IAPCO and PCMA sign strategic MOU focused on education, research and emerging leaders

Sherrif Karamat and SIssi Lignou signing the MOU.

Whatever Media Group

The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) and PCMA have formalised a strategic collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at PCMA Convening Leaders 2026, last week in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The agreement strengthens cooperation across thought leadership, professional education, research, and emerging leader engagement within the global business events industry.

The two-year MOU establishes a structured framework for collaboration between the two global organisations, aligned by a shared commitment to advancing professionalism, insight gathering and long-term capability across the international meetings and events sector.

Under the agreement, IAPCO and PCMA will work together on a defined programme of reciprocal and joint initiatives, including:

• Thought leadership exchange, with senior leaders from both organisations contributing to CEO-level panels and sessions at flagship events, including IAPCO’s Annual Meeting & General Assembly and PCMA’s Convening Leaders
• Reciprocal education access, providing members of both organisations with a 20% discount on online educational content and learning resources
• Joint research initiatives, with one collaborative research project delivered annually, focused on Next Generation talent or government policy impacting the business events industry
• Emerging leaders and student engagement, through one joint initiative per year targeting university programmes or student associations, incorporating education access, awareness campaigns or live sessions

Shared educational delivery, including at least one joint session annually at a major international industry trade show

Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO, said the agreement reflects a deliberate focus on collaboration that delivers practical value for members.

“This partnership reflects IAPCO’s commitment to meaningful collaboration that advances the professionalism and global impact of the business events industry across our communities.

“By partnering with PCMA on shared thought leadership, education access, research and Emerging Leaders engagement, we are creating tangible value for our members whilst jointly shaping the future of our industry.

“This collaboration brings together two global communities with a common purpose: to elevate standards, amplify insight, and invest in the next generation of industry leaders, and we are thrilled to further develop our long-term collaboration with PCMA in this way.”

Sheriff Karamat, CAE, President & CEO, PCMA and CEMA, said this partnership is yet another vehicle to deliver value to the global business events community.

“Through this multi-year framework, IAPCO and PCMA are strengthening global connectivity, advancing leadership at every career stage, and contributing informed insight to the evolving international business events landscape.”

For more travel inspiration read the daily online "The Holiday and Travel Magazine" https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com