Sissi Lygnou to Lead Congress Industry Body IAPCO as President in 2025

Sissi Lygnou, CEO of AFEA Congress and President of HAPCO & DES.

Sissi Lygnou, CEO of AFEA Congress, was announced as the President-Elect of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), a leading professional organisation dedicated to raising standards in the international congress industry.

The announcement came at the conclusion of IAPCO’s 2024 Annual Meeting and General Assembly (AM&GA) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, which included the election of new Council Officers and the President-Elect.

Lygnou will complete a one-year tenure as president-elect and then succeed current President Sarah Markey-Hamm at the 2025 AM&GA in Taipei, Taiwan. She will lead IAPCO for a two-year term (2025-2027).

This is the first time in IAPCO’s history that a Greek professional assumes the presidency of the international association.

IAPCO President Sarah Markey-Hamm announcing Sissi Lygnou as the association’s President-Elect for 2024.

“I am honoured to be elected as President-Elect and look forward to working alongside the President and new Council Officers and the entire IAPCO team,” Lygnou said.

A professional renowned in the Greek congress industry, Lygnou has served on the IAPCO Council since 2021 and was re-elected at the 2023 AM&GA in Jerusalem. She currently chairs the IAPCO Advocacy and Publications Committee.

“Together, we will strive to further elevate the professional standards of the PCO industry and advocate for the vital role of PCOs in the global business events landscape,” she added.

In Greece, Lygnou is the president of the Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers & Destinations Events Specialists (HAPCO & DES).

New Council

IAPCO’s new Council.

Along with a new president, IAPCO welcomed new elected members. The association’s new Council is the following:

IAPCO President
Sarah Markey-Hamm, CEO ICMS, Australia

President – Elect
Sissi Lygnou, CEO AFEA Congress, Greece

Treasurer
Jason Yeh, CEO GIS Group, Taiwan

IAPCO Council
Nicola Testai (CEO OIC Group, Italy), Ajay Bhojwani (Regional Managing Director-MEA, MCI Group-UAE), Limor Cunia (Vice President, Clients & Operations, Kenes Group), Ellen Franck (Partner, Meetagain Konferens AB, Sweden), Stephen Nobl (Chair of the IAPCO Training Academy, Manager-APAC), The Conference Company), Jimena Ruiz (Chief of Staff, BTC Americas, Mexico)

“We are thrilled to welcome the new Council Officers and President-Elect to their respective positions,” said IAPCO President Sarah Markey-Hamm.

“Their extensive experience, diverse perspectives and dedication will be invaluable assets as we navigate the evolving landscape of the business events industry and help propel IAPCO forward in its mission to shape the future of the international meetings and events industry.”

Founded in 1968, IAPCO today represents 91 member companies with their 180 registered PCO offices in 45 countries.