Following a review of the collaboration and the opportunities created over its first term, IAPCO and IFES will further develop the relationship, with an increased focus on sharing content and know-how, sustainability, education and the development of the next generation of industry professionals.
The renewed cooperation will see the associations look for greater opportunities to contribute to each other’s annual set of programmes whilst providing greater impact and added value to their respective membership. It is agreed that sharing sustainability insights will be of immense value. IFES is able to bring expertise from across the exhibition and event services sector, including learnings around exhibition production and initiatives such as Better Stands, while IAPCO contributes the organiser and client perspective. Together, these insights can help build a stronger understanding of sustainability across the complete event delivery chain.
Professional development is another area of focus wherein IAPCO and IFES see opportunities to exchange experience around their respective next-generation and emerging leaders to identify good practice, opportunities to share speakers and expertise, and areas where future joint initiatives could add value.
Strengthening collective understanding
Finally, through intentional exchange of relevant market intelligence, industry trends and research, both communities will have access to perspectives from different parts of the events ecosystem thereby strengthening collective understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector.
Gregor Bischkopf, Executive Director of IFES, said: “Our partnership with IAPCO has already clearly demonstrated the value of connecting different parts of our industry and learning from one another. This next phase will give us the opportunity to make that exchange even more practical. Sustainability and talent development are challenges and opportunities that affect our entire industry. By sharing the experience, knowledge and perspectives within our respective communities, we can avoid working in silos and create greater value for both our members and the wider events sector.”
Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO, said: “Partnerships are most valuable when they continue to evolve. Our relationship with IFES gives our communities an opportunity to understand more clearly the priorities, expertise and challenges that exist across different stages of event delivery. By strengthening our exchange around education, sustainability, research and future talent, we can bring together complementary knowledge and create useful opportunities for professionals across both associations to learn from each other.”
The renewed partnership reflects a shared belief that many of the issues shaping the future of international events cannot be addressed by individual sectors in isolation. Organisers, service providers and other stakeholders all bring different expertise to the table, and closer collaboration creates opportunities to develop more informed, practical and connected approaches.
For IAPCO and IFES, the next phase of the partnership is therefore about building on an established relationship while turning shared knowledge into tangible value for their respective communities, and for the international events industry as a whole.
Tags: Gregor Bischkopf, IFES Martin Boyle, IAPCO
