From 11–14 January 2026, the global meetings and business events community gathered in Philadelphia U.S.A. for PCMA Convening Leaders 2026, one of the most influential events in the international meetings industry. The annual flagship conference once again provided a platform for dialogue, inspiration and forward-thinking leadership at a pivotal time for the sector.
Among the industry leaders in attendance was Sissi Lignou,President of IAPCO and CEO of AFEA Congress, representing IAPCO.
Sissi had the honor of sharing the stage with two dynamic female leaders, Leah Lewis, CMP, CEM, DES, and Stephanie S., in an inspirational session on leadership and innovation, that explored how event leaders can foster environments that encourage creativity, experimentation and progress. During the discussion, she presented IAPCO’s mission and vision, its key strategic pillars, and a practical case study highlighting how innovation can thrive when built in the spirit of psychological safety. Sissi, along with President and CEO of PCMA, Sherrif Karamat, was also part of the powerful moment, where PCMA & IAPCO formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a two-year MOU. The MOU establishes a structured framework for collaboration between the two global organisations, aligned by a shared commitment to advancing professionalism, insight gathering and long-term capability across the international meetings and events sector.
PCMA Convening Leaders 2026 stood out not only for the quality of its content, but also for its powerful storytelling, immersive formats and strong sense of community. The event brought together professionals from across the global meetings ecosystem, creating valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and connection. The strong presence of the IAPCO community further reinforced the importance of global collaboration within the profession.
For AFEA Congress, staying connected to these global industry dialogues remains essential, ensuring we continue to learn, adapt and contribute to the ongoing development of the business events sector worldwide.
