Standards Development

Scope

This document provides principles, service elements, service process and good practices for Professional Congress Organizers (PCOs) when delivering services related to the organization of congresses, conferences, conventions and other business events. It applies to PCOs offering fullservice event management as well as those providing modular or partial services.

This document is intended for independent PCO companies, event management agencies, and other service providers involved in the organization of professional events. It may also be used by clients— including associations, public institutions, corporations and international organizations—for selecting, contracting, monitoring and evaluating PCO services.

This document does not apply to the organization of private events, weddings or other non-professional gatherings.

Purpose

The purpose of this proposal is to establish an internationally recognized set of guidelines for Professional Congress Organizer (PCO) services, with the aim of improving the quality, transparency and professionalism of event management services worldwide. The standard seeks to provide a common framework that supports consistent service delivery, facilitates communication between PCOs and clients, and strengthens trust among all stakeholders involved in the organization of congresses and business events.

This proposed document will contribute to the development of the global meetings industry by enhancing service capability, promoting sustainable and responsible event practices, and supporting the integration of digital and hybrid event solutions. It will also enable destinations and service providers to improve competitiveness in the international congress market through the adoption of harmonized best practices.

In addition, the standard will serve as a reference for clients—such as associations, public bodies, corporations and international organizations—when selecting, contracting, supervising and evaluating PCOs, thereby improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of professional event management.

Through these contributions, the proposed standard will support the broader goals of enhancing international cooperation, improving the quality of business events, and promoting sustainable development within the global meetings and business events industry.

Justification

The global meetings and business events industry continues to expand rapidly, with a growing number of international academic congresses, governmental conferences, industry forums and professional exhibitions held worldwide each year. Professional Congress Organizers (PCOs) play a critical role in the planning, coordination and delivery of these events. However, in the context of this rapid growth, the industry faces significant variations in service quality, inconsistent processes, and uneven organizational capabilities across regions. To ensure healthy and sustainable industry development, there is a clear need to establish internationally harmonized guidelines for PCO services.

1. there is a strong and increasing market demand. As globalization accelerates, cross-border conferences, events hosted by international organizations, and global industry summits have become more frequent. Host organizations and destinations increasingly rely on PCOs with international capabilities to ensure high-quality event delivery and participant experience. In the absence of internationally recognized guidelines, service inconsistencies lead to increased communication costs, operational risks and inefficiencies.

2. there is significant disparity in service capacity and professionalism among PCOs across countries and regions. Differences exist in competence levels, process management, compliance expectations, division of responsibilities, and the application of sustainable event practices. Establishing an international standard would improve transparency, enhance accountability, reduce operational risks and support capacity building across the global PCO industry.

3. the rapid rise of digital and hybrid events has created new technical and procedural challenges. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid formats, virtual platforms, digital registration systems and online participant engagement have become mainstream. Yet, no internationally harmonized processes or operational guidelines exist. A standardized PCO framework would support the adoption of new technologies and provide clear guidance for the management of hybrid event workflows.

4. sustainable development requirements are increasingly shaping the meetings industry. Events typically involve significant resource consumption, carbon emissions and waste generation. The industry requires systematic guidance that aligns with relevant standards such as ISO 20121, particularly for implementing sustainable practices in areas such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, carbon management, inclusiveness and accessibility throughout the event lifecycle.

5. PCO services have strategic importance for international trade and destination competitiveness. High-quality meeting services enhance the global reputation of host destinations, support knowledge exchange, facilitate international cooperation, encourage investment and generate significant economic benefits. The professionalization and standardization of PCO services is therefore becoming a key strategy for destinations seeking to strengthen their competitive position in the global congress market.

6. there is no existing ISO standard specifