IAPCO announces new Destination Partnership with Meeting Destination Vienna

 

The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) is pleased to announce a new two-year Destination Partnership with Meeting Destination Vienna, represented by the Vienna Convention Bureau, commencing 1 January 2026.  This partnership welcomes Vienna into the IAPCO Destination Partner community, further strengthening a global network of leading convention bureaux that work strategically with IAPCO and its accredited Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs). The agreement reflects IAPCO’s core tenet that partnerships between destinations and professional conference organisations are a vital part of the successful delivery of professional meetings and events. Effective collaboration between PCOs and convention bureaux allows for aligned, city-wide approaches that result in stronger outcomes for clients, local communities, and international delegates.  As a Destination Partner, Vienna will work closely with IAPCO’s global community and contribute to several key initiatives. This includes joining the judging panel for the IAPCO Partner’s Emerging Leader Award, which recognises emerging industry talent. Vienna will also host an upcoming IAPCO Advisory Board Meeting – an opportunity to deepen engagement with local leaders and showcase the city’s world-class capabilities.  Vienna joins a cohort of internationally recognised destinations that collaborate with IAPCO to champion best practice, support knowledge exchange and elevate professional standards in conference organisation. The partnership also provides strategic access to IAPCO’s accredited PCOs, who deliver more than 21,000 meetings and conferences annually, and in 2024, generated an estimated €17.87 billion in economic impact.  Reflecting on the partnership, Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO, said: “We warmly welcome Vienna to the IAPCO Destination Partner community. Their professionalism, creativity and commitment to innovation make them a natural fit, and we look forward to the value this partnership will bring to our members and the wider industry.  “Our Destination Partners help ensure PCOs have direct access to senior decision-makers within leading cities. This partnership strengthens the connection between Vienna and our global membership, supporting our shared ambition to deliver exceptional meetings and events worldwide. We also know from other destinations, that when a convention bureau includes an IAPCO accredited PCO at the very early stages of bidding, the chance of winning that bid increases.”  Anita Paic, Director B2B Management and Vienna Convention Bureau at the Vienna Tourist Board, emphasised Vienna’s proven strengths as a meeting destination for organisers and their clients.  “Vienna is proud of its close ties with professional conference organisers worldwide. Working with IAPCO further underlines the city’s strong standing as a high-quality meeting destination. We look forward to sharing our story with the global leaders in professional conference organisation and to using this partnership as an important platform to highlight Vienna’s unique capabilities, amenities, culture and ambitions. Building on this year’s IAPCO Council Meeting as an initial milestone, we are excited to deepen and expand this cooperation. We look forward to creating tangible value for organisers and their clients and to shared success with IAPCO.”  Established in 2013, the IAPCO Destination Partnership Programme now includes 11 convention bureaux worldwide. Each partner contributes unique strengths that support IAPCO’s mission and the long-term advancement of the global meetings and business events industry. -ends- NOTES TO EDITORS: Interviews are available with Sissi Lignou, IAPCO Anita Paic, Vienna Convention Bureau Download images from this link: https://www.dropbox.com/t/9nabaf5qy4bzOGiZ  Images include: Group image taken at IBTM 2025 (from left to right): Martin Boyle, CEO, IAPCO Anita Paic, Director B2B Management & Vienna Convention Bureau, Vienna Tourist Board Sissi Lignou, President, IAPCO Marina Knittel, Team Manager Associations, Vienna Convention Bureau  If you would like to arrange an interview or receive images and / or thought leadership articles, please contact: Alexandra Harrison Account Executive, ZADRO alexandra@zadroagency.com.au   Felicity Zadro Managing Director, ZADRO felicity@zadroagency.com.au Helena Steinhart International Media Relations, Vienna Tourist Board helena.steinhart@vienna.info About IAPCO The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) is the only global accreditation body for Professional Conference and Congress Organisers (PCOs), representing the gold standard of excellence in the global meetings industry.   A not-for-profit, member-driven organisation, IAPCO exists to elevate professional standards in the planning and delivery of world-class conferences and meetings. IAPCO has 97 members, with over 10,000 meeting professionals, operating from over 187 offices across the globe.   In 2024, they delivered a combined 21,322 events with an economic impact of over €17.8 billion.   Members have undergone a rigorous peer-review process to be regarded as IAPCO Accredited and need to consistently demonstrate an unwavering commitment to quality, integrity, and innovation.   Underpinned by three strategic pillars – Community, Education, and Advocacy – IAPCO is the global voice of the PCO. Together, we champion the profession, inspire excellence, and unlock new possibilities in event delivery.   The key to quality. IAPCO: Unlocking Excellence.   Visit: www.iapco.org About MEETING DESTINATION VIENNA AND THE VIENNA CONVENTION BUREAU Vienna's meeting industry is represented by the "Meeting Destination Vienna". It is based on the service quality and expertise of the same and is communicated by the Vienna Convention Bureau (VCB), a department of the Vienna Tourist Board. VCB acquires congresses, corporate meetings, and incentives.   Founded in 1969, it is supported by the City of Vienna and the Vienna Chamber of Commerce. In 2024, Meeting Destination Vienna set records across the board with 6,619 congresses and corporate events and around 671,000 participants. Every ninth overnight stay in the city in 2024 was attributable to meetings, highlighting the central importance of congresses and corporate events for Vienna. They strengthen the business location and contribute to the added value locally.   Vienna as a meeting destination is therefore included in both the Visitor Economy Strategy of the Vienna Tourist Board, as well as in the strategy "Vienna 2030 - Economy & Innovation" of the Federal Capital Vienna. According to the latest available rankings from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA, #1) and the Union of International Associations (UIA, #2), Vienna is one of the world’s leading meeting destinations. The exceptional meeting infrastructure, the high service quality of the meeting service sector as well as the cultural attractiveness of the city are all factors that contribute to Vienna’s top position.   The Vienna Convention Bureau has no members but is itself a member in the leading umbrella organisations and associations for the national and international meeting industry: ACB, AMCI, ICCA, PCMA and UIA.   Visit: https://meeting.vienna.info/en About Sissi Lignou, President, IAPCO Sissi Lignou, CEO, AFEA Congress is President of IAPCO. Sissi is a highly experienced meetings and events professional with over 20 years in the industry. As CEO and President of the Board at AFEA Congress, one of Greece’s leading PCOs, she has driven excellence and innovation in event management. A committed industry advocate, Sissi has served on the IAPCO Council since 2021, was elected President-Elect in 2024, and assumed the role of IAPCO President in February 2025. About Anita Paic, Director B2B Management & Vienna Convention Bureau Anita Paic was appointed as Director of the Vienna Convention Bureau and Head of the B2B Management department at the Vienna Tourist Board in March 2024. With extensive experience in strategic marketing communication, Anita leads efforts in further strengthening Vienna’s successful positioning as leading travel and meeting destination. Prior to this role, the qualified tourism expert held several management positions in the industry including at Sacher Hotels, Marriott International, and Vereinigte Bühnen Wien – Vienna’s leading musical-theatre production company with international reach.

Tags: Meeting Destination Vienna,
 Vienna Convention Bureau  International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO)