Emerging Leader Award

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The IAPCO Emerging Leader Award was created by IAPCO and the IAPCO Destination Partners to recognise an individual from within our community who has demonstrated leadership skills early in their professional career.

The winner will receive the prestigious Emerging Leader Award, as well as an education bursary which includes travel and accommodation to attend the IAPCO Annual Meeting & General Assembly.

Entries are independently reviewed by every member of the jury panel (one representative from each Destination Partner Convention Bureau), using a standardised scoring matrix based on six weighted criteria: project impact, innovation, leadership, alignment with IAPCO values, future vision, and personal presentation.

The final winner is confirmed based on the highest score.

Do you know someone who embodies these qualities? This is an incredible opportunity to recognise the outstanding individuals in your team. Shine a spotlight on them by nominating them for the IAPCO Emerging Leader Award!

Nominations for the 2027 Emerging Leader Award are now open.

Nominations close on 15 December 2026.

The 2027 Award will be presented on stage by the IAPCO Destination Partners at the IAPCO AM&GA 2027 in Mumbai, India.

2027 Emerging Leader Award with Destination Partners f

Criteria/ Rules of Entry

Rules of entry

You must be aged 40 or under on the nomination deadline
You must currently work in any department of an IAPCO Member Company or a registered Member Office.
Each IAPCO Member Company may put forward one nominee per 100 employee

Judging criteria
Each nomination will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Impact: measurable contribution to community-building within the meetings industry.
Innovation: new, creative, or adaptive approaches to challenges.
Leadership and collaboration: the ability to inspire others, work well in a team and drive positive change.
Alignment with IAPCO values: a clear commitment to IAPCO’s mission and values, shown through high professional standards, ethical practice, a focus on quality and a contribution to the global PCO community.
Future vision: clarity and depth of thought regarding the evolution of the PCO community.
Personal presentation: how clearly and convincingly you present yourself and your work, including in your video.

Every member of the jury reviews each entry independently. The jury has one representative from each Destination Partner convention bureau. Jurors score each criterion from 1 to 5 using a standardised scoring matrix. IAPCO HQ then combines the scores, and the entry with the highest total score wins.

The Judging panel
Our Destination Partners form the jury for this award, bringing a wide range of global perspectives to the selection of the 2027 Emerging Leader. Each jury member will review your nomination independently.

The Award
The winning recipient will receive:

One complimentary pass to the following year’s AM&GA (Mumbai, India, 2027), along with €1,500 for travel and hotel support.
The Emerging Leader Award Trophy
Use of the Emerging Leader Award logo on your email signature, stationery and professional biography/CV

IAPCO Destination Partners will present the award on stage during the AM&GA.

Key dates - Nominations now open

Nomination deadline: Tuesday 15 December 2026
Winner notified (under embargo): late January or early February 2027
Award presentation: 5 March 2027, at the IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly in Mumbai, India

Current Winner

IAPCO advances global workforce development strategy with Emerging Leader Awards announced in Athens

2026 – Cheryl Choy, International Conference Services (ICS), Singapore

Cheryl Choy from International Conference Services (ICS), Singapore has been named the recipient of the prestigious IAPCO Emerging Leader Award 2026, supported by the IAPCO Destination Partners.

The the Emerging Leader Award was presented at the 2026 IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly in Athens to recognise an outstanding individual from a field of six high-quality nominations. The entries were independently assessed by a jury panel comprising representatives from IAPCO’s nine Destination Partners, evaluated against weighted criteria including innovation, impact, leadership and professional contribution.

The winner, Cheryl Choy, Head of Project Management for Asia Pacific at the Member Company International Conference Services Pte Ltd (ICS) in Singapore, received the award on stage – a moment that felt well-earned for someone who has spent the past year doing the quiet, determined work of institutional change.

