The 2026 IAPCO and NZICC Emerging Leaders Programme – APAC and the Jan Tonkin Scholarship are open to staff within companies that are members of the International Association of Professional Conference Organisers (IAPCO).
IAPCO members can nominate multiple staff members to join the program, which will cover topics including leadership capability, stakeholder management, financial strategy, governance, communication and decision-making through six interactive online modules. The program is aimed at those with three to five years’ PCO experience.
The program wraps up with the awarding of the Jan Tonkin Scholarship, named after New Zealand PCO Jan Tonkin, founder of The Conference Company and former IAPCO president and chair of the IAPCO Training Academy.
The recipient of the scholarship will attend the IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly 2027 in Mumbai, India, with the scholarship covering the cost of registration, flights and accommodation.
“The Emerging Leaders Programme is designed to do more than deliver education in the moment,” said IAPCO Council member, current chair of the IAPCO Training Academy and Asia Pacific general manager for The Conference Company, Stephen Noble.
“Its purpose is to create a leadership pathway that strengthens professional standards, builds confidence and keeps emerging talent connected to the IAPCO community over time.
“Seeing previous Jan Tonkin Scholarship recipients return as moderators is a powerful example of that impact.
“It shows how investment in education can create a cycle of learning, leadership and contribution, where participants go on to support others and help raise capability across the profession.
“For the IAPCO Training Academy, this is central to our mission: developing professionals who are not only better equipped for their own careers, but who can also contribute to the resilience, excellence and future direction of the global meetings industry.”
IAPCO has recently expanded the emerging leaders program into a second region, launching the program in Latin America with industry show FIEXPO as partner.
“Workforce development is one of IAPCO’s highest strategic priorities,” said IAPCO CEO, Martin Boyle.
“As our industry continues to evolve, investing in people is essential to ensuring its long-term resilience, professionalism and global impact.
“Through meaningful partnerships with organisations such as NZICC and FIEXPO, we are creating leadership pathways that identify talent early, develop capability and strengthen the future of our profession across multiple regions.
“No single organisation can develop the future workforce alone.
“By working with partners who share our commitment to professional excellence, we are creating opportunities that deliver lasting impact for individuals, businesses, destinations and the wider meetings industry.”
Director of sales at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), Alana Bicknell, said the venue’s support of the program was about “creating long-term regional impact”.
“Our partnership with IAPCO is founded on a shared belief that developing people is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in the future of our industry,” said Bicknell.
“By working together, we are helping to build leadership capability across the Asia Pacific region, equipping emerging professionals with the skills, confidence and international perspective needed to drive our sector forward.
“By investing in future leaders today, we are contributing to the continued growth, resilience and capability of the Asia Pacific business events industry.
“We are proud to continue partnering with IAPCO on an initiative that creates lasting value for individuals, organisations and destinations alike.”
Applications for the 2026 IAPCO and NZICC Emerging Leaders Programme – APAC close soon – on July 15.
