference’s venue and theme with approximately 80 percent of the delegates coming to Ireland for the first time. The successful Irish bid was a collaborative effort on the part of Ireland’s top conference companies with funding support being provided by Fáilte Ireland.
The program’s theme, “Riding the winds of change – new strategies for PCOs,” highlighted the increasingly strategic nature of PCOs’ partnerships with clients, moving away from the logistical partnerships of the past.
The IAPCO was founded in 1968, is registered in Switzerland and represents more than 115 professional organizers, meeting planners and managers of international and national congresses, conventions and special events from 40 countries. IAPCO members organize more than 6,600 meetings annually, drawing some 2.29 million delegates.
