IAPCO enters into second destination partnership in Asia

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) have formed a destination partnership, 1 August. This is Japan’s first partnership of this nature, and IAPCO’s second destination partnership within Asia. For the next 18 months, JNTO will participate in IAPCO’s network and actively engage with prominent PCOs, providing them with information about Japan’s potential as a destination for international conferences. JNTO aims to make Japan the number one destination in Asia for international conferences by 2030. Satoshi Seino, president of JNTO, commented: “Japan can host truly original international conferences in every region of our country. This is an opportunity to provide IAPCO members with a deeper understanding of Japan’s potential. By using IAPCO’s network to raise Japan’s profile among congress organisers worldwide, we aim to bring even more international conferences to Japan.” IAPCO retains a membership of approximately 140 PCOs. Japan is the seventh destination to form a partnership agreement with IAPCO, joining Hamburg, Melbourne, Toronto, Dubai, Hong Kong and Rwanda. Martin Boyle (pictured), IAPCO CEO, said: “IAPCO and JNTO have been collaborating for some time now through the development and delivery of IAPCO EDGE Seminars and regular Advisory Board Meetings. This new partnership between our organisations is a testament to the strength of conviction and commitment we both share for the further advancement of the meetings sector and of the skillset of meeting professionals in Japan.”