Steps to join
Step 1 - Online Application
Complete the Company Membership - Online Application Form in full.
Step 2 - Events Organised
Details of a total of 10 International or National Events organised by the applicant must be completed where the maximum number of services are provided: International, National or Regional Events whereby 40% or more of the delegates must be from at least 5 or more different countries attended by more than 300 participants. Please note: Core PCO events (the same event, taking place in different years) can only be submitted twice that is, only 2 of your 10 international events, and not more than 3 Core PCO events. The Events can be a combination of International [Regional] Association Congresses; National Congresses; International Governmental Meetings; or International Corporate Meetings [maximum 3 corporate meetings only].
Step 3 - References
Client contact details for references must be provided for at least 5 events. IAPCO will contact your 5 references to support your application.
References from IAPCO members will also be sought. If client references are not forthcoming, the Applicant will be asked to ensure that adequate references are received before the application can be further progressed. Additionally, the application fee must be paid in order for the application to progress further.
References from IAPCO members will also be sought. If client references are not forthcoming, the Applicant will be asked to ensure that adequate references are received before the application can be further progressed. Additionally, the application fee must be paid in order for the application to progress further.
Step 4 - Future events for site visit
You will need to submit 5 future events that could be considered for a site visit.
- International, National, Regional Conferences (Association or Governmental) whereby 40% or more of the delegates must be from at least 5 or more different countries attended by more than 300 participants.
At this time, IAPCO’s CEO will conduct a video interview to discuss the Applicant’s business practices.
Step 5 - Site Visit
Appraisal Visit Guidelines
On receipt of satisfactory references, the Applicant will be asked to host, (see guidelines) the appraisal visit by an IAPCO reviewer to the selected Congress/Meeting organised by the Applicant and to the Applicant’s Office. The reviewer's undertaking the appraisal visit will need to participate as a free delegate through the event registration and abstract processes.
During the visit to the Applicant’s Office, the Applicant will be asked to provide:
- Copies of printed promotional material for their future Events
- A copy of the Applicant’s Company’s Articles of Association, or other registration document or licence in English
- Details of the Company Board of Directors and / or Senior Managers and Administrators
- Access to office procedures, administration and financial information
The Process
A scoring system is in place to assess the application and consideration will be given to:- the year in which the congress was held
- the size of the event and the number of countries of delegates attending
- the services provided by the Applicant
- references received from clients and other IAPCO members
- review of the appraisal visit.
Observer Applications
This is a great way for PCOs interested in becoming an IAPCO member to get involved in the Association and provides an important steppingstone to fully accredited membership. By experiencing IAPCO for themselves, we are confident that they will see just what a big difference we can make to the reach and professionalism of their organisation.
Those wanting to become an IAPCO Observer must be proposed and seconded by an existing IAPCO member and to meet certain basic criteria. Their proposer then acts as a mentor, acting as a point of contact and helping them amass the necessary evidence for a successful membership application when they are ready.
The observer status entitles prospective members to the following entitlements for one year:
- One free registration at the Annual Meeting
- One free registration at an EDGE Seminar
- Multiple places on any EDGE seminar at the IAPCO member rate
- Free access to web-EDGE online learning facilities for one year
This costs €1.500.
Submit Observer Form and become an IAPCO Observer.
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Contact us if you have any queries.
