The Destination Partnership programme at IAPCO was created in 2013 to better align IAPCO member PCOs with leading Convention and Visitor Bureaux (CVBs) around the world. It was identified that through the facilitation of stronger collaborative dialogue and opportunities, PCOs and CVBs would be in a much more strategic position to drive success for their mutual clients.
Since then, the Destination Partnership Programme has grown to include 13 CVBs from around the globe, each providing unique opportunities and solutions that ensure the long-term success of the association and corporate business and professional events industry.
Individual IAPCO destination partners have reported that the economic impact of business events they have won and those in the pipeline directly through IAPCO members can reach well over 300 million euros, through the term of their partnership with IAPCO.
IAPCO Council held their mid-year Council Meeting in Geneva in June of this year. Whilst there, Council members met with local meetings industry and government stakeholders, experienced some of the meeting venues and services in the city and conducted a strategic stakeholders engagement programme. This first-hand experience further confirmed the professionalism and offerings in and around Geneva.
Sarah Markey-Hamm, President, IAPCO, said: “Joining forces with the Geneva Convention Bureau further strengthens our mission to elevate standards and drive excellence in global congress organisation. Geneva brings a unique blend of professionalism and innovation to our Destination Partner Community, and I am thrilled to see how this collaboration will provide even greater value to our members and their clients. Together, we will continue to set the benchmark for impactful, transformative business events worldwide.”
Martin Boyle, CEO, IAPCO, said: “Our Destination Partners are integral to the growth and development of the IAPCO community as they play a key role in the delivery of our clients’ meetings and events. It is of utmost importance to association and corporate clients that our PCO members have direct contact with the most senior policy-makers and influencers in destinations. This ensures a truly whole-of-city partnership and delivery for the meeting and event.”
Alain Pittet, Director, The Geneva Convention Bureau, commented: “The Geneva Convention Bureau is proud to be one of IAPCO’s destination partners for the next two years. This also supports our strategy of increasingly communicating the endless advantages of our international city to those who influence the selection of destinations for association congresses. For me personally, it is a great satisfaction to be part of the IAPCO family again after two and a half years.”'
Tags: Alain Pittet, Geneva Convention Bureau, Sarah Markey-Hamm, IAPCO, Martin Boyle