At the heart of Choy’s nomination was the Dual Role Framework, an initiative she designed and implemented within ICS’s APAC team with a deceptively simple premise: help people work smarter by breaking down the silos between Registration, Programme Management, Sponsorship and Operations. Through structured crosstraining, skills mapping and a mentorship system that paired experienced colleagues with those learning new functions, the framework transformed how the team operates. Wrike was adopted as a central project management platform to embed dual-role responsibilities into day-to-day workflows, creating a single source of truth for an entirely remote workforce.

‘It’s not just about efficiency – it’s about creating a team culture where collaboration, growth and adaptability are part of everyday life.’

The outcomes were tangible. Workflow bottlenecks reduced, project timelines shortened and meeting fatigue decreased as deep work time increased. Staff reported higher job satisfaction and greater confidence, with career pathways that felt genuinely expansive rather than narrowly defined. Talent retention improved, and the framework has since attracted interest from other regional teams within the organisation. ICS itself offered an unequivocal endorsement: ‘She is not just managing change; she is proactively designing the solutions that will define our industry’s success for the next decade.’

Choy’s vision for the industry extends well beyond her own team. In her written submission, she set out a compelling picture of the PCO of the future: technologically fluent, sustainability-conscious, culturally aware and operationally agile. She sees AI not as a threat to the human dimension of events but as a tool to free teams to focus on what matters most – strategic thinking, stakeholder relationships and meaningful attendee experience. On sustainability, she is equally direct: it must be embedded at the design stage, not bolted as an afterthought, and leaders have a personal responsibility to build their own expertise and pass it on.

What makes Choy a compelling choice for this award is the consistency between her vision and her practice. The Dual Role Framework is not a theoretical proposal; it is a working model, already delivering results, already being replicated. For IAPCO and its Destination Partners, the inaugural Emerging Leader Award has gone to someone who embodies exactly what the accolade was created to celebrate: a professional who is actively building the future, here and now.

Previous Winners

2025 – Sayde Hojeij, Infomed, Lebanon

2025 – Sayde Hojeij, Infomed International for Events, Lebanon

Sayde Hojeij from Infomed International for Events, Lebanon has been named the recipient of the prestigious International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) Hero Award 2025.

The IAPCO Hero Award, one of three unique Driving Excellence Awards presented by IAPCO annually, recognises individuals who exemplify excellence and dedication in the events management industry. Supported by IAPCO Destination Partners, the Hero Award acknowledges team members who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation and contribution within their organisations.

Saydé was nominated for her exceptional crisis management and initiative. During the war when travel restrictions in Lebanon and the region, the Infomed team faced limitations in attending projects on-site. Based in Paris, Saydé took the initiative to independently manage multiple projects, delivering exceptional results despite challenging circumstances

For a critical product launch in Iraq, the initial plan was to manage the project remotely while the local client team handled execution. Recognizing the risks, Saydé proactively approached the client, and personally oversaw the project on-site. The outcome was exceptional—the client expressed immense satisfaction, emphasizing that her presence was critical in preventing potential issues and ensuring flawless execution.

Sayde was invited to attend The IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly (AM&GA) in Taipei, Taiwan from 20-23rd February 2025 to receive the Hero Award and education bursary supported by IAPCO Destination Partners.

After receiving the award, Saydé expressed her heartfelt gratitude: “Receiving the Hero Award at the IAPCO Meeting has been an incredibly empowering experience. As a proud representative of Lebanon, this recognition is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the strength and resilience of the Lebanese people. It is a symbol of the dedication, passion, and perseverance that women bring to every field, and I hope this serves as an inspiration for others to continue breaking barriers and striving for excellence.

Commnenting on Saydé’s achievements, Joelle Saade Shamas, Founder & Managing Partner, Infomed said “Saydé has consistently stepped beyond the scope of her role, demonstrating leadership, initiative, and exceptional problem-solving abilities. Whether facing logistical challenges, client demands, or external crises, she has repeatedly proven her ability to deliver high- quality results. Her promotion to Project Manager in 2025 is a testament to her skills, achievements, and the trust she has earned from clients and leadership alike. Saydé’s contributions have significantly enhanced our project outcomes and elevated client satisfaction. She is a truly deserving candidate for recognition and awards.”

