Executive Director, European Renal Association (ERA), Monica Fontana on the value of IAPCO accreditation

Monica Fontana, Executive Director at the European Renal Association (ERA), highlights the crucial role of IAPCO-accredited PCOs in enhancing the quality of events and congresses.
“The transparency and strict rules linked to performance and professionalism of IAPCO members is a guarantee of quality that has become even more relevant in the post-Covid era.”

Monica underscores the key qualities that distinguish IAPCO-accredited PCOs as a “guarantee of excellence. This is what I look for when I perform a tender for the choice of our preferred PCO: basically, IAPCO already does a pre-selection that I do not have to do.”
Looking ahead, Monica believes that IAPCO accreditation will continue to be crucial: “IAPCO has an essential role in making a pre- selection of partners, PCOs, allowing customers to save time when selecting a preferred PCO and in the post-Covid era time has become one of the most precious things that we have.”

Why recommend IAPCO? Monica emphasises the importance of reputation and reliability: “Reputation is key for medical societies and you cannot risk it especially when you are responsible for organising important annual events. Furthermore, the financial outcome of the events contribute to the overall annual income of the Society allowing funding for all the activities. These two essential things cannot be jeopardised in any way!”

Declan Kelly, Head of Development, Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) on IAPCO-accredited PCOs managing complex situations with experience and ease

For the past 10 years, ICMS has been the trusted conference organiser for CBAA, “consistently delivering high-quality conferences that align with the diverse needs of our members,” says Declan.
What sets IAPCO-accredited PCOs like ICMS apart? According to Declan, it’s their unwavering professionalism, commitment to best practices, and innovative approach to event management. He notes, “ICMS has brought a level of professionalism, best practices, and innovation to the CBAA’s annual conference, helping to elevate the event’s profile and impact year on year. They have taken their time to understand our diverse membership’s needs, including those with disabilities.”

One of the defining moments of ICMS’s service was their handling of a critical situation during a recent conference when venue staff communication channels broke down; the IAPCO-accredited PCO’s swift and effective intervention ensured the event continued smoothly. Declan recalls, “ICMS stepped in, quickly assessing the situation and taking charge of coordinating the venue staff. Their ability to organise and streamline communication among the staff ensured that the conference ran smoothly.”

Looking ahead, Declan believes that IAPCO accreditation will continue to play a crucial role in driving innovation within the global meetings industry. “IAPCO and their accredited members will lead in the innovation of events and the integration of technologies.”
For those considering working with an IAPCO-accredited PCO, Declan’s advice is clear: “They will help you push your conference to evolve every year.” The CBAA has experienced firsthand the professionalism, innovative spirit and transformative impact of partnering with an IAPCO-accredited PCO.”

Rui Pinho, Executive Vice-President of the EUCENTRE Foundation, says accreditation delivers assurance and quality

The 2024 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (WCEE) hosted 4,250 participants from 82 countries.
“The success of the international conference could not in any way have been reached without the partnership of an IAPCO-accredited member. In any industry and profession, the process of accreditation always plays a critical role in ensuring not only the provision of quality services, but also the adoption of up-to-date practices and principles.”

What sets IAPCO-accredited PCOs apart? According to Rui, it’s their consolidated experience, adherence to sustainability principles, and commitment to quality assurance. “We, as organisers of the event, had to regularly introduce changes to the initial plans, and our PCO was always able to take the necessary adaptation steps.”
Looking ahead, Rui believes IAPCO accreditation guarantees up-to-date practices and high-quality service. His advice for anyone considering an IAPCO-accredited PCO? “Assurance on experience and services provision quality is necessarily higher.”

Arnaldo Nardone, Exhibition Group owner on IAPCO’s transformative impact

Arnaldo Nardone, Chairman & Founder of FIEXPO Exhibition Group, says that “IAPCO-accredited Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs) have had a transformative impact on the global meetings industry.”
He said that IAPCO members have been credited with elevating the FIEXPO Academic Program, and their involvement has been nothing short of transformative.

