GETTING TO KNOW – IAPCO
OUR INDUSTRY RECOVERY IS DEPENDENT ON THE ABILITY TO TRAVEL In 2020, the world of travel came to a dramatic halt. Empty
In May 2020, IAPCO formed the National PCO Associations
airports, deserted roads and grounded airplanes were the
Task Force with 9 (now 14) associations sharing and
story of the year and the beginning of 2021. Now, as COVID
collaborating to advocate for PCOs around the globe.
vaccines become more readily available around the world,
To date, the Task Force has created the PCO Perspective
countries are making moves toward reopening and U.S.
Guide to Advocacy with JMIC, produced and shared
domestic and European airlines are seeing a dramatic
key messages regarding the re-igniting of economies
increase in summer ticket sales.
through the re-opening of business events.
During the last couple of months, airports and airlines have
Thanks to their work, we were able to deliver this week
introduced many new health and safety measures to ensure
a high-level Forum, asking 5 Tourism and Development
that passengers feel safe. And yet, people are concerned
Ministers to share their perspectives on post-pandemic
about the logistics of flying, having to take PCR tests maybe
recovery and the importance that our industry will play.
before and after each flight and having to complete detailed paperwork that may be different from country to country.
The IAPCO Ambassadors have recently delivered a number of critical publications that support both clients and our industry.
Our industry recovery is dependent on the ability to travel.
The Association Bid Guidelines for Virtual and Hybrid
Thus, we need to make sure airlines and airports ease the
Meetings was published in May 2021 alongside Best Cities
process for our delegates.
Global Alliance board members and updates on the series of 5 white papers addressing new RFP considerations,
We have seen a few initiatives like the ‘IATA Travel pass’,
recommendations for Bid Leaders and how to choose
or the ‘EU COVID Digital Certificate’, but this is not enough.
the right PCO will be released this summer.
Governments and International organisations must work together to reach global policies to ease the experience.
This semester, IAPCO’s Educational Faculty has delivered
IAPCO will engage, encourage, and support any initiative
a record number of educational programmes to meeting
in this direction.
professionals from over 60 countries. The 2nd half of 2021 looks just as busy with seminars planned for Thailand and
This was exactly the focus of our recent IAPCO Impact
Malaysia as well as IAPCO Virtual EDGE Seminars in LATAM
Dialogue “The future of Travel” with a panel of leaders
(9th-12th August) and APAC (11-14th October) and the
within the traveling industry, or our recent Forum, where
IAPCO Impact Dialogues that are broadcast monthly.
I had the privilege to ask 5 Tourism ministers about their plans for the MICE industry recovery. These interviews
It’s the coming together of people and organisations that
have been a source of hope.
share similar philosophies and commitments that make all of this possible.
On a personal note, just a few days ago, I booked my first travel since the start of the pandemic. I was as excited as
Ori intimated in his President’s Message that we will continue
a little boy traveling for the first time and I cannot wait to
to advocate for and are optimistic that international travel
do so.
returns. Whilst doing so, IAPCO will also continue to commit to delivering education and supportive initiatives through
As always, staying optimistic about our industry future.
collaborations and partnerships with people and groups that match our long-term objectives. Even more exciting
Ori Lahav, President 2020-2023
4
| July 2021
times lie ahead… Martin Boyle, CEO
