For the fifth time IAPCO has revealed its members’ annual survey indicating a slow recovery of the economy worldwide. The 110 members gave their final numbers for 2010 showing an important increase in the number of international meetings which they have been commissioned to organise, whilst it is noted that national conferences are seen to be slightly diminishing.
“As you know”, says Philippe Fournier, IAPCO President, “we had a very good anticipated year for 2009, despite the economic downturn, because the association business does not follow the same timelines as those of the corporate one. Because of their structure, memberships and longterm events schedules, Associations do not react in the same way of delaying activities until times of recovering. And although the current figures show an increase in international business undertaken during 2010, it still remains less than before due to this same “time” reason. We had however an interesting year where we could see a re-boost of our international business in every sector”.
The various numbers from the survey, whilst indicating an increase in the number of meetings organised, reflect a drop in the number of participants attending each meeting. They also indicate a continuing decrease in surface of square meters used by exhibitors during healthcare meetings whilst the trend in other sectors is not the same. The overall budgets are slightly increasing but in a less proportion than before showing a real impact on the economic downturn and probably new trends in the meetings and exhibitions industry.
By driving Quality, IAPCO leads the trend!
Annual Survey 2006-2010
An annual survey of IAPCO members is undertaken to identify the position of IAPCO members in the meetings marketplace. The results of the survey show a steady increase in business and the major impact and contribution that IAPCO members make to the meetings industry.
IAPCO members organise in excess of 6100 meetings annually, representing some 2.24 million delegates and 0.54 million m2 exhibition space, representing an economic impact in the region of 3.638 billion euros, increasing year on year.
ABOUT IAPCO: Meeting Quality
The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) was founded in 1968, is registered in Switzerland and represents today more than 110 professional organisers, meeting planners and managers of international and national congresses, conventions and special events from 40 countries. IAPCO members organise in excess of 6100 meetings annually, totaling some 2.24 million delegates and representing an economic impact in the region of 3.638 billion euros.
IAPCO is committed to raising standards of service among its members and other sectors of the meetings industry. Today IAPCO membership offers a unique quality assurance, since entry into membership of IAPCO is by meeting strict criteria and by continuous quality assessment.
The high quality standards are secured by means of continuing education and interaction with other professionals. The ‘Wolfsberg’ seminar, The Meetings Masterclass and the Annual Meeting & General Assembly of its members are the highlight events of IAPCO.
