Greek PCO Sissi Lygnou Elected to IAPCO Council

Sissi Lygnou, CEO of AFEA Travel and Congress Services, was elected as a new member of the IAPCO Council at the recent General Assembly that took place virtually this year.

IAPCO is the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers and represents professional organisers and managers of international and national congresses, conventions and special events.

The first Greek PCO to be elected to IAPCO’s Council, Lygnou’s election is considered a big success for Greece as it is expected to contribute to the restart and improvement of the country’s congress industry.

“I believe that it is very important that Greece has acquired a position in the highest body of professional conference organizers internationally,” AFEA’s CEO said.

According to Lygnou, serving as a member of the IAPCO Council will bring important knowledge for the improvement of the congress industry in Greece, while the professionalism and the ability of Greek conference organizers and tourism professionals in the international congress market will be highlighted, as well as the industry’s readiness to respond to an international crisis.

Since 2009, Lygnou has represented AFEA in the international association and has participated in many IAPCO committees and working groups, representing the international body as a speaker and trainer. Counting more than 20 years in the meetings industry, Lygnou also serves on the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers (HAPCO) as Secretary General.

Photo source: HAPCO

“Through my many years of activity in working groups of IAPCO, among other things, I had the opportunity to highlight the dynamics of the Greek conference and events industry and the spirit of cooperation our professionals are known for, even in the midst of a global crisis,” she said.

“I am honored to be a part of this international body and will try to contribute in the best possible way to the efforts of IAPCO,” Lygnou added.

IAPCO has more than 52 years of history representing today 138 companies comprised of over 10,273 professional conference organizers, meeting planners and managers of international and national congresses, conventions and special events from 40 countries. The association is committed to raising standards of service among its members and other sectors of the meetings industry by means of continuing education and interaction with other professionals.