This partnership welcomes Vienna into the IAPCO Destination Partner community, further strengthening a global network of leading convention bureaux that work strategically with IAPCO and its accredited Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs).

The agreement reflects IAPCO's core tenet that partnerships between destinations and professional conference organisations are a vital part of the successful delivery of professional meetings and events. Effective collaboration between PCOs and convention bureaux allows for aligned, city-wide approaches that result in stronger outcomes for clients, local communities, and international delegates.

As a Destination Partner, Vienna will work closely with IAPCO's global community and contribute to several key initiatives. This includes joining the judging panel for the IAPCO Partner's Emerging Leader Award, which recognises emerging industry talent. Vienna will also host an upcoming IAPCO Advisory Board Meeting - an opportunity to deepen engagement with local leaders and showcase the city’s world-class capabilities.

Vienna joins a cohort of internationally recognised destinations that collaborate with IAPCO to champion best practice, support knowledge exchange and elevate professional standards in conference organisation. The partnership also provides strategic access to IAPCO's accredited PCOs, who deliver more than 21,000 meetings and conferences annually, and in 2024, generated an estimated €17.87 billion in economic impact.

Reflecting on the partnership, Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO, said: "We warmly welcome Vienna to the IAPCO Destination Partner community. Their professionalism, creativity and commitment to innovation make them a natural fit, and we look forward to the value this partnership will bring to our members and the wider industry. 
Our Destination Partners help ensure PCOs have direct access to senior decision-makers within leading cities. This partnership strengthens the connection between Vienna and our global membership, supporting our shared ambition to deliver exceptional meetings and events worldwide. We also know from other destinations, that when a convention bureau includes an IAPCO accredited PCO at the very early stages of bidding, the chance of winning that bid increases."

Anita Paic, Director B2B Management and Vienna Convention Bureau at the Vienna Tourist Board, emphasised Vienna's proven strengths as a meeting destination for organisers and their clients.
"Vienna is proud of its close ties with professional conference organisers worldwide. Working with IAPCO further underlines the city’s strong standing as a high-quality meeting destination. We look forward to sharing our story with the global leaders in professional conference organisation and to using this partnership as an important platform to highlight Vienna’s unique capabilities, amenities, culture and ambitions. Building on this year’s IAPCO Council Meeting as an initial milestone, we are excited to deepen and expand this cooperation. We look forward to creating tangible value for organisers and their clients and to shared success with IAPCO."

Established in 2013, the IAPCO Destination Partnership Programme now includes 11 convention bureaux worldwide. Each partner contributes unique strengths that support IAPCO's mission and the long-term advancement of the global meetings and business events industry.

Group image taken at IBTM 2025, ©IAPCO (from left to right):
Martin Boyle, CEO, IAPCO
Anita Paic, Director B2B Management & Vienna Convention Bureau, Vienna Tourist Board
Sissi Lignou, President, IAPCO
Marina Knittel, Team Manager Associations, Vienna Convention Bureau