Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, and owner of the Meet in Ireland brand, has partnered with the prestigious International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO). IAPCO is a global not-for-profit organisation representing accredited business and professional events organisation companies around the world.
The two-year partnership will serve as an opportunity to strengthen bonds with the global community of Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs) and further showcase Ireland as a top destination for international conferences, with a focus on sustainability and social responsibility.
Speaking about the partnership, Sarah Markey-Hamm, President of IAPCO, said, “We are delighted to have Fáilte Ireland [and its business events brand Meet in Ireland] as a new IAPCO Destination Partner. IAPCO’s global membership and community reach provides destinations with access to those that are at the sharp end of both destination and venue selection and congress delivery. Destinations that understand the strategic long-term social and economic value that can be achieved when working collaboratively with PCOs and their clients remain at the centre of our Destination Partnership programme and Fáilte Ireland exemplifies this commitment.
Paul Mockler, Head of Commercial Development at Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, said, “We are looking forward to collaborating with IAPCO and see this partnership as an important milestone and platform to share the strides that Ireland’s business events industry is making in the area of sustainability and in working towards net-zero carbon events.
As part of the partnership, Fáilte Ireland is sponsoring a series of IAPCO’s UNSDG Spotlight features, which will be focused on Ireland’s plans to support our client needs around Sustainable Development Goals including climate action, equity and inclusion, and ensuring that business events hosted in Ireland have a positive and lasting impact on our residents, communities and society as a whole.”
Ireland now proudly stands as the ninth destination to forge a Destination Partnership agreement with IAPCO, joining the ranks of Hamburg, Melbourne, Toronto, Dubai, Hong Kong, Rwanda, Athens and Japan.
This exciting partnership further solidifies Ireland's position as a global hub for conferences and events, attracting professionals and businesses from all corners of the world, and emphasises our commitment to creating a positive and enduring legacy for both our visitors and the local communities.