Jan Tonkin, managing director of Auckland-based agency, The Conference Company, has taken up (1 April) the presidency of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO).
Tonkin was elected at the association’s annual general assembly in Cape Town, South Africa, in February, and has taken over from outgoing president Michel Neijmann for a two-year term.
Headquartered in the UK, IAPCO is an industry body aiming to promote education, development and quality standards in the meetings industry.
The new council will meet in Edinburgh, Scotland in mid-April to review the association’s strategic plan.
“Our business is undergoing a period of intense change, as new technologies bring about the commodification of traditional services and the diversification of meeting formats. IAPCO’s role is to help manage and lead that change. We do that by bringing together the best insights, ideas and strategy, passing them on to practitioners, and in turn, their clients,” says Tonkin
Along with a new president, the council welcomes three new elected members, and a fourth co-opted as host of next year’s annual meeting and general assembly.
The three new council members, Jean Evans, MCI Dublin; Alain Pittet, Congrex Switzerland, and Keith Burton, African Agenda, join the existing council members. Medhat Nassar of Meeting Minds Experts, Dubai, was co-opted as the host of the 2017 Meeting in Dubai.
“It’s a privilege to lead a council with such a range of geographical perspectives, united by a shared love of our business,” says Tonkin.
“The seniority of the group and the diversity of their skillset is a great base for the council’s variety of specialist portfolios. IAPCO members can be confident that their association’s mission is in good hands.”
