The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) has unveiled a comprehensive sustainability programme at its 2026 Annual Meeting & General Assembly (AM&GA) in Athens, marking a significant step forward in the global meetings industry’s transition toward measurable, standards-aligned sustainable practice.
The announcement includes the launch of IAPCO’s Sustainability Strategy, the presentation of the inaugural IAPCO Sustainability Award supported by Business Events Australia, and a preview of the IAPCO Sustainability Toolkit, a practical resource designed to equip Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs) with the tools needed to drive environmental and social impact.
Together, these three initiatives position sustainability as a core pillar of IAPCO’s governance, advocacy and education framework.
Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO, said: “Sustainability is no longer a choice, it is a strategic imperative and an expectation of leading meeting owners across the globe.
“Our members are actively investing, measuring and innovating across their organisations. Our research has enabled us to identify where greater structure, stronger alignment with recognised international sustainability frameworks, and practical implementation tools will accelerate meaningful progress across our industry.
“This strategy represents IAPCO’s commitment to lead with structure, accountability and action,” said Lignou.
The Sustainability Strategy is directly informed by the findings of the IAPCO Environmental Sustainability Study 2025, which surveyed members across all regions to assess current progress, challenges and priorities.
Drawing on these insights, IAPCO identified the need for practical guidance, education, benchmarking support and strengthened industry-level advocacy, priorities that now underpin the Association’s Sustainability Strategy.
Lignou continues: "As part of the strategy’s implementation, IAPCO is also progressing strategic collaborations to strengthen technical capability, facilitate knowledge transfer and integrate recognised international sustainability frameworks, including ISO standards and global emissions protocols into its guidance and member resources."
The Inaugural IAPCO Sustainability Award supported by Business Events Australia, was presented at the IAPCO meeting to IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 by K.I.T. Group.
The Award recognises leadership and innovation in sustainable event management among IAPCO members and honours initiatives that demonstrate measurable impact, education and awareness-building, long-term legacy, environmental responsibility, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Robin Mack, Managing Director, Tourism Australia said: "Tourism Australia through Business Events Australia, is proud to champion the inaugural Sustainability Award, demonstrating our commitment to recognising excellence and driving the global conversation on sustainable impact.
"This award, complemented by the Sustainability Toolkit, provides the real-world blueprints necessary to simplify the delivery of responsible events. It is a key part of our strategy to lead the way in ensuring business events create a lasting positive influence across Australia and beyond,” said Mack.
Fourteen nominations from nine IAPCO member companies were received, demonstrating the sector’s growing maturity and commitment to responsible event delivery. Submissions were independently assessed by a jury panel, and the final recipient was selected through live member voting during the AM&GA in Athens.
Jocelyne Müll, Managing Director, K.I.T. Group accepted the award and said: “Delivering a conservation-focused global congress requires sustainability to be both visible and verifiable. This recognition affirms our commitment to transparency, innovation and continuous improvement in responsible event management.”
The two shortlisted finalists – ESCRS Congress 2025 by MCI Switzerland and 5th ISHF 2025 by Conference Partners International – were also congratulated for their outstanding achievements.
Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO, said: “The launch of the IAPCO Sustainability Award marks an important milestone for our profession. Sustainability excellence must be recognised with the same rigour as operational and strategic achievement.
“By creating a structured, peer-endorsed platform for recognition, supported by Business Events Australia, we are elevating expectations and reinforcing measurable standards across the global meetings industry. I would like to recognise Chair of the Sustainability Committee Ajay Bhojwani and our global sustainability volunteer committee for bringing these important initiatives to life.”
IAPCO also unveiled a preview of its forthcoming Sustainability Toolkit, scheduled for full release in March 2026.
Developed in collaboration with Business Events Australia, the Toolkit is designed to translate strategy into actionable steps that members can implement immediately within their operations and client projects.
The Toolkit is structured around three core pillars:
- Vision & Strategy: Defining purpose, alignment with global goals, partnerships and sustainability positioning
- Corporate Sustainability: Governance, reporting, procurement, communication and innovation
- Sustainability at Events: Venue selection, logistics, catering, waste management, digital solutions and social responsibility
The resource will include practical checklists, case studies and appendices to support implementation at organisational and event levels.
