On Global Meetings Industry Day 2026, industry association for international conference organisers IAPCO shares the results of its 2025 Annual Member Survey, which shows that its accredited PCOs organised over 20% more meetings in 2025 than in 2024. The association says the full survey results reveal the scale, strength and strategic value of its global community which organised 23,512 meetings and events worldwide last year. Across 187 office locations, these PCOs managed 7,718,808 participants and generated an economic impact of €17.36bn, IAPCO reports.
The figures reflect far more than activity alone. They show the enduring value of professionally organised meetings to drive knowledge exchange, support economic growth, advance sectors and connect communities around the world, says Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO, who notes the results demonstrate both the strength of the profession and its ability to evolve.
“On Global Meetings Industry Day, this report gives us an important opportunity to recognise 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 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.
For Boyle, that signals a profession that is becoming more agile, efficient and responsive in a complex environment.
“What we are 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.”
The forward pipeline also remains encouraging. From 2027 to 2029, IAPCO members report 6,841 confirmed and pending events. Further, a significant proportion of confirmed future business still has no venue or destination attached, creating valuable opportunities for destinations, convention bureaux, venues and strategic partners to engage early and influence outcomes.
IAPCO president, Sissi Lignou, adds: “One of the most important signals in this year’s data is that the future pipeline remains strong. There is 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 (6 May), 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.
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.”
Read and download the report here: https://www.iapco.org/advocacy/initiatives/annual-member-survey.html
Find out how IAPCO members connect destinations to global opportunities: https://www.iapco.org/advocacy/dear-destinations-of-the-world.html
