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The data also points to a market that is changing shape. While the number of meetings delivered continues to rise, the average event size has decreased. Participant numbers per event declined from 408 to 328, and average economic impact per event has also declined. At the same time, members are delivering more with leaner permanent teams, with meetings per staff member increasing from 2.02 to 2.89.“On Global Meetings Industry Day, this report gives us an important opportunity to recognize the extraordinary work of IAPCO-Accredited PCOs across the world. The scale of what they deliver is significant, but what matters most is the impact behind those numbers. These meetings create opportunity for sectors to advance, for communities to connect, and for destinations to benefit professionally, socially and economically.”
The forward pipeline remains encouraging. Between 2027 and 2029, members already have 6,841 confirmed and pending events. Notably, a significant share of confirmed future business does not yet have a venue or destination assigned, creating early-stage opportunities for destinations, convention bureaus, venues and strategic partners to engage and shape outcomes.“What we’re seeing is not a weaker market, but a more adaptive one. Our members are delivering more meetings, often with smaller formats and leaner teams, while maintaining the quality, professionalism and trust that IAPCO Accreditation represents. That speaks to the resilience of our community and its ability to respond to change without losing sight of excellence.”
Alongside survey data, the report features case studies spanning healthcare, science, education, accessibility, advocacy and global policy. Together they demonstrate the breadth and depth of IAPCO members’ work across regions and sectors.IAPCO President, Sissi Lignou, added: “One of the most important signals in this year’s data is that the future pipeline remains strong. There’s real opportunity ahead for our industry, particularly for destinations and policymakers who want to unlock opportunity for their cities. The IAPCO Dear Destinations and Policymakers campaign, launched today, highlights these opportunities. It is a timely reminder that this sector continues to plan ahead and realize value, even against a backdrop of ongoing complexity.”
“From Liverpool to Ljubljana, Cape Town to Sydney, Florence to Dublin, our case studies show how IAPCO members deliver far more than well-run meetings. They create platforms for progress, engines for economic impact and legacies that extend far beyond the closing session. The case studies in this report are impressive, but they are only the tip of the iceberg,” Martin Boyle added.
The report stands as both a celebration of what the IAPCO community already delivers and a clear statement of intent for the future.“Every year, across every region, IAPCO members deliver work of extraordinary range and value. They’re connecting experts, advancing research, supporting communities, strengthening destinations and continuing to raise the standard of professional conference organizing worldwide.”
Read and download the report here:“IAPCO-Accredited PCOs remain the global benchmark for quality, trust and excellence in conference delivery,” Martin Boye said. “This report reinforces not only what our community achieves at scale, but why that work matters.”
