Speakers
Sissi Lignou
President & CEO, AFEA Congress
IAPCO President
Board Member, Immediate Past President, HAPCO & DES
Sissi Lignou 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, Sissi has more than 20 years of experience in the Meetings & Events Industry. Following her activity at the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (2001-2004), she joined the family-owned business AFEA. She is now the CEO and President of the Board of AFEA Congress, a long-standing PCO in Greece, with global presence.
In 2021, Sissi was elected to IAPCO Council for a 2-year mandate and re-elected in February 2023. In February 2024, during the IAPCO Annual Meeting & General Assembly, Sissi was nominated and elected IAPCO President-Elect. During the 2025 IAPCO Annual Meeting & General Assembly 2025, in Taiwan, she stepped onto the role of IAPCO President 2025 for a 2-year mandate.
She has served the Association through various volunteer positions since 2010. She has served Council of Greece’s National Association of PCO’s (HAPCO & DES) since 2007, first as Secretary General and then as the elected President for a 3-year mandate (2022-2025).
Nicola McGrane
CEO Conference Partners International & Event Partners, Ireland IAPCO European Director of Education, Founder & 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.
Mathias Posch
President, International Conference Services
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 the past Chair of IAPCO Training Academy. 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.
Keynote Speaker
Tobias Degsell
Tobias Degsell is one of Sweden’s most popular keynote speakers, renowned for his ability to see the bigger picture through the smallest details. With analytical precision and a solution-oriented mindset, he has become a sought-after voice both in Sweden and internationally. Beyond the stage, Tobias works globally with companies and organizations, helping them break free from conventional thinking.
The session for IAPCO Edge, “Collaboration and Its Contribution to Excellence”, draws on his unique insights from the Nobel Prize and over a decade of experience across business, the public sector, and civil society.
We can’t wait to see you!
IAPCO EDGE Stockholm
18-21 January 2026
Nordic Light Hotel
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Professional Congress Organiser
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