IAPCO launches sustainability handbook to help PCOs turn ambition into action
Practical resource supports IAPCO-accredited professional congress organizers (PCOs) in embedding sustainability across their businesses and the events they deliver
The International Association of Professional Congress Organizers (IAPCO) has launched its new Sustainability Handbook, a resource designed to help PCOs turn sustainability ambitions into meaningful, achievable action.
Developed by the IAPCO Sustainability Committee with support from Business Events Australia and the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), the Handbook provides IAPCO members with guidance, frameworks and examples to help improve sustainability across two interconnected areas: how they operate their businesses and the meetings and events they deliver on behalf of clients.
The launch reflects IAPCO's commitment to supporting its global community as sustainability becomes an increasingly important part of the PCO's role.
Rather than treating sustainability as a standalone initiative, the Handbook encourages PCOs to embed environmental and social considerations throughout their organizations, supply chains, partnerships and event planning processes.
It also recognizes that organizations are at different stages of their sustainability journeys and that progress depends on realistic actions, measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.
Ajay Bhojwani, Chair of the IAPCO Sustainability Committee, said the Committee wanted the Handbook to be a genuinely useful resource for PCOs rather than simply another document explaining why sustainability matters.
"IAPCO members already understand the importance of the issue; the challenge is often knowing where to begin, what questions to ask, and how to translate good intentions into practical action.
We deliberately approached the development of the Handbook with a blank-slate mindset, drawing on the knowledge and experience of colleagues from across our global community. The result is a resource that can support members wherever they are on their sustainability journey and that we hope will continue to evolve as our collective knowledge and experience grows," said Ajay.
The Handbook forms part of a broader sustainability strategy being developed by IAPCO. This includes continuing to measure and monitor the association's carbon footprint, aligning future activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and supporting the JMIC Net Zero Carbon Events initiative.
Central to the strategy is the recognition that progress must take place on two levels: supporting and showcasing sustainability initiatives being undertaken by IAPCO members around the world while also ensuring that IAPCO continues to improve its own organizational practices.
Robin Mack, Managing Director of Tourism Australia, said: "Tourism Australia recognizes the growing global demand for meetings and congresses that have a positive and responsible impact. We are proud to support the development of IAPCO's Sustainability Handbook, which provides practical, real-world tools to support the delivery of more sustainable events.
This approach aligns closely with Tourism Australia's strategy for supporting responsible business events that create a lasting legacy for people and communities across Australia and beyond."
The collaboration with Business Events Australia also includes support for the IAPCO Sustainability Award, which recognizes and celebrates outstanding approaches to sustainability within the IAPCO community. Together, the Award and the Handbook are intended to encourage practical action and the sharing of ideas and best practices among members.
Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO, said sustainability is increasingly fundamental to delivering high-quality congresses and business events, "As PCOs, we have the opportunity to influence decisions at every stage of the process and help our clients create events that deliver exceptional experiences as well as positive environmental, social, and economic outcomes.
This Handbook is about empowering our members to make that influence count. It reflects IAPCO's commitment to providing our community with practical tools, education and knowledge that help them lead change. Our ambition is not perfection overnight but sustained, measurable progress achieved collectively across our global community."
Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, added: "Events play an important role in connecting people, exchanging knowledge and driving progress. Yet every event also carries an environmental footprint that we have a responsibility to address.
Drawing on GORD's expertise in sustainability and carbon management, this Handbook provides a practical foundation for measuring environmental impacts, reducing emissions, and making more informed decisions throughout the event lifecycle. Through our collaboration with IAPCO, we hope to help advance an events industry where sustainability is embedded in how we plan, operate and create lasting value."
The launch of the Sustainability Handbook reinforces IAPCO's broader mission to raise professional standards across the global meetings and events industry and provide members with the knowledge, education, tools and connections they need to deliver exceptional events and create lasting positive impact.
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