IAPCO Impact Dialogue: Talent Acquisition, Retention & Development of Meetings Professionals

Supported by This is Athens-Convention & Visitors Bureau

28 July 2022 – 09.00 CET

With the business rebound after the COVID-19 pandemic, our industry is facing a major recruitment crisis. As a result, current teams are being stretched to the limit, and some are deciding to continue their professional development in a different sector.
How do we demonstrate the value of being an active professional in our industry? How do we attract young talents? How do we raise awareness during higher education about the many opportunities our industry offers? How do we ensure meeting professionals find a good work/life balance as well as options to grow in the current climate? 

Our panel will share some of the initiatives they have put in place so far and bring their unique perspective to this discussion – Join us to learn together!
Alessandra Damant is the Senior Event Operations Manager at Arinex, based in Melbourne, Australia.
She manages a team of 20 staff across Australia in the conference organising team and is responsible for the financial management and overall operational delivery of both National and International Conferences across a variety of sectors.
More recently, she has been involved in developing a Digital Conference Organising (DCO) team at Arinex and upskilling staff within the organisation.
Alessandra is the Chair of IAPCO Next Generation Council and will bring the voice of the next generation of meeting professional to the conversation. 

Sarah Markey-Hamm is CEO of ICMS. She is driven by a passion for events and is a firm believer in the power of face-to-face interactions to build communities, inspire and promote change. Value for clients has been, and always will be, the core of her business thinking. She relishes in master planning, developing and implementing innovative events and concepts that inspire, stimulate and engage audiences.
Sarah is also the President-Elect of IAPCO and leads the CEO Meets-up programme, a business strategy focused programme developed for IAPCO CEOs. 

Sissi Lygnou  has more than 20 years of experience in the Meetings Industry and has been involved in the bidding and organisation process of major events worldwide. In 2004, Sissi was appointed by the family-owned company AFEA; a leading global organisation in the Meetings Industry and corporate travel sector, where she holds the position of CEO.
Sissi is passionate about her work and serves on several boards to further the development and recognition of the industry and to facilitate best practice through networking and education.

Sissi is an IAPCO Council member and HAPCO & DES President. She will share with us some of the many initiatives HAPCO&DES have implemented in Greece to raise interest of next generations in joining the meetings industry.

The Session will be moderated by IAPCO Council President, Ori Lahav.

This session is supported by our destination partner This is Athens-Convention & Visitors Bureau