Sissi Lignou, CEO of AFEA Congress, Announced as New IAPCO President
The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) has officially announced Sissi Lignou, CEO of AFEA Congress, as its new President. The announcement was made at the IAPCO Annual Meeting & General Assembly (AM&GA) 2025, which took place in Taipei, Taiwan, from February 21 to 23, 2025.

A New Era of Leadership for IAPCO
As the newly elected IAPCO President, Sissi Lignou embarks on a two-year term that will focus on advancing excellence within the global meetings industry, ensuring adherence to IAPCO’s core values, and promoting collaboration among professionals worldwide. Having previously been elected as President-Elect in 2024, she now steps into this leadership role with a clear
vision for the future of the association.

In her acceptance speech, Sissi Lignou expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm:

“I am deeply honored and grateful to take on this pivotal role, continuing to serve our Association with dedication, alongside my fellow Council Members and Administration. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our Immediate Past President, Sarah Markey-Hamm, for her remarkable leadership and unwavering support.

Our Association stands for excellence, and I am eager to embark on this shared journey of quality, collaboration, and friendship with our Members and Community. Together, as one IAPCO family, we have the power to showcase the extraordinary value of our future-focused global industry — one that unites people and drives meaningful progress. Let’s lead with heart and take IAPCO to new heights!”

The entire AFEA Congress Team is extremely proud of this milestone, achieved following a long-term mandate and Sissi’s volunteer contribution to IAPCO and the Meetings Industry in general.

Recognizing Leadership and Contributions
With the handover of leadership, Sarah Markey-Hamm completed her two-year term as IAPCO President and now assumes the role of Immediate Past-President and Chair of IAPCO’s Committee of Ethics.

Reflecting on Sissi’s appointment, she remarked:

“Sissi has been a force of nature on IAPCO Council, and her work on our advocacy campaign demonstrates her commitment to our Association. I look forward to supporting her in her role as President.”

IAPCO CEO Martin Boyle also praised Sissi’s leadership, stating:

“I have had the privilege of working with Sissi over the past five years in her role as an IAPCO Council Member as well as in her position as President-Elect for the past 12 months, and I am certain that her passion and drive for our industry will be of great value to our association.”

The IAPCO Council for 2025
The newly appointed IAPCO Council for 2025 brings together experienced professionals from across the globe, continuing the association’s mission of enhancing professionalism and setting high industry standards.

• President: Sissi Lignou, AFEA Congress, Greece
• Immediate Past-President: Sarah Markey-Hamm, ICMS Pty Ltd, Australia
• Treasurer: Jason Yeh, GIS Group, Taiwan

•  Ajay Bhojwani, MCI Group, UAE
•  Limor Cunia, Kenes Group, Israel
•  Ellen Franck, Meetagain, Sweden
•  Stephen Noble, The Conference Company, Australia
•  Jimena Ruiz, BTC Group, Mexico
•  Nicola Testai, OIC Group, Italy
•  Giulia Sarri, AIM Group, Italy (Co-Opted Council Member)

This year’s IAPCO AM&GA 2025 revolved around the theme ''We are of a Tribe,'' drawing inspiration from Taiwan’s rich indigenous cultures to emphasize unity, collaboration, and professional growth. The event featured sessions focusing on self-improvement, teamwork evolution, and business development, preparing attendees for the future of the global meetings
industry.

AFEA Congress, a proud and active member of IAPCO, is honored to have been part of this exciting event, uniting the voices of world-class PCOs and embracing the opportunity to connect, learn, be inspired, and share knowledge. Grateful to @IAPCO for this opportunity.

Key topics covered included:

• Your 2.0 Self: Emphasizing personal growth and drawing lessons from Taiwan’s culture.
• Redefining Teamwork: Exploring new work patterns and technological advancements for enhanced collaboration.
• Boosting Business: Encouraging industry leaders to rethink strategies for long-term success.

The event concluded with discussions on resilience, leadership, and future industry trends, further reinforcing IAPCO’s commitment to excellence. 

During the Taipei meeting, it was officially announced that Athens, Greece, will host the IAPCO AM&GA 2026. Themed “The Odyssey Reinvented,” the upcoming event will celebrate the human journey by exploring leadership, resourcefulness, and innovation in the meetings industry.

The successful bid to bring the event to Athens was the result of a collaborative effort by four Greek PCOs — AFEA Congress, Convin, ERA, and Erasmus — all proud IAPCO members, working closely with This is Athens.

As one of the hosting companies, AFEA Congress is honored to contribute to this significant milestone for the Greek meetings industry, welcoming colleagues from around the world to our vibrant city. We are deeply committed to delivering an unforgettable experience, filled with insight, inspiration, and connection — true to the spirit of both IAPCO and our home, Athens.

A symbolic passing of the IAPCO flag to the 2026 hosts took place in Taipei, marking a moment of pride and anticipation for what promises to be a landmark event for the global meetings community.

Under Sissi Lignou’s leadership, IAPCO is set to continue its mission of elevating professional standards in the meetings industry. With a strong and diverse Council, IAPCO is well-positioned to foster innovation, strengthen global partnerships, and advocate for the industry’s role in driving meaningful progress.

As IAPCO embarks on this new chapter, industry professionals, members, and stakeholders look forward to witnessing the continued impact of Sissi Lignou’s vision and leadership in shaping the future of global congress organizing.