IAPCO Accreditation
The global quality assurance for Professional Conference Organisers, recognised by associations, clients and suppliers worldwide.
Why become an IAPCO-Accredited Member?
An IAPCO Accredited PCO is a Professional Conference Organiser that plans, manages and delivers conferences and meetings to the highest professional standards.
IAPCO accreditation is a rigorous, peer-reviewed quality assurance process. It assesses excellence across key areas including timeliness, efficiency, creativity, financial responsibility and management. The result is a globally trusted mark of quality that gives clients confidence in every detail.
But IAPCO membership offers more than accreditation alone. It connects members to a trusted international community of PCOs who are committed to improving, learning and sharing. While members may compete in the marketplace, when they come together through IAPCO, openness, exchange and mutual support take centre stage. Members benefit from access to a global network of experienced professionals who openly share knowledge, discuss challenges and support one another — particularly when working across international markets and destinations.
IAPCO membership is retained through annual quality checks and ongoing review by the IAPCO Quality & Membership Committee.
A Global Community Driving Standards, Learning and Excellence
Advocacy
IAPCO members contribute to the advancement of professionalism across the global meetings industry. Through advocacy, leadership and the exchange of ideas, IAPCO helps strengthen the voice of the PCO and keep conference organisation at the forefront of industry progress.
Community
IAPCO is a trusted global community of like-minded professionals committed to improving, learning and sharing. Members benefit from worldwide expertise, destination knowledge and professional insight that support continuity, quality and confidence in conference delivery.
Education
IAPCO members are committed to continuous improvement. Through the IAPCO Education Programme, they gain access to international and regional learning opportunities that strengthen capability, raise standards and support excellence in conference management.
Members Values
Proud
Championing the professionalism of the PCO
Involved
Taking responsibility for the association and the wider industry
Extraordinary
Delivering exceptional quality and professional service
Trustworthy
Acting with integrity for clients, partners and the global meetings industry
Innovative
Setting new benchmarks through fresh thinking and innovation
Learning
Keeping education and improvement at the core of the organisation
How to become an IAPCO-Accredited Member
Step 1 - Online Application
• Complete the online application form
• Submit contact details
• Provide company details and business activity
• Share staffing details
• Outline industry involvement
• Tell us why your company wants to become IAPCO Accredited
Step 2 – Conference Portfolio
• Submit ten previous conferences, including five references
• Submit five future conferences
Qualifying conference requirements: International, national or regional conferences (association or governmental) with more than 300 participants, where forty per cent or more of delegates come from at least five different countries.
Step 3 – Quality Review, Site Inspection and Application Fee
• One of the five future conferences submitted in Step 2 will be selected for site inspection
• Site visit to your company offices, where feasible
• Online CEO interview with the IAPCO CEO
• Payment of the non-refundable application fee (€2,500), which covers travel costs for site inspections
• IAPCO will request feedback from your references
Standard PCO Services
A PCO is expected to provide the following services to clients. These will be assessed, where relevant, during the site inspection at Step 3. IAPCO Accredited Members are required to provide 14 of the 21 services listed when submitting a conference through the quality checklist.
Consultancy and Strategic Advice
Destination Research
Bidding Support
Project Management
Financial Management
Stakeholder Management
Marketing and Communications
Venue Selection and Management
Sponsor and Exhibition Management
Programme and Speaker Management
Registration Management
Conference Technology
Abstract Management
On-site Management
Social Programme
CSR and Sustainability
Compliance and Accreditation
Safety and Security
Virtual Delivery
Hotel Accommodation
Transport
Member Benefits
• International recognition as an IAPCO Accredited PCO
• Use of IAPCO Accredited branding on your website, email signature and stationery
• Client assurance through an annual quality review programme
• Preferential rates for IAPCO education programmes
• Complimentary access for all staff to IAPCO’s webEDGE online learning platform
• Opportunities to connect and collaborate with fellow PCOs worldwide
• Promotion through IAPCO marketing and communication channels, including the website, The PCO magazine, Insider newsletter and social media
• Preferential insurance rates for your conferences
• Preferential rates and commissions from many of IAPCO’s commercial partners
• Business opportunities exclusive to IAPCO members through member-member collaborations
• Additional business opportunities through requests for proposals received from clients by IAPCO HQ
• Business opportunities directly from CVBs that want to bid for congresses with IAPCO members
• Access to IAPCO Hosted Buyer groups at selected trade shows, offering valuable opportunities to interact with fellow members and strengthen industry connections
Membership Fees
Fees are based on company size and are calculated according to the number of offices within the Company Member group.
Companies from developing countries may be eligible for a forty per cent discount, based on World Bank rating criteria.
For more details, please email the IAPCO HQ team. For membership application, please visit Company Membership - Online Application Form
Discover the value of IAPCO Accreditation. Click on the images below to hear directly from our members.
FAQs
How long does the membership application process take?
The membership application process typically takes six months or more, depending on the timing of the future conference selected for site inspection. Applications cannot be fast-tracked. This reflects the rigour of IAPCO Accreditation and the standards expected of an IAPCO Accredited Member.
How is my application assessed?
A scoring system is used to assess each application. When submitting, it is highly recommended that you select recent conferences that meet the delegate criteria and demonstrate the broadest possible range of services.
Is support available throughout the application process?
Yes. IAPCO HQ will support you throughout the application process, so please do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions.
If my company becomes a Member of IAPCO, what are the ongoing requirements?
Members are required to complete annual returns, send a representative to an IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly at least once every three years, and undergo a Rotational Quality Review once every five years. A full list of Membership Requirements is available in IAPCO’s Standing Orders at iapco.org.
What happens if my application is unsuccessful?
While unsuccessful applications do happen, the process must remain rigorous to protect the strength and credibility of the IAPCO quality mark. In these cases, companies are encouraged to apply for IAPCO Observer status to access education and mentoring that may support a future successful application.
Testimonials
What makes being part of IAPCO so valuable is that the learning is constant. Whether through formal programmes or simple conversations with colleagues, there is always an opportunity to exchange ideas, discover new strategies and approaches, and learn from how others are developing their businesses. That is the real strength of the IAPCO community — the depth of knowledge, openness and support members share with one another.
Alejandro Ramirez Tabche CEO
Business
Travel Consulting, Mexico
The opportunity to come together in person with industry colleagues to exchange ideas, solve problems and drive innovation forward is invaluable. The learning, networking and shared insight gained through IAPCO meetings offer real value that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Claire Smyth
Sales & Marketing Director Conference Partners International, Ireland
Being part of IAPCO gives clients a strong sense of assurance and confidence. For international associations bringing a conference to India, IAPCO accreditation signals that they are working with a company that meets recognised professional standards, is committed to quality and excellence, and can be trusted to deliver at a high international level.
Pooja Menon
Manager – International Sales IA-Meetings - Attitude Events Pvt Ltd, India
What I value most about our IAPCO membership is the opportunity to connect with leaders across the industry who face similar challenges, whether in meeting design, the complexities of multigenerational meetings, or the day-to-day realities of leading teams and running an event-focused company.
Remco Bax Chief Financial & Operating Officer
EAGE (European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers), The Netherlands