The International Association for Professional Congress Organizers has united eight national PCOs 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 Monica Freire, IAPCO council member, is to use their combined expertise to create and distribute safe practice guidelines for PCOs worldwide.
IAPCO’s 135 company members delivered more than 21,000 client meetings, events and congresses around the world in 2019 alone worth an estimated economic impact well in excess of €11 billion.
Whilst many governments around the world begin to reduce current Coronavirus-related restrictions, others are doing the opposite by re-instating lockdowns and quarantines as potential second waves of the virus threaten.
Martin Boyle (pictured right), CEO of IAPCO, says, “In challenging times like these, it is more important than ever that organizations 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 policy makers and PCOs work together and agree to safe, practical protocols that will help to facilitate such recoveries.”
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.
Members of the IAPCO National Association Task Force are:
• Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) – Great Britain
• Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers (AIPCO) – Ireland
• Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organisers (HAPCO) – Greece
• Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition & Event Organisers (SLAPCEO) – Sri Lanka
• PCO Meetings Mexico – Mexico
• Federcongressi&eventi – Italy
• Association Argentina de Organizadores y Proveedores de Exposiciones, Congresos, Eventos y de Buros de Convenciones (AOCA) – Argentina
• Korea Association for Professional Convention Organisers (KAPCO) – Korea
With more than 52 years of history, the International Association of Professional Congress Organizers represents 137 companies comprised of more than 9,700 professional congress organizers, meeting planners and managers of international and national congresses, conventions and special events from 39 countries. For more info, visit iapco.org or email info@iapco.org.
