The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) have renewed their strategic partnership. The next phase will focus more heavily on sustainability, professional development, industry research, and emerging talent.
The agreement builds on an existing memorandum of understanding between the two associations. IFES and IAPCO plan to increase participation in each other’s programs. They will also share expertise and market intelligence across their memberships.
The partnership connects two segments of the events industry. IFES represents exhibition and event service providers, while IAPCO represents professional congress organizers. The associations said connecting those perspectives could help members address issues across the event delivery process.
Sustainability and Professional Development
Sustainability will be one area of increased cooperation. IFES plans to contribute knowledge from exhibition production and initiatives including Better Stands. Meanwhile, IAPCO will provide the organizer and client perspective.
The associations also plan to exchange ideas around professional development and programs for emerging industry leaders. That could include sharing speakers and expertise and identifying opportunities for future joint initiatives.
“Our partnership with IAPCO has already clearly demonstrated the value of connecting different parts of our industry and learning from one another,” said Gregor Bischkopf, executive director of IFES. “This next phase will give us the opportunity to make that exchange even more practical.”
Bischkopf said sustainability and talent development affect the industry broadly. He added that sharing knowledge between the organizations can help members avoid working in isolation.
Sharing Industry Knowledge
The organizations also plan to share market intelligence, industry trends, and research. The exchange will give members perspectives from different parts of the events sector.
“Partnerships are most valuable when they continue to evolve,” said Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO. “Our relationship with IFES gives our communities an opportunity to understand more clearly the priorities, expertise and challenges that exist across different stages of event delivery.”
IAPCO reported more than 95 accredited members employing 8,112 permanent meeting professionals across more than 187 offices. In 2025, those members delivered 23,512 events. IAPCO reported an economic impact of more than €17.36 billion from those events. IFES represents more than 350 companies in more than 43 countries.
The renewed agreement does not announce specific new programs or launch dates. Instead, it identifies areas where the associations plan to expand their cooperation. Those areas include sustainability, education, talent development, research, and knowledge sharing.
The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) is a global trade association representing exhibition designers and providers of tradeshow and event services. The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) is a global accreditation body for professional conference and congress organizers. For more information, visit the IFES website and IAPCO website.
Press release submitted by IFES. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length, and style.
