In 2025, IAPCO Accredited PCOs organised 23,512 meetings and events worldwide, up 20.77% from 2024. Across 187 office locations, they managed 7,718,808 participants and generated an economic impact of €17.36 billion.
These figures reflect far more than activity alone. They show the enduring value of professionally organised meetings in driving knowledge exchange, supporting economic growth, advancing sectors, and connecting communities around the world.
The survey also points to a market that is changing shape. While the number of meetings delivered has increased, the average size of events has reduced. Participant numbers per event have fallen from 408 to 328, while 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.
The forward pipeline also remains encouraging. From 2027 to 2029, members already have 6,841 confirmed and pending events. Further, a significant proportion of confirmed future business still lacks a venue or destination, creating valuable opportunities for destinations, convention bureaux, venues, and strategic partners to engage early and influence outcomes.
IAPCO President, Sissi Lignou, added: “One of the most important signals in this year’s data is that the future pipeline remains strong. There is a 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, which officially launched today, highlights these opportunities.”
“It is a timely reminder that this sector continues to plan ahead and realise value, even against a backdrop of ongoing complexity.”
Alongside the survey findings, the report also features case studies that bring the numbers to life. Spanning healthcare, science, education, accessibility, advocacy and global policy, they demonstrate the breadth and depth of the IAPCO community’s work across regions and sectors.
“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,” Boyle added.
“Every year, across every region, IAPCO members deliver work of extraordinary range and value. They are connecting experts, advancing research, supporting communities, strengthening destinations and continuing to raise the standard of professional conference organising worldwide.”
On Global Meetings Industry Day 2026, the report stands as both a celebration of what the IAPCO community already delivers and a clear statement of intent for the future.
“IAPCO Accredited PCOs remain the global benchmark for quality, trust and excellence in conference delivery,” Boyle said. “This report reinforces not only what our community achieves at scale, but why that work matters.”
Find out more about IAPCO here.
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