From the President - Ori Lahav

We are living in times of exponential change. With every minute that passes, our knowledge and general understanding seems to get less. This is not because we get older or more forgetful, but the world around us develops at a pace that we just can’t keep up with.

These exponential changes enhance the need for life-long learning in every profession. As Professional Congress Organisers, we have to help our clients keep up with the trend and provide solutions. Whether it is online learning or a more flexible and dynamic way of curating conference programmes, we have to be able to react to new developments and rethink the status quo.

But we also have to think bigger than that. Are the conferences that we do still relevant in their current composition? Do we have to encourage more multi-disciplinary engagement, involving medicine and AI, science and human rights?

With the current level of change around us, the way conferences are being conducted will change immensely, and with that the way we run our businesses. In light of that, IAPCO will continue to progress and improve our member offerings as we face these challenges and opportunities together.

In 2008, Obama campaigned with the slogan “Change we can believe in”. Now in 2020 we can surely say that we have to be ready for the “Change we better believe in”.

I am writing my first message as the new IAPCO president. It is a huge honour to lead an association of industry professionals.

The company I work for was founded by Gideon Rivlin, an industry pioneer, who was also IAPCO’s president in 1981, which was 39 years ago! Gideon, like many other past presidents, was fortunate enough to participate in our 50th anniversary in Basel last year, an event that was very emotional for him and his family. Being a President of IAPCO allows me to continue the legacy that he has left behind.

Our Association is in the best shape it has ever been. It is financially stable, we have the highest number of members ever and education is constantly growing. Equally important is that we have an increasing number of engaged members who are involved in different IAPCO activities such as education, being ambassadors or connectors and much more.

Last September our Council laid the foundation of our five year strategic plan. This focuses our efforts and sets the tone for the long-term goals of the Association aligned with our vision. While we are focusing on membership growth, especially in Asia-Pacific and Latin America, alongside retaining the current members, we will not compromise on quality. The IAPCO accreditation stamp reputation cannot be diluted.

Our industry is constantly evolving and changing. We are in for some interesting and stormy days. As always, however, I am looking forward working with you for a better future.

Yours, Ori