The IAPCO Training Academy has a new Chair following the IAPCO General Assembly in Quebec in February, with Susanne Kostka, Managing Director of AIM Group International Vienna Office, and formerly Vice-President of AIMS International before the merger, stepping down after six years in the role. “Over this time, Susanne has continually strived to ensure that the IAPCO Annual Wolfsberg Seminar remains at the forefront of education for PCOs and the meetings industry as a whole. This is part of IAPCO’s role. She also leaves the Meetings Masterclass as her legacy, a new educational initiative launched in 2011 in that looks set to become a permanent fixture in the educational calendar”, says Philippe Fournier, IAPCO President, Managing Director of MCI France, at the closing of IAPCO General Assembly. “I would like to thank Susanne warmly”, he continues, “and sincerely acknowledge her immense contribution to IAPCO both within Council and specifically the Training Academy”.
André Vietor, former President of IAPCO and Managing Director of Viajes Iberia Congresos in Barcelona, is delighted to take up the post of Chair. “It will be hard to follow Susanne, for she has been a dedicated leader, but I hope to bring new elements to the Annual Seminar and of course to continue the work she began on the Meetings Masterclass,” he said. “I am looking forward to the challenge and to working closely with my colleagues to further enhance the educational programme of IAPCO.” Jan Tonkin, Managing Director of The Conference Company, New Zealand, in addition to her current role on Council as Chair of the Membership Committee, becomes Vice Chair of the Training Academy.
Susanne has been replaced on Council by Michel Neijmann, of K2 Events, by a unanimous vote. “Having previously been on Council, and being a part of the Training Academy,” Michel said, “I am delighted to be back where I can serve IAPCO best.” Roslyn McLeod (arinex pty, Australia) and Gonzalo Perez Constanzó (Kenes Latin America, Chile) were unanimously re-elected to retain their current roles on Council.
