Jan Tonkin (left), managing director of Auckland-based The Conference Company, has been elected president of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) headquartered in the UK. Tonkin takes over from outgoing president Michel Neijmann for a two-year term.
Commenting after her election Tonkin said: “Our business is undergoing a period of intense change, as new technologies bring about the commodification of traditional services and the diversification of meeting formats. And the role of the meeting planner is also shifting, from logistician to a more strategic partnership. IAPCO's role is to help manage and lead that change. We do that by bringing together the best insights, ideas and strategy, passing them on to practitioners, and in turn, their clients.”
Along with a new president, the 11-member Council welcomed three new members, and a fourth co-opted as host of next year’s Annual Meeting and General Assembly.
The three new council members are Jean Evans, MCI Dublin; Alain Pittet, Congrex Switzerland and Keith Burton, African Agenda. Medhat Nassar of Meeting Minds Experts, Dubai, was co-opted as the host of the 2017 Meeting in Dubai.
The new Council will meet in Edinburgh, Scotland in mid-April to review the Association’s strategic plan. It is envisaged that education will continue to be a strong focus.
Jan Tonkin (left), managing director of Auckland-based The Conference Company, has been elected president of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) headquartered in the UK. Tonkin takes over from outgoing president Michel Neijmann for a two-year term.
Commenting after her election Tonkin said: “Our business is undergoing a period of intense change, as new technologies bring about the commodification of traditional services and the diversification of meeting formats. And the role of the meeting planner is also shifting, from logistician to a more strategic partnership. IAPCO's role is to help manage and lead that change. We do that by bringing together the best insights, ideas and strategy, passing them on to practitioners, and in turn, their clients.”
Along with a new president, the 11-member Council welcomed three new members, and a fourth co-opted as host of next year’s Annual Meeting and General Assembly.
The three new council members are Jean Evans, MCI Dublin; Alain Pittet, Congrex Switzerland and Keith Burton, African Agenda. Medhat Nassar of Meeting Minds Experts, Dubai, was co-opted as the host of the 2017 Meeting in Dubai.
The new Council will meet in Edinburgh, Scotland in mid-April to review the Association’s strategic plan. It is envisaged that education will continue to be a strong focus.
Jan Tonkin (left), managing director of Auckland-based The Conference Company, has been elected president of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) headquartered in the UK. Tonkin takes over from outgoing president Michel Neijmann for a two-year term.
