A new handbook aims to help professional congress organisers (PCOs) turn sustainability commitments into practical action, offering guidance on reducing environmental impacts and improving social outcomes across business operations and events.
Launched by the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), the Sustainability Handbook was developed by its Sustainability Committee, with support from Business Events Australia (BEA) and the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD).
The resource provides frameworks and examples to help PCOs integrate sustainability into their organisations, supply chains, partnerships and event planning processes, with an emphasis on achievable actions, measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.
Ajay Bhojwani, chair of the IAPCO Sustainability Committee, said the aim was to provide a practical resource rather than another document outlining the importance of sustainability.
“IAPCO members already understand the importance of the issue; the challenge is often knowing where to begin, what questions to ask and how to translate good intentions into practical actions,” he said.
Bhojwani added that the handbook drew on knowledge and experience from across IAPCO’s global community and was intended to evolve as industry understanding develops.
The launch forms part of IAPCO’s wider sustainability strategy, which includes measuring and monitoring the association’s carbon footprint, aligning future activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and supporting the JMIC Net Zero Carbon Events initiative.
Robin Mack, managing director of Tourism Australia, said the handbook responded to growing global demand for meetings and congresses with a positive, sustainable impact.
“Tourism Australia recognises the growing demand globally for meetings and congresses that have a positive, sustainable impact,” Mack said. He added that the resource aligned with the organisation’s approach to responsible business events that create a lasting legacy for people and communities.
Business Events Australia’s involvement also includes support for the IAPCO Sustainability Award, which recognises sustainability initiatives within the association’s membership. The award and handbook are intended to encourage practical action and the exchange of knowledge and best practice.
Sissi Lignou, president of IAPCO, said PCOs could influence decisions throughout the event planning process and help clients achieve positive environmental, social and economic outcomes.
“Our ambition is not perfection overnight, but sustained and measurable progress achieved collectively across our global community,” Lignou said.
Dr Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of GORD, said events had an environmental footprint that the industry had a responsibility to address.
Drawing on GORD’s expertise in sustainability and carbon management, he said the handbook offered a foundation for measuring environmental impacts, reducing emissions and making informed decisions throughout the event lifecycle.
The initiative reflects IAPCO’s broader objective of raising professional standards across the global meetings and events industry by providing members with tools, education and knowledge to support more sustainable event delivery.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