2024 - Ginevra De Bellis, OIC Group, Italy

2024 – Ginevra De Bellis, OIC Group, Italy

Ginevra De Bellis, Department Head of International Relations and Bid Management at OIC Group has been named the 2024 recipient of the prestigious International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) Hero Award. The announcement was made on the final day of the Association’s Annual Meeting and General Assembly (AM&GA) held from February 28th to March 2nd in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Ginevra was nominated by her team for her outstanding leadership and contributions to the success of OIC Group. As Department Head, she oversees the implementation and execution of bids, trains and onboards new team members and serves as the company’s ambassador across the international associative sector.

Her exceptional leadership skills have created a positive and supportive working environment, fostering trust among staff and clients alike. Ginevra’s commitment to quality and teamwork has made her an invaluable asset to OIC Group.

Upon receiving the award, Ginevra expressed her gratitude, stating, “Winning this award is a dream come true, it is the achievement of an important goal that confirms my passion and commitment to the industry and stimulates me to keep growing the dedication to my team and clients. I think there are no insurmountable barriers, I always try to be a catalyst for change, prioritising quality and teamwork.”

“I would like to thank Nicola Testai and OIC Group for the opportunity to grow and learn in my role. To my team at OIC, my talented colleagues, I truly appreciate every one of you.”

Ginevra, who holds a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology and a Master’s in Business Administration, has consistently demonstrated exceptional talent in business development, public speaking, and project management since joining OIC Group in 2016.

Nicola Testai, CEO of OIC Group; commending Ginevra for her positive influence at the company said, “Ginevra’s ability to facilitate discussions on industry trends and problem-solving highlights her role as an enabler, especially at events where she represents OIC, making her a central figure in identifying and navigating the currents of change in the meeting industry.”

“Her international perspective not only enriches the corporate culture but also acts as a pioneer for exploration and professional growth among employees. Her academic background provides a solid educational momentum, raising the collective level of competence and encouraging colleagues to seek greater knowledge and specialisation.”

Commenting on Ginevra’s achievements, IAPCO President Sarah Markey-Hamm said, “Ginevra exemplifies the spirit of excellence and dedication that defines the IAPCO Hero Award. Her passion and commitment to her work, along with her unwavering support for her team and clients, set a remarkable example for all professionals in our field.”

As the recipient of the IAPCO Hero Award, Ginevra received the prestigious Hero Award trophy and an education bursary, which includes travel and accommodation to attend the IAPCO Annual Meeting in Taipei, Taiwan from 20- 3 February 2025.

The IAPCO Hero Award celebrates individuals nominated by colleagues, clients, or suppliers within an IAPCO PCO company. Nominations are sought annually from across the IAPCO member community.

2022 – Yoke Chun Cheong, International Conference Services (ICS), Singapore

International Conference Services (ICS) Department Head of Projects & Operations Management, Yoke Chun Cheong was announced as the winner of The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) Hero Award 2022 at the Association’s Annual Meeting and General Assembly (AM&GA) held between 6-9 February in Jerusalem.

As the Department Head for the Project Management and Operations Team, Yoke manages the staff for both departments of ICS’s Singapore office, overseeing the implementation and execution of departmental procedures and processes, and is responsible for training and onboarding new team members.

Nominated by her own team, Yoke has proven to be an exceptional leader by creating a positive and supportive work environment and establishing a level of trust that enables staff to come to her for advice and support. Her strong but humble presence has provided stability to the team and created a collaborative environment which was missing from previous leadership.

Yoke has worked as a DMC, adjunct lecturer for Hospitality Studies and a freelance tour guide for the most part of her 25-year career and was one of two employees who joined ICS Singapore in 2019. Yoke was promoted to the Head of the Department in Jan 2022.

