- IAPCO launched The Athens Promise on 27 July 2026 with AIPC, AMCI, andpcMA
- The campaign aims to strengthen the voice of the global meetings industry with policymakers
- The initiative was conceived during IAPCO’s Annual Meeting in Athens in February 2026
- The movement invites professionals and organisations to sign a global pledge
- Resources including the JMIC Global Manifesto support members in advocacy efforts
The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers has launched The Athens Promise, a campaign to give the global meetings and events sector a stronger unified voice with governments and policymakers, alongside partners AIPC, AMC Institute, andpcMA. The initiative aims to boost advocacy for MICE activities, with a focus on demonstrating the economic, innovative, and community value of business events to policymakers. The movement was conceived during the IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly held in Athens in February 2026.
The core objectives of The Athens Promise include raising visibility by showing how business events drive local economies, education, and global development, mobilising individuals and organisations to engage directly with local governments and media, and supporting existing industry advocacy frameworks without replacing current regional efforts. The movement aims to unite professionals across the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector and generate practical outcomes and tools that can be shared across the global community.
The idea for the campaign emerged from discussions during IAPCO’s Annual Meeting and General Assembly in Athens, Greece, in February 2026, where industry leaders wanted to show how a single event can create a lasting legacy beyond the conference room. The movement invites anyone who plans, hosts, supplies, or benefits from business events to sign a global pledge on Change.org. IAPCO has pointed to resources including the JMIC Global Manifesto to support members in shaping their messages to policymakers.
Martin Sirk former long-standing CEO of ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) and currently CEO of the strategic consultancy Sirk Serendipity, shared: “The Athens Promise represents a unified commitment from the global meetings industry to demonstrate our value to governments and policymakers, and we invite everyone in our sector to join this movement and make their voice heard.”
