About us
About Us

The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) is a not-for-profit membership association and the only international accreditation organisation for professional conference organisers.
Advocacy
- Initiatives
- Dear Associations of the World
Initiatives & Advocacy

Raising the levels of professionalism and advocating on the economic and social impact value that our industry brings to communities around the world.
Membership
Membership

IAPCO Membership is the epitome of excellence for PCOs in the global business events industry.
Education
Education

Education is at the core of IAPCO and everything the Association does revolves around it.
Community
Partnerships

IAPCO partners are organisations that have aligned themselves with IAPCO’s mission to promote the professional development of congress organisers and the industry.
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Knowledge Hub

The go-to location for the latest issues of our PCO Magazine, member news, IAPCO articles and to access our many whitepapers and guidelines.
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Membership

IAPCO Membership is the epitome of excellence for PCOs in the global business events industry.

But our commitment to our members goes beyond recognition. With IAPCO membership you open the door to a world of unparalleled advantages, including access to exclusive resources, networking opportunities, and education programmes to help you grow your business, develop your employees and stay ahead of the competition.

What does it mean to be an IAPCO member? We asked some of our members and partners how being part of the IAPCO global community has made a difference in their professional journey and business — here’s what they had to say.

Join IAPCO >

Recognising the best-qualified professional congress organisers and building strong and mutually focused relationships to achieve great results for the meetings and events industry.

Member Benefits >

Professional development, business development and global presence

Find an Accredited PCO >

IAPCO proudly presents our comprehensive member directory of Professional Congress Organizers (PCOs), representing a gold standard of excellence in the world of event management and planning.

Why choose a Member >

What makes IAPCO members stand out above all others...

Why become an IAPCO Accredited Member?

To be a member of IAPCO ensures your quality standing as one of the highest in the world in the Meetings Industry. We offer two distinctive types of membership, each tailored to the unique needs of professionals in the congress organisation industry.

"Being an IAPCO member isn’t just about a title—it’s about a deep pride in what we do and the impact we have. We’re part of a small, passionate community that rolls up its sleeves and takes responsibility for shaping the future of the meetings industry. For us, it’s not just about organizing conferences; it’s about creating meaningful experiences, building trust with our clients, and setting a standard others look to. We care about getting it right, every time, and we’re always learning, always improving, to stay ahead in a world that never stands still. That’s what being an IAPCO member means to us—it’s a commitment to excellence, innovation, and doing right by those who trust us with their vision."

IAPCO Member Benefits

IAPCO provides a range of benefits to member PCOs, including:

Accreditation – IAPCO accreditation is a globally recognised mark of quality for PCOs. It demonstrates that our members have met the highest standards of professional competence and ethics.
Training – IAPCO offers a comprehensive range of training programs for PCOs, from entry-level to advanced. Our training is delivered by experienced industry professionals and is designed to help our members stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. IAPCO Members also receive access to our online educational programmes, WebEDGE, at no additional cost.
Business Development - IAPCO receives requests for proposals from international and regional associations for PCOs. If you are not an IAPCO Member, you may miss out. In addition, our members often work together to deliver rotational meetings and congresses. Clients appreciate knowing that IAPCO accredited members collaborate in this manner.
Preferential rates for your clients' events – IAPCO members can access preferential rates from insurance providers, accommodation and service providers for their events. This can help them to save money on event costs or provide added revenue streams for the Member.

Networking – IAPCO provides a valuable networking platform for PCOs from all over the world. Our events and meetings offer opportunities to share ideas, learn from each other and build relationships.
Advocacy – IAPCO works to promote the interests of the PCO industry on a global level. We lobby governments and industry bodies on issues such as visa regulations, taxation and sustainability.
Bidding Opportunities - CVBs and DMOs often only recommend IAPCO accredited PCOs to clients when they are considering bidding for international meetings and congresses.
Profiling - IAPCO Members are represented at high-level discussions across other industry associations. To have a seat at these tables ensures relevance for PCOs well into the future.

IAPCO Member Values

They are proud of their profession – They live up to the ‘P’ in PCO
They get involved – They are a small and active group taking responsibility for their association and the industry at large.
They are extraordinary – They care about delivering the highest quality of professional services and making decisions accordingly.
They uphold the trust – They have a responsibility to their clients and to the whole meetings industry, to conduct business in a trustworthy way.
They set the benchmark – They are at the forefront of innovation within their profession and always strive to improve.
They embrace continuous learning – They put education at the core of their organisation.

Applying for Membership

We offer two distinctive types of membership, each tailored to the unique needs of professionals in the congress organisation industry. Please take a moment to explore and choose the membership category that best suits your role and aspirations.

Company Membership

Ideal for Professional Congress Organisations (PCOs). If you represent a company dedicated to organising and managing congresses, conferences and events, this membership is designed for you. Benefit from the vast array of resources, networking opportunities and support IAPCO offers to grow your business and achieve excellence in the industry.

In-house Organiser Membership

Tailored for individuals and teams within organisations, associations or corporations who manage their events internally. If you are responsible for planning and executing conferences, congresses and meetings on behalf of your organisation, this membership provides you with access to valuable insights, best practices and a network of experienced professionals to enhance your event management skills.