As the IAPCO Hero Award winner Yoke received the prestigious Hero Award trophy as well as an education bursary which includes travel and accommodation to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

“Winning this award is both a surprise and a great honour. It is a surprise as I feel there is still much to learn in my journey as a leader. I am also honoured to be recognized for my effort and humbled by the validation from peers and colleagues that I am doing something right.

“I would like to thank the leadership team for the opportunity to grow and learn in my role. To my fellow peers and fellow Heads of Departments who started this journey with me and worked as hard if not harder, all of them are Heroes in their own right.

“To my ‘immediate family’ at ICS, my talented Project Managers and Operation Ninjas, I truly appreciate each and every one of you.”

“I am a quintessential Singaporean, who loves her city’s diversity and cultures. As a licensed tour guide, I enjoy showing the nooks and crannies of Singapore and volunteer at the National Gallery of Singapore as a museum docent when scheduling permits.”

“One of my most vivid memories during the training was to think about how we want to show up in our leadership role and to create our own work guiding statement. Mine was ‘To stay professional, fair, and compassionate. To create a safe space where everyone respects, trusts and listens to one another’. In my daily course of work, I try to live by this mantra.”

– Yoke Chun Cheong

2021 – Hannah Jarvis, MCI, UK

Hannah is an exceptional event professional – her passion and commitment to the industry and her dedication to her team and clients make her deserving of recognition. From leading the digital transformation of her clients’ events to championing sustainability initiatives across our 60 global offices, Hannah is an inspiring event talent making a significant impact through meaningful change.

Her role as Association Producer and a recent graduate with a 2:1 BA Hons in Event Management; she has gone from strength to strength to make her mark within the MCI team. Hannah’s focused on learning and mastering different virtual event platforms and leading on the implementation of these platforms for her healthcare clients’ educational programmes. Hannah’s also dedicated time to learn sign language and digital marketing to expand her skills – these are just two further examples of how driven and ambitious she is in wanting to keep on achieving.

Hannah is a sustainability champion, heading up the UKCSR team for the past two years, as well as the wider global agency. Hannah looks at the whole spectrum of sustainability, embracing intersectional environmentalism. Focussing not just on the environmental elements, but also emphasising the importance of people through diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing. People and planet are very much interlinked, and we need to be mindful of both. Hannah has been specifically chosen by global leadership to be part of the key task force looking at sustainable solutions and initiatives for our clients and talents.

Hannah’s role in the team is to research and develop a framework for inclusiveness and diversity in events. She is making recommendations on a range of event touchpoints, from marketing and pre-event to catering and virtual experiences; all the while having empathy at the centre of her work.

She has hosted multiple workshops and webinars in the development of this global framework. Hannah is championing a holistic approach when looking for solutions of how our industry can make a positive change.

Hannah wants to encourage more conversation and awareness around inclusivity in events and how we can remove barriers to inclusiveness. What do we need to consider in relation to individual needs and how can experiences be designed, whether live or virtual, to not only be more sustainable but also empower wider diverse audiences to participate?

It’s about not being afraid to question existing industry processes, asking for alternatives and being a catalyst for change. Events and tourism bring so much value to communities and deliver important revenue for regions, but Hannah sees an opportunity for the event industry to reflect and reset. She wants to use her platforms to generate discussion and awareness and provide a call to action for our industry to lead the way, and more importantly to make the difference now.

Criteria/ Rules of Entry

Current Winner

Previous Winners

2025 – Sayde Hojeij, Infomed, Lebanon

2025 – Sayde Hojeij, Infomed International for Events, Lebanon

2024 - Ginevra De Bellis, OIC Group, Italy

2024 – Ginevra De Bellis, OIC Group, Italy

2022 – Yoke Chun Cheong, International Conference Services (ICS), Singapore

2021 – Hannah Jarvis, MCI, UK

Destination Partners

Athens >

Australia >

Dubai >

Frankfurt >

Geneva >

Guadalajara >

Ireland >

Japan >

Rwanda >

Toronto >

Türkiye >

Vienna >