The IAPCO Company Report and Annual Survey is a mandatory report that our IAPCO Members are obligated to complete as part of their annual membership renewal process. It is designed to provide IAPCO with an overview of changes to our members’ organisations regarding their own company size, staffing and administration changes over the year.
The responses also, importantly, provide insight into the sentiment, foresight and trends of members, their clients and suppliers all of which are analysed by IAPCO to ensure that the Association’s products and services meet the future needs of IAPCO Members, their teams and the professional and business events industry as a whole. The data also provides IAPCO and our industry with a clear understanding of the economic value that our events can bring to destinations.
Our Annual Member Survey compiles data from the IAPCO membership to gain valuable insight into our community over the previous year and get an outlook for the coming years. This data enables IAPCO to understand its members’ impact on our industry through their performance and focus on future activities.
The membership of IAPCO collectively delivered 19,469 events across the globe in 2024 contributing an economic impact of over €17.8 billion. This represents a €3.54 billion increase from 2023 (19.8%) according to the IAPCO 2024 Annual Member Economic Impact and Business Strategy Report, released on Global Meetings Industry Day, April 3rd, 2025.
The growth in economic impact is driven by an increase of 2,425 conferences delivered by the 92 member IAPCO accredited companies whom collectively have 180 IAPCO registered PCO offices around the world.
The dramatic growth in both numbers of events and economic impact underscores the essential role professional conference organisers play in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and enhancing knowledge exchange on a global scale.
And the pace isn’t slowing. Looking forward, IAPCO members estimate strong numbers for the next three years. So much so, there are 1,969 conference contracts signed and confirmed without a designated venue or destination.
On Global Meetings Industry Day, Martin Boyle, CEO, IAPCO said each of the 19,469 conferences not only drove significant economic impact but fostered innovation, facilitated knowledge exchange, and enhanced collaboration on a global scale – core values at the heart IAPCO’s mission.
“The global meetings industry serves as a platform for professional, academic, and scientific communities to converge allowing them to debate, collaborate, and expand their networks, creating opportunities and outcomes that drive real progress.
“Our results not only represent strong economic impact, but advancements to health, academia and research, science and engineering, energy, financial and professional services, technology and manufacturing – all sectors our members specialise in.
“The growth of our sector remains a constant in our increasingly uncertain world. The drive for people to gather and share knowledge has never been stronger.”
In addition, IAPCO has seen significant growth in its own membership. As membership is dependent on companies undergoing a rigorous peer-review accreditation that assesses quality at each step of their process, it demonstrates the value the buying market is placing on quality.
“To be an IAPCO member is not easy to attain. However, the standard it represents is highly valued by associations, destinations, and organising committees who are wanting to partner with a quality PCO. We believe the growth in our membership represents a commitment to excellence from both PCO and clients, setting high standards within the industry.
"The 2024 report showcases the resilience and growth potential of the global meetings industry. With an expanding membership and a significant pipeline of future events, IAPCO members are strategically positioned to influence the evolution of the meetings landscape while adhering to the highest standards of quality and sustainability,” said Boyle.
