Get to know the New IAPCO Council

As the meetings industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, IAPCO stands as a beacon of excellence, constantly pushing boundaries and setting new standards. At the heart of this transformation lies a dynamic team of visionary leaders, each bringing their unique perspectives, experiences and aspirations to the table.

Earlier this year, at our Annual Meeting and General Assembly in Ljubljana, the IAPCO Council welcomed a new wave of industry leaders, each bringing a unique blend of experience and vision to the table.

From the next-generation leaders redefining the industry's landscape to seasoned veterans whose wisdom and expertise have paved the way for countless success stories, each IAPCO Council member brings a distinct voice and unwavering commitment to excellence. Their stories are a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity and a shared vision for a more connected, sustainable and impactful meetings and events world.

In this section, we get an insight into these dynamic individuals about their committee roles with IAPCO, the inspirations that fuel their passion and the exciting opportunities they see on the horizon for the IAPCO community.

Let's meet the team shaping the future of IAPCO and professional congress organisers.

Sarah Markey-Hamm

CEO ICMS Pty Ltd, Australia | IAPCO President

Sarah commenced working for ICMS in 1993 but could say she has been a PCO in training since birth! ICMS became an IAPCO member in 2003, and ICMS hosted the Annual Meeting and General Assembly in 2014. This is her second tenure on the IAPCO Council, being elected in 2018 in Tokyo.

Before her two children's births, Sarah was an active member of Meetings Events Australia, becoming Chair of the Victoria Branch 1999–2001. She has also chaired the ICCA Australia Committee and served on the Business Events Council of Australia Board. This enabled her to focus on the business and her family until her children were older.

Sarah was born and bred in Melbourne and is a passionate Australian Rules fan supporting the Western Bulldogs. She is also a prolific baker spending weekends baking treats for her family.

As Sarah enters the final phase of her Presidency, she sees her role as a collaborator and conductor acting on behalf of members to ensure IAPCO is on a sustainable path, advocating for them globally — a great honour she doesn't take lightly.

Sarah views the business events sector's development as fluid, needing rapid response and leading change. However, growth won't happen unless the next generation of professionals is cultivated to be future leaders. The industry is on a precipice with current leadership retiring, taking hundreds of years of experience that needs seamless replacement, ensuring customers don't notice the change.

Sissi Lignou

President and CEO, AFEA Congress, Greece | President-Elect

Sissi has more than 20 years of experience in the Meetings Industry. Born in Athens, Greece, Sissi is the CEO and President of the Board of AFEA Congress, a long-standing PCO in Greece.

Her passion for the industry led her to the decision to voluntarily support it early on in her career. She has served on the Council of Greece’s National Association of PCOs (HAPCO & DES) since 2007, first as Secretary General and then as the elected President for a 3-year mandate (2022-2025).

Since AFEA became an IAPCO Member in 2009, Sissi has been actively involved in representing the Association, in various positions and committees as well as a Faculty Member and member of IAPCO’s Training Academy.

In 2021, Sissi was elected to the IAPCO Council for a 2-year mandate and reelected in February 2023 with her major project focusing on one of IAPCO’s key strategic priorities, Advocacy. In February 2024, Sissi was nominated and elected IAPCO President-Elect and will be taking over the role of the IAPCO President in 2025.

Sissi is the driving force behind the new IAPCO Advocacy Committee’s strategy which will drive increased engagement with associations, PCOs and influencers moving forward.

Sissi has been married to Jiannis since 2008 and together they have a beautiful 14-year-old daughter, Alexandra. Away from work, she follows her passion for dancing that she picked up as a child, nowadays practicing contemporary dance as well as Latin competitive dancing.

Ajay Bhojwani

Regional Managing Director (MEA) MCI Group (UAE), UAE

An Indian by origin, Ajay has called the Middle East home for over thirty years, dedicating nearly two decades to the dynamic world of meetings and events. Armed with a background in commerce and marketing, his journey began in research organisations, exploring economic trends and consumer behaviour before venturing into the oil and gas events sector at Informa PLC.

For the past sixteen years, Ajay has been instrumental in building and growing MCI's presence in the Middle East and Africa region. As Regional Managing Director, he oversees an operation of approximately 100 talents across five offices, delivering over 250 events annually across twenty countries. Beyond his professional pursuits, Ajay is an avid sports enthusiast with a passion for football and Formula 1, stemming from his days as a kart racer while at university.