“The exceptional quality content provided by IAPCO members significantly enriched FIEXPO’s entire academic program, positioning their events as leading platforms for knowledge exchange in the industry. The unparalleled level of expertise and professionalism brought by IAPCO-accredited PCOs ensured that the program was not only informative but also impactful, setting a new standard for excellence.”

According to Arnaldo, what sets IAPCO-accredited PCOs apart from others is “their unmatched professionalism, deep industry experience, and impeccable working methodology.” These qualities, “combined with a rigorous approach to planning and implementation, guarantee smooth operations and outstanding outcomes for every event. The consistent delivery of high-quality results is what makes IAPCO-accredited PCOs leaders in the field, and a trusted partner for any event.”

Looking ahead, Arnaldo believes that IAPCO and its accreditation will play a crucial role in shaping the future of business events. “By elevating the quality of service provided by truly professional PCOs, IAPCO ensures that excellence is not just a goal, but a standard that clients can rely on. The distinction between those who consistently deliver excellence and those who don’t is what will continue to drive the success of the industry.”

Why choose an IAPCO-accredited PCO? For Arnaldo, the choice is clear: “working with an IAPCO-accredited PCO is the best decision you can make. It means choosing professionalism, experience, and a commitment to excellence. With an accredited PCO, you can have peace of mind knowing that your event is in expert hands, and that it will be delivered with outstanding results. It’s a choice that guarantees success.”

Convention Bureau Director, Alain Pittet, on why IAPCO is at the forefront of excellence

Alain Pittet, Director of the Convention Bureau at Geneva Tourism & Conventions Foundation, shares his insights on how IAPCO- accredited Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs) are at the forefront of delivering excellence in the industry.
According to Alain, one of the key qualities that sets IAPCO-accredited PCOs apart are the rigorous quality controls they undergo. “These regular assessments ensure that only the highest standards of service and reliability are maintained, offering peace of mind to event organisers.”

“The challenges of the pandemic brought to light the importance of innovative solutions which IAPCO-accredited PCOs were instrumental in delivering, helping clients respond to complex situations with creativity and expertise.”

Why choose an IAPCO-accredited PCO? For Alain, the answer is simple: “guaranteed quality standards. When it comes to organising a successful event, there is no substitute for the assurance that comes with working with an IAPCO-accredited PCO.”
Looking ahead, Alain believes that IAPCO-accredited members “will continue to raise industry standards through continuous education and the sharing of insights on new trends.”

Edgar Anaya, President of the Mexican Branch of the International Fiscal Association, shares the difference an IAPCO Member delivers

An IAPCO-accredited PCO, BTC México, managed the 75th Congress of the International Fiscal Association in Cancun, October 2023.
Edgar highlights that, “BTC México acted as the PCO of the 75th Congress, demonstrating a complete and total understanding of our event’s needs. Their commitment went beyond expectations, showcasing unparalleled respect, professionalism, and attention to every detail.”

He underscores the significance of IAPCO accreditation: “Maintaining a standard of quality and professionalism is key in any business area. IAPCO-accredited PCOs set the bar high, ensuring that organisers can choose between a basic event or an exceptional experience.”

Edgar advises those considering IAPCO-accredited PCOs: “It’s a true investment in having a successful event. With an IAPCO- accredited PCO, you ensure a smooth, enjoyable event with peace of mind. They make all the difference between an expensive meeting and a truly great congress.

Leonidas Duntas on how IAPCO-accredited PCOs deliver successful events

Leonidas Duntas, Professor Dr at Evgenideio Hospital and Past Sec Gen of the European Thyroid Society says that IAPCO-accredited PCOs play a transformative role in delivering successful events.
Reflecting on his experience working with an IAPCO-accredited PCO, Leonidas emphasises their unique capabilities in overseeing multiple aspects of conference organisation, including technical support, catering coordination, and event promotion. “Their ability to foresee the importance of the event and choose the right venue, while engaging key sponsors and promoting the event through social media, set them apart.”

