News & Updates

The Heart of Meetings: A New Chapter for IAPCO Under Sissi Lignou’s Leadership

In a world hungry for connection, the new IAPCO President reminds us that meetings are about more than logistics—they’re about legacy, purpose, and people.

In a world shaped by disruption, distance, and disconnection, the simple act of gathering—of being in the same room with others—has taken on new weight. In her first address as President of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), Sissi Lignou delivered a speech driven by clarity, sincerity, and a belief in the human value of meetings. Her words struck a chord. They reminded us that behind every well-run event lies something deeper than business: the transfer of knowledge, the building of trust, and the shaping of ideas that can outlast us all.

Leadership Grounded in Gratitude

Lignou began by honoring those who came before her—most notably Immediate Past President Sarah Markey-Hamm, whose contributions she praised as foundational. But she extended her thanks further, to the often-unseen community of volunteers, committee members, ambassadors, and task force leaders who form the lifeblood of IAPCO. She spoke not as a figurehead, but as a colleague—someone who has spent over two decades serving the industry quietly, passionately, and with purpose. That humility—rare at the highest levels of global associations—set the tone for what promises to be a deeply collaborative presidency.

What Meetings Really Deliver 

While global business event statistics remain impressive—more than $1.2 trillion in global economic impact and over 26 million jobs supported worldwide—Lignou chose to focus on the emotional and societal return of meetings rather than just their financial yield. “We are blessed to work in this industry,” she said, “which not only brings people together, but also creates lasting legacies, contributes to economic growth, drives social progress, and inspires collaboration.” She reminded her audience that the true impact of a meeting isn’t measured only by the number of delegates or exhibition booths, but by the connections made, the knowledge shared, and the doors opened long after the event closes.

A Clear and Grounded Vision

Lignou’s strategic focus is both ambitious and grounded. She outlined a few key priorities that will define her term:

Expanding global reach, especially in emerging regions where professional congress organisers (PCOs) are growing but need more support, training, and visibility. 

Investing in education, with programs that go beyond technical skills to include leadership development, emotional intelligence, and digital fluency.

Strengthening the sense of community, both within IAPCO and across the broader meetings ecosystem, to foster trust, transparency, and long-term collaboration.

Telling our story better, with renewed focus on advocacy—not only to prove the value of meetings to governments and partners, but to help the world understand the real power of convening. 

A New Kind of Leadership In an industry often focused on performance and outcomes,

Lignou’s message was refreshingly human. She spoke of friendship, emotional intelligence, love, and trust—terms rarely heard on conference stages but deeply felt by those who make meetings possible. Her approach is not soft. It is strong in a different way: the kind of strength that listens, connects, and includes. In her words, we heard the voice of someone who understands that meetings are not just economic tools—they are bridges between people, ideas, and futures.

Looking Ahead with Purpose

With Sissi Lignou as President, IAPCO enters a chapter not defined by disruption or recovery, but by intention. She reminded us that our work matters—not only because of the revenue it generates, but because of the ideas it sparks, the partnerships it creates, and the change it can inspire.

Her final message was not about her vision—but about ours.

“In this next chapter, it will be about YOU,” she said. “IAPCO will be your dashboard—to learn, connect, collaborate, design, lead, and advocate—with a heart.” In a world searching for meaning, it is a fitting reminder that the meetings industry has always had something powerful to offer: not just organisation, but transformation. Not just gatherings, but growth. And perhaps now, more than ever, that matters.