Athens Welcomes IAPCO 2026: A Global Hub for Conference Tourism
Athens, February 24, 2026 – The global conference industry elite will converge in Athens this week as the city prepares to host the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) 2026 international conference. From February 25 to 28, more than 150 leading figures in the sector will gather, signaling a vote of confidence in Greece’s systematic development and investment in conference tourism. This sector significantly boosts local economies, with conference tourists spending 5-7 times more than the average traveler.
The decision to award the IAPCO conference to Athens is a testament to the recognized professionalism and capability of Greek organizers to host such a high-caliber event. It underscores the international conference market’s trust in Greece’s ability to deliver a premier industry event, excelling in experience, infrastructure, and stakeholder collaboration, as stated by IAPCO President Sissy Lignou in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
“The Odyssey Reinvented”: Navigating Industry Challenges
IAPCO represents the “Elite of the Elite” among professional congress organizers worldwide, setting quality standards and certifying top players in the global conference industry. The conference theme, “The Odyssey Reinvented,” draws a parallel between Greek mythology and the challenges faced by the sector, which has endured a true odyssey in recent years. This journey includes the pandemic, geopolitical upheavals, economic uncertainty, rapid technological advancements, and increasing demands for sustainability. It’s a voyage filled with many “Sirens” that the industry must navigate.
“We chose this theme to highlight the importance not only of the final destination in our journey towards a goal but also the great importance of the journey itself, and the ‘experience’ that organizing conferences and events can create for every visitor or participant. We present the ‘journey’ as an opportunity, beyond the challenges,” noted Ms. Lignou.
The “Sirens” that the industry must avoid, she explained, include global uncertainty and political instability, geopolitical turmoil, the rapid development and entrenchment of technology and artificial intelligence (which organizers are already leveraging strategically), the need to integrate sustainable development into strategies, the rapid increase in prices leading to reduced competitiveness, and the training and staffing of experienced professionals. Ms. Lignou also emphasized national-level challenges, such as the need for infrastructure capable of hosting large international conferences (requiring a national metropolitan conference and exhibition center for over 5,000 delegates/exhibitors in parallel rooms and corresponding exhibition spaces), an innovative plan to promote Greece as a MICE and events destination, and a unified national strategy for pricing policies.
The Ithaca of the International Conference Industry
The “Ithaca” of the international conference industry (The Meetings Industry or Business Events internationally) is a resilient, innovative, and responsible sector. It’s an industry where technology is utilized to improve strategy, enhance participation, offer personalized experiences, and document the impact of events. This sector can serve as a key pillar of development, attracting high-income and high-level visitors.
“Our true Ithaca, however, is not just technological or environmental. It is human. Conferences exist to unite scientists, policymakers, business executives, researchers, academics, professionals, and communities. In an era of fragmentation, our role is to create spaces for dialogue, trust, and collaboration, and in doing so, contribute to the transmission of important knowledge, the advancement of science, the improvement of public health, the enhancement of innovation, and ultimately, social and economic development. This is the world of meetings,” stated the IAPCO President.
Greece as a Model of Innovation
As the first Greek president of the international organization, Ms. Lignou believes that Greece possesses a deep tradition of hospitality, strong scientific capital, a dynamic academic community, and highly adaptable professionals.
“Our scientists are recognized in international organizations, which are turning their attention to our country for the organization of their national conferences and events. Greek entrepreneurs excel abroad, which serves as an attraction for corporate meetings. In recent years, Greek PCOs have demonstrated their ability to operate with international quality standards, integrate sustainable practices, and effectively utilize technology,” she pointed out, emphasizing that “Greece can influence global trends not only as an attractive destination but as a ‘laboratory’ of innovation in conference and event design. The authenticity of our country can re-emphasize the importance of the human element and meaningful interaction in a world dominated by technology.”
Economic Impact and Sustainability
IAPCO represents over 95 companies, employing more than 23,000 executives in 185 countries. The economic footprint recorded by its members for the year 2025 exceeds 16.8 billion euros.
At this year’s event in Athens, sustainability has been integrated into the core of the design, not as a parallel activity, always based on IAPCO’s sustainable development strategy. Furthermore, as Ms. Lignou noted, emphasis is placed on the “legacy” of the event-the lasting impact of knowledge, collaborations, and best practices that will remain after the conference concludes.
“IAPCO, moreover, has placed sustainability at the core of its strategy. Through guidelines, training programs, and measurement tools, it encourages its members to adopt structured, measurable practices and align with international ESG standards. In this context, the IAPCO Sustainability Award annually recognizes organizations and professionals who implement innovative, applicable, and measurable sustainability actions in the conference sector,” she stated.
She also mentioned that the Board of Directors of the International Organization will meet three days before the start of the conference, hosted by the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau in Thessaloniki, emphasizing that the “Greece” brand as a leading destination for conferences and events will be highlighted and significantly promoted in the coming period.
The conference is organized by the four IAPCO certified members in Greece: AFEA Congress, Convin, Era & Erasmus, and is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), This is Athens Convention Bureau, and leading organizations and companies across the entire conference organization ecosystem.
Source: Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA)
