Business Events Australia Joins IAPCO as Destination Partner

The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) has announced Business Events Australia as its newest Destination Partner, marking the next phase of a strategic collaboration that brings together destination engagement, sustainability, education and the continued advancement of the global meetings industry.

The new two-year Destination Partnership will strengthen Business Events Australia’s connection with IAPCO’s global community of accredited Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs), creating opportunities for targeted content, educational programmes, knowledge exchange and destination insight. Through the partnership, Business Events Australia will engage with international decision-makers and showcase Australia’s capability as a destination for high-value international association conferences and business events.

The agreement builds on an existing relationship, with Business Events Australia continuing its support of the IAPCO Sustainability Programme, which commenced in October 2025. Under the expanded collaboration, the sustainability component will continue into years two and three of the programme, alongside the new two-year Destination Partnership.

This broader strategic collaboration reflects the evolution of the relationship between IAPCO and Business Events Australia, and reinforces a shared commitment to responsible event delivery, professional development and long-term industry impact. It also recognises Business Events Australia’s long-term support of IAPCO’s sustainability objectives and its commitment to contributing to the future of responsible business events globally.

Key initiatives delivered through IAPCO’s Sustainability Programme include the launch of IAPCO’s Sustainability Strategy, the presentation of the inaugural IAPCO Sustainability Award, supported by Business Events Australia and presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting & General Assembly in Athens, and the development of the IAPCO Sustainability Toolkit: a practical resource designed to help PCOs embed environmental and social responsibility into event delivery.

Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO, said the partnership represents a natural progression of IAPCO’s relationship with Business Events Australia.

“Business Events Australia’s appointment as an IAPCO Destination Partner reflects the strength of our collaboration and a shared commitment to shaping the future of the meetings industry.” said Lignou.

“This is a partnership built on shared values and long-term purpose. By bringing together destination expertise, education and sustainability leadership, we are creating meaningful value for our members and contributing to the continued development of the global meetings industry.

“Business Events Australia has demonstrated a clear commitment to working with IAPCO to advance our sustainability objectives, while also creating opportunities for our accredited PCO community to engage with Australia’s exceptional business events offering.”

Sally Cope, Executive General Manager Industry and Business Events at Tourism Australia, said: “We are thrilled to be strengthening our relationship with IAPCO by becoming a Destination Partner, enabling us to showcase Australia’s exceptional business event capabilities through targeted content and educational programmes.

“Building on the strong foundation of our Sustainability Partnership, this broader collaboration gives us a valuable platform to engage with IAPCO’s global network and ensures Australia’s diverse destinations and business events experiences are top-of-mind for PCOs around the world.”

As a Destination Partner, Business Events Australia will engage directly with IAPCO’s international network, sharing destination expertise and highlighting Australia’s capability, creativity and breadth as a host destination for international conferences and business events.

The partnership will also support continued collaboration around sustainability, legacy and industry best practice, helping IAPCO members access practical insight, resources and destination expertise that support more responsible conference and meeting delivery.

Underpinned by its strategic pillars of Community, Education and Advocacy, IAPCO continues to champion the profession, inspire excellence and unlock new possibilities in conference and meeting delivery worldwide.