#UnlockingEducation across regions: IAPCO–ICCA Capacity Building Workshop

As the first milestone in the IAPCO–ICCA Memorandum of Understanding, IAPCO was proud to co-host the inaugural Capacity Building Workshop with ICCA on 9 July 2025 at the Sava Centre, Belgrade. This strategic partnership is focused on strengthening the global meetings industry by supporting professional development in underserved regions. 

Led by IAPCO President Sissi Lignou and ICCA Regional Director Europe Efi Koudeli, the workshop welcomed over thirty participants – PCOs and DMCs from across South-Eastern Europe – for a hands-on programme designed to equip professionals with practical tools and collaborative strategies for sustainable growth and high-quality event delivery. 

"At IAPCO, we are extremely proud to have joined forces with ICCA to empower and uplift meeting professionals. This workshop wasn’t just engaging and highly successful — it marked the beginning of something truly powerful. I’m excited to see where this journey takes us next," stressed Sissi. 

"At our first-ever capacity building workshop together with IAPCO, we set the stage in Belgrade with incredible engagement and energy. This collaboration marks just the beginning — a significant step forward in strengthening our capacity to engage and develop more PCOs within our industry," mentioned Efi.

🎥 Watch the video featuring Sissi and Efi, as they reflect on the workshop’s success and the broader significance of the ICCA–IAPCO MoU. Their message is clear: collaboration is key to continuing to unlock excellence in the global meetings industry. 

This successful workshop marks just the beginning of future ICCA–IAPCO initiatives to continue #UnlockingExcellence through #UnlockingEducation. Stay tuned – more impactful collaborations and regional initiatives are on the horizon.

In addition, Sissi represented the IAPCO global community as a guest panellist at the ICCA Mediterranean Chapter Meeting, held from 9–11 July in Belgrade.

Titled “Beyond the Bid Book: How Association Meetings Transform Society and Elevate Knowledge-Driven Destinations”, the panel explored how association meetings drive scientific progress, foster global knowledge exchange, and create legacies for host destinations.

Together with Paola Padovani – Business Development Director, Triumph Group; National Councillor, Federcongressi – and moderator Valentini Amarantidou – Partner & Director of Development, ARTION Conferences & Events – they discussed how events bring value beyond the meeting itself: boosting innovation, building long-term partnerships, and creating meaningful impact on both local communities and the global professional landscape. The panel also provided insight into how bid proposals can be made more compelling and successful.

From her role as IAPCO President, Sissi highlighted the value IAPCO brings to the industry and its members, and advocated for the power of PCOs to shape impactful events and drive excellence across the sector. 

✨ “Meetings matter — because behind every agenda lies the potential to change lives, industries, and futures. By raising professional standards across our industry, IAPCO also advocates for the economic and social impact that business events bring to communities around the world,” emphasised Sissi.