CEO, Conference Partners International & Event Partners, Ireland IAPCO European Director of Education / Founder and co-chair AIPCO

Nicola McGrane, CEO of Conference Partners International and Event Partners Ireland, established the company in 1998. A passionate advocate for developing the business tourism industry in the Ireland, UK and abroad, Nicola is accredited with 5 years’ Board involvement with IAPCO and is currently the IAPCO European Director of Education, as well as founding member and current co-chair of the AIPCO.

Driven by passion and enthusiasm, the key values which underpin Nicola’s approach are quality, trust and integrity. She takes a ‘hands on’ approach to her business and is regarded as a leading lateral thinker with an innovative approach to problem solving and event delivery across the globe.

Renowned for her ability to identify opportunities, her creative thinking and strategic advice has been sought at the highest level by numerous corporations, associations and industry bodies.

President, International Conference Services, Singapore IAPCO Training Academy Chair

Mathias Posch is Chairman and President of International Conference Services (ICS). With its Headquarters in Vancouver, Canada and branch offices in Toronto, Denver, London, Vienna, Barcelona, Singapore and Tokyo, the company manages conferences around the globe – in 38 countries on 6 continents thus far.

Mathias is Chair of IAPCO Training Academy and as such leads the organisation’s education programme. He is a respected industry expert and has been invited to speak at numerous international and national conferences around the globe.

Further he also serves on a number of Advisory Boards and consults international scientific and medical associations on their global strategy.

CEO AFEA (Greece) | Council Member IAPCO – President HAPCO & DES

Sissi Lygnou has more than 20 years of experience in the Meetings Industry and has been involved in the bidding and organisation process of major events worldwide.

Born in Athens, Greece; Sissi graduated from the German School of Athens where she studied Business Administration & Economics. In 2001 she joined the PR & Communications team of the Athens 2004 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, where she was promoted to Communications Manager of the Olympic & Paralympic Village. In 2004, Sissi was appointed by the family-owned company AFEA; a leading global organisation in the Meetings Industry and corporate travel sector, where she holds the position of CEO.

She has been active at IAPCO through various positions, such as Edgineer, Ambassador, member of the Editorial Committee, speaker at WebEdge and other activities.

In 2021, Sissi was elected as an IAPCO Council Member. She has served on the Council of her National Association of PCO’s (HAPCO & DES) since 2007, first as Secretary General and elected as President in 2021.