Ajay's dedication to the industry extends beyond his full-time role at MCI. He currently serves as the president of The Events Group (TEG) and is an ambassador for The Iceberg, part of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC). His commitment to fostering excellence and professional development is also a driving force behind his association with IAPCO as a council member.

Looking ahead, in an era of rapid change, Ajay sees a growing demand for learning, collaboration and driving change – all core to IAPCO's mission. He believes strengthening existing strategic partnerships and embracing new ones will lead to more opportunities, innovative event formats and industry advocacy. Ajay is driven by the combination of creativity, impact, teamwork, and adaptability – all aimed at creating exceptional experiences and leaving a legacy.

Limor Cunia

Vice President (Clients and Operations) Kenes Group, Israel

Limor’s professional journey in the events industry began in 2006 at Kenes Group in Geneva as an Association Manager, transitioning to Senior Account Manager focusing on Client Management. In 2022, Limor was promoted to Vice President, Clients and Operations, and appointed to Kenes Group Management.

As a pivotal player in the events industry, Limor’s motivation comes from empowering knowledge by delivering successful events that satisfy clients and drive professional growth. The opportunity to make a positive impact through creativity and innovation fuels her passion.

As Chair of Compliance at IAPCO, Limor represents IAPCO’s members and their objectives in front of the industry compliance association, mainly IPCAA. Though compliance restrictions are toughening, Limor thinks there are opportunities to develop ethical policies like guidelines for healthcare professional interactions, financial disclosure, and conflict management –without compromising needed financial support.

From an educational point of view, Limor believes it’s essential to implement quality assurance processes, such as peer review of scientific content, accreditation of educational activities, and evaluation of attendee feedback.

In her new role, Limor will also promote professional development and training programmes so we can all address complex compliance needs in healthcare. These may cover topics like regulatory compliance, ethics, risk management, and more for congress organisers.

Finally, Limor is thrilled to have the chance to join the IAPCO Council as a member, and no doubt will work hard to represent the voices and interests of the members of the council.

Ellen Franck Partner

Meetagain Konferens AB, Sweden

As the former Chair of the Next Gen Committee, Ellen sees a lot of opportunity in being a part of redefining the PCO profession for upcoming generations. In a world constantly changing at a rapid speed, Ellen believes the demand for meaningful connections is crucial for people to stay in this profession, as we continue to navigate the post-pandemic world. She thinks IAPCO is uniquely positioned to become the epicentre for nurturing these connections and advancing industry education. According to Ellen, our community's potential lies in transforming the perception of PCO roles, making them more appealing and relevant to younger professionals who are eager to engage with dynamic and evolving career paths.

Professionally, Ellen is excited by the challenge of innovative thinking. The opportunity to constantly develop new processes that enhance efficiency and effectiveness fuels her passion. She believes challenging conventional ways of thinking and adapting to the ever-changing business environment not only drives progress but also instils a profound sense of purpose in her work. Being involved with IAPCO and serving on its council allows her to contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of our profession. She finds it exhilarating to know that the work we do today will have a lasting impact, ensuring that the PCO profession remains at the forefront of global business practices. This blend of innovation, adaptation, and impactful contribution is what truly energises her in her professional journey.

Stephen Noble Manager (APAC)

The Conference Company, New Zealand Chair of the IAPCO Training Academy

Stephen has over twenty years of experience in the events industry, spanning planning, strategy, project management, financial stewardship, marketing and sponsorship activations. He has a hands-on philosophy to share enthusiasm for technology, DEI and other evolving aspects of meeting design that make today's events more engaging, enriching and accessible.

IAPCO's training programmes are constantly evolving, built on the latest best practices. Stephen aims to have plenty of conversations, listen intently and maintain a constant focus on relevance and quality.

Diversity and inclusion remain top priorities at IAPCO. As topics in education programmes, they are becoming more authentic in some parts of the world, while in others, the conversation is just starting. Earlier this year in Tokyo, one of the first presentations dedicated to DEI at a Hosted EDGE was met with enthusiasm and appreciation.

Global challenges facing the industry include the pandemic's aftermath, sustainability efforts to minimise carbon footprints (contrary to knowledge exchange through in-person events), and an evolving generation with altered work styles and purpose articulation to attract future leaders. Stephen is driven to address the health of event professionals, a topic gaining more attention.

