The cross-organisational commitment aims to increase the voice, visibility and standing of the global meetings and events sector. It is led by the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), in partnership with the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), AMC Institute (AMCI) and PCMA.
The initiative originated during the IAPCO Annual Meeting & General Assembly, held in Athens in February 2026. It invites members of the participating associations and the wider meetings and events community to sign a pledge supporting advocacy for the sector.
The invitation is open to professionals and organisations regardless of country, association membership, business type or industry role. Signatories are asked to demonstrate their commitment to engaging policymakers about the value of business events within their markets and communities.
The Athens Promise acknowledges the advocacy work already being conducted by global and national associations. It also seeks to mobilise professionals and organisations working across the sector at the local level.
The movement is intended to support locally driven action, encourage clearer discussions with governments, media organisations and other influential bodies, and create a shared narrative explaining the contribution of meetings and events.
The participating associations said advocacy is most effective when it combines collective industry action with engagement in individual markets. IAPCO, AIPC, AMCI and PCMA have committed to supporting their members in grassroots advocacy.
The pledge also invites non-members, destination organisations, suppliers and event professionals to contribute to advocacy efforts supporting the wider global industry.
Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO, said “The Athens Promise represented an example of event legacy and the collective strength of the meetings and events industry. The Athens Promise was born at the IAPCO meeting held in Athens, where global leaders came together with a shared belief that our industry has a bigger story to tell. What started as a conversation at our event has now become a global invitation. We are asking every person who works in, supports, supplies or benefits from the meetings and events industry to add their voice”.
Sven Bossu, CEO of AIPC, said: “We are getting behind this initiative because making real change requires more than the voice of one organisation, one country or one part of the industry. It is about all of us. The promise is simple: to stand together, speak more clearly and help the world better understand the value our industry creates every day”.
Tina Wehmeir, CEO of AMC Institute, said: “The meetings and events industry is a powerful driver of economic progress, innovation, professional development and social connection. It supports communities, strengthens industries, creates jobs and delivers lasting value in destinations around the world. Our collective voice has power.”
Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President & CEO of PCMA and CEMA, said the movement was created to support existing industry advocacy rather than replace it. “The Athens Promise is not designed to reinvent advocacy; it is designed to help more people take part. “Across the global meetings and events industry, associations and leaders are already doing extraordinary work. The opportunity now is to empower the wider community to carry that message further, into their own markets, their own communities and their own conversations” .
Individuals and organisations signing The Athens Promise make a public commitment to support a stronger and more visible meetings and events industry. The pledge signals their intention to work alongside industry peers and advocate for the sector, its workforce and the outcomes created through business events.
The initiative asks professionals to engage locally with governments, media and influential organisations. It also aims to build support for advocacy work already being conducted by industry associations and generate practical outcomes that can be shared internationally.
The Athens Promise will be supported through shared marketing materials and communications from participating partners.
As part of its support for members, IAPCO will also use the forthcoming JMIC Global Manifesto: Third Edition as a resource for developing advocacy messages, discussion points and approaches to policymakers.
The pledge is open to business events professionals and organisations worldwide.
Tags: Tina Wehmeir,AMC Institute Sherrif Karamat, PCMA CEMA Sven Bossu, AIPC Sissi Lignou, IAPCO