Looking to the future, Leonidas is confident that IAPCO and its accreditation will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the business events industry. “IAPCO accreditation will remain critical in certifying the quality of events and ensuring high standards across the board.”

He also recalls a challenging situation where the IAPCO-accredited PCO’s expertise made a significant impact. “There were unexpected technical issues and delays in the arrival of keynote speakers.” According to Leonidas, the PCO’s flexibility and adaptability to make swift program changes ensured the event’s success despite these challenges.

For those considering working with an IAPCO-accredited PCO, Leonidas says, “It is highly recommended to ensure the quality of the event. The details make the difference.”
At the end of the day, the reason to choose an IAPCO-accredited PCO is their point of difference: “Expertise and qualification are key. The tradition of IAPCO is important, and it can truly make the difference.”

Jayr Bass says a trusted partnership can create global impact

Jayr Bass, Director of AO Spine at AO Foundation, reflects on the vital role IAPCO-accredited Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) play in elevating global events.
Partnering with IAPCO-accredited OIC since 2015, has allowed a trust and true partnership to develop. “We have grown together over the years and were able to share experiences, challenges and solutions as well as challenge each other to further excel.”

Jayr believes that the high standards and global connections of IAPCO-accredited PCOs are some of the key qualities that sets them apart from others in the industry and enables them to solve region-specific challenges. “As we move our congress from region to region, we always face new challenges and the ability to tap into the knowledge pool of IAPCO members means we always find good solutions.”

Looking to the future of fast changing business events and the role IAPCO accreditation will play, Jayr says the IAPCO network of likeminded organisations exchanging knowledge, discussing challenges, and supporting each other is going to be key.
For Jayr, choosing IAPCO-accredited PCOs offers peace of mind, “Being a global organisation, moving our congress from region to region we have to rely on the expertise and insights of our PCO. Knowing that they can rely on a network of other PCOs across the world ensures that we can adapt to the local environment with the local knowledge of their partners.”

Sam Johnston says IAPCO-accredited PCOs are delivering global insights whilst driving innovation and sustainability

Sam Johnston, Manager at Dublin Convention Bureau, emphasises the transformative role IAPCO-accredited Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) play in shaping world-class events.
The global presence and reach of IAPCO is a key differentiator in the market.

“IAPCO insights and white papers always bring fresh, up to date views to event content.  With a wide membership across the globe, trends are more identifiable and verified.”

“The global reach of IAPCO and its carefully chosen partners speak volumes around quality – of event delivery, best practice, and looking beyond just event delivery. The latter element is key for our industry in its responsibilities to our planet and communities through the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
For those considering working with an IAPCO-accredited PCO, Sam advises listening to their stories and understanding the benefits of working within a global network that shares and learns together and champions best practices.

Manolis Georgoulis, Local Organizing Committee Chair of COSPAR Athens 2022, on the unparalleled expertise offered by an IAPCO-accredited PCO.

AFEA managed the 44th COSPAR (Committee on Space Research) Scientific Assembly in July 2022, a prestigious event that hosted nearly 3,000 participants across nine days, with 145 scientific sessions and special events.
Manolis emphasises the unparalleled support AFEA provided them, particularly given their complex profession and unique offering to members. “From candidacy proposal to post-event reporting, AFEA was a guiding force at every stage. Their structured, professional approach was vital in delivering a complex and multifaceted event. They secured the non-scientific sponsorships we needed and their attention to detail made a world of difference.”

Reflecting on the challenges they faced, he adds, “We experienced a major technical failure just before the event started, and it was AFEA’s audiovisual contractor that saved the day. Without their expertise, we wouldn’t have been able to maintain the high quality we envisioned.”
For Manolis, working with an IAPCO-accredited PCO was transformative. “In large, high-complexity gatherings like ours, IAPCO- accredited PCOs ensure the highest possible quality and expertise, making them an essential partner in delivering successful, large- scale scientific events.”