According to the survey, IAPCO Accredited PCOs organised 23,512 meetings and events globally during 2025, representing a 20.77% increase compared to 2024.
Across 187 office locations worldwide, members managed 7,718,808 participants and generated an estimated economic impact of 17.36 billion euros.
The organisation stated that the figures demonstrate the continuing role of professionally organised meetings in supporting knowledge exchange, economic activity and international collaboration across sectors and destinations.
Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO
Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO, said: “On Global Meetings Industry Day, this report gives us an important opportunity to recognise the extraordinary work of IAPCO Accredited PCOs across the world. The scale of what they deliver is significant, but what matters most is the impact behind those numbers. These meetings create opportunity for sectors to advance, for communities to connect, and for destinations to benefit professionally, socially and economically.”
The survey also identified changes in the structure of the meetings market. While the number of events increased, the average size of meetings declined.
Average participant numbers per event decreased from 408 to 328, while average economic impact per meeting also declined. At the same time, the number of meetings managed per staff member increased from 2.02 to 2.89, reflecting operational adjustments within the sector.
Martin Boyle added: “What we are seeing is not a weaker market, but a more adaptive one. Our members are delivering more meetings, often with smaller formats and leaner teams, while maintaining the quality, professionalism and trust that IAPCO Accreditation represents. That speaks to the resilience of our community and its ability to respond to change without losing sight of excellence.”
The report also highlighted a strong future pipeline, with 6,841 confirmed and pending events already scheduled between 2027 and 2029.
According to IAPCO, a significant number of future events have not yet confirmed host venues or destinations, creating opportunities for convention bureaux, destinations and venues to secure future business.
Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO, said: “One of the most important signals in this year’s data is that the future pipeline remains strong. There is real opportunity ahead for our industry, particularly for destinations and policymakers who want to unlock opportunity for their cities. The IAPCO Dear Destinations and Policymakers campaign, which officially launched today, highlights these opportunities.”
Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO
“It is a timely reminder that this sector continues to plan ahead and realise value, even against a backdrop of ongoing complexity.”
The report also included case studies covering healthcare, science, education, accessibility, advocacy and policy sectors, demonstrating the range of projects delivered by IAPCO members globally.
Martin Boyle said: “From Liverpool to Ljubljana, Cape Town to Sydney, Florence to Dublin, our case studies show how IAPCO members deliver far more than well-run meetings. They create platforms for progress, engines for economic impact and legacies that extend far beyond the closing session.”
“The case studies in this report are impressive, but they are only the tip of the iceberg. Every year, across every region, IAPCO members deliver work of extraordinary range and value. They are connecting experts, advancing research, supporting communities, strengthening destinations and continuing to raise the standard of professional conference organising worldwide.”
Concluding the report, Martin Boyle stated: “IAPCO Accredited PCOs remain the global benchmark for quality, trust and excellence in conference delivery. This report reinforces not only what our community achieves at scale, but why that work matters.”
Tags: survey Martin Boyle IAPCO