IAPCO offers a range of training activities, including webEDGE (an online education library), EDGE seminars (covering various levels up to advanced), CEO Meet-Ups (focusing on strategic topics), and AM&GA (investigating global trends and their impact on the meetings industry). IAPCO ensures space for knowledge sharing among members and industry professionals at events like the Annual Meeting.

Jimena Ruiz

Chief of Staff BTC Americas, Mexico

Jimena has been part of BTC for over seventeen years and in 2024 was appointed as Chief of Staff, jointly responsible for the organisation's leadership and strategic direction.

Her expertise has championed aligning priorities and fostering crossfunctional collaboration across departments and teams to ensure seamless integration and coordination on key company initiatives. With an unwavering belief in professional development, networking and leadership, she actively contributes to the industry's mission, particularly in fostering collaboration, reliance and engagement across teams.

While serving on various committees and contributing to national task forces and Latin American Women Groups, her priority has been leadership abilities and collaborative skills.

Within IAPCO's Advocacy and Sustainability Committees, the primary objective is to further the association's social and environmental consciousness, commitmen, and initiatives promotion within the IAPCO community. The continued goal is to influence decision-making, educate, mobilise support and direct stakeholder engagement while collaborating with like-minded individuals, organisations and communities, forming coalitions that amplify their collective voices.

With a central goal of empowering Next Gen communities and driving positive societal change, nurturing these inspirational sources, providing support and guidance and empowering them to become leaders, innovators and changemakers who shape this outstanding industry is paramount. Bringing people together, fostering collaboration and designing meaningful experiences that leave a lasting impact on attendees, facilitate connections and motivate each of us to create one single voice is key.

Nicola Testai CEO

OIC Group, Italy

In 2013, Nicola joined OIC Group, an Italian PCO founded in 1975, as Managing Director after managerial roles in the textile sector.

Since joining, Nicola's vision has been to 'believe in a world where every organisation can grow, share and connect in a limitless environment'. His predisposition to create 'connections' has been fundamental in making a constructive contribution to the association world as a board member of the Destination Florence Convention and Visitor Bureau or as head of the PCO category and Vice-President of Federcongressi&Eventi in Italy.

In 2023, he was elected as an IAPCO Council member and became the key reference point for IAPCO's Commercial and Strategic Partners. He is currently an active member of ASCONET, ICCA and PCMA.

On partnerships, Nicola says, "As PCOs, we work globally and need to collaborate with various destinations, CVBs and suppliers. IAPCO's strategic and commercial partnerships allow us to develop mutually beneficial relationships built on trust over time. There's tranquillity in knowing Partners will collaborate with professional IAPCO members adhering to quality standards.

"Partners need quality certified PCOs, and PCOs need trustworthy destinations. The fact that relationships and trust develop over the years makes it special and unique – a win-win for both! The Partners appreciate that specific standards will be met for upcoming events."

Away from work, Nicola is a family man, with a passion for sport, wine and cooking.

Jason Yeh

CEO GIS Group, Taiwan IAPCO Treasurer

Jason Yeh is the founder and CEO of GIS Group, a current IAPCO Council Member, the Honorary President of the Taiwan Convention & Exhibition Association and the previous ICCA 2nd Vice President. A pioneer in Taiwan’s meeting and event landscape, also author and a lecturer, his mission has always been to drive positive changes within the industry and elevate Taiwan as a prime international meeting destination. He was named one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry by Successful Meetings in 2017 for his work. Since 1991, under his leadership, GIS Group has been providing the highest level of service to international clients and its professionalism is certified by many international affiliations (ICCA, IAPCO, and Bosch CRN).

Ever since the pandemic, the traditional service industry model has been challenged, and PCOs have been diversifying their service offers to adapt to those industry-wide transformational changes. Companies have branched out of the traditional definition of what a PCO is, dabbing into media, or launching their events and congresses. While for some this could be considered a crisis, there is an opportunity for IAPCO to examine and redefine what is at the core of the PCO business, the basis on which to build the future of the industry.

Additionally, a rising number of clients have created their event planning teams, acting as internal PCOs within their companies. As events have become an essential part of any industry, PCOs need to shape a relationship with those new stakeholders, either as competition or as an opportunity for collaboration.