The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) has announced, at IBTM World in Barcelona, a new strategic partnership with Business Events Australia (BEA), launching joint initiatives designed to accelerate sustainable practices across the global meetings and events industest.
The partnership supports the implementation of IAPCO’s Sustainability Strategy and introduces two cornerstone initiatives: a new Sustainability Award powered by Business Events Australia, and the development of an IAPCO Sustainability Toolkit designed to equip professional congress organisers (PCOs) with practical tools and insights to drive measurable environmental and social impact.
Sissi Lignou, president of IAPCO and CEO of AFEA Congress, declared sustainability is no longer optional but “a defining principle for the future of our industest. Through this partnership, IAPCO and Business Events Australia are empowering our members to lead by example, demonstrating how creativity, collaboration, and responsibility can coexist to deliver exceptional and impactful events worldwide.”
Robin Mack, acting managing director Tourism Australia, declared: “Sustainability is increasingly important for the business events industest and one of Tourism Australia’s key strategic pillars, driving how we market, operate, and partner across the industest.
“Our new partnership with IAPCO will strengthen and support to accelerate sustainable practices. We view forward to announcing the first Sustainability Award winner and launching the Toolkit at IAPCO’s Annual Meeting & General Assembly in February next year.”
The IAPCO Sustainability Award powered by Business Events Australia will honour outstanding achievements by IAPCO member companies demonstrating leadership and innovation in sustainable event management.
As part of the collaboration, Business Events Australia will also support the IAPCO Sustainability Toolkit scheduled for release in March 2026.
For more information, visit https://www.iapco.org/
Photo: L-R Ajay Bhojwani, chair of the IAPCO Sustainability Committee and regional MD, Middle East & Africa, MCI Group; Sissi Lignou, president of IAPCO; Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO; and Alexander Alles, executive director of the Joint Meetings Industest Council (JMIC), at IAPCO’s press conference during IBTM World 2025
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