Istanbul Hosts IAPCO Council Meeting to Advance Global Congress Industry Collaboration

The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) Council will convene in Istanbul from 4–8 November 2025 for its final in-person meeting of the year.

Hosted by the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, the meeting is supported by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), the Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB), and the Hotel Association of Türkiye (TÜROB).

This important gathering will bring together global industry leaders and Türkiye’s key business events stakeholders to co-develop strategies shaping the future of the international meetings and congress sector. It will also shine a spotlight on Istanbul’s rising status as a world-class destination for large-scale international events.

The five-day programme will include high-level strategic discussions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and immersive experiences showcasing Istanbul’s outstanding business events infrastructure — from cutting-edge convention centres and expanding accommodation options to the exceptional global connectivity offered by Turkish Airlines and Istanbul Airport (İGA), one of the world’s largest aviation hubs.

Opening remarks were delivered by Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO, which was followed by an Advisory Board Meeting with participation from local hosts addressing global trends transforming the meetings industry.

Lignou said: “Istanbul represents the perfect harmony between heritage and innovation. The city’s energy, connectivity, and creativity continue to position it among the most dynamic congress destinations in the world.”
 

The Istanbul Council Meeting also serves as a platform for IAPCO to review its 2025 achievements and define strategic priorities for 2026, including the next phase of its Education and Accreditation initiatives, global EDGE Seminars, and sustainability-focused destination partnerships.

Sinan Seha Türkseven, General Manager of TGA, said hosting the IAPCO Council in Istanbul offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate Türkiye’s leadership and capacity in the global meetings industry.

“We believe that collaboration with IAPCO and its international network will further elevate the global competitiveness of Istanbul and Türkiye in the meetings industry.

“Through the combined efforts of TGA, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, IMM, ICVB, and TÜROB, this event reflects Türkiye’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation, innovation, and sustainability in the business events sector,” said Türkseven.

For more information and to find accredited IAPCO PCOs, visit the website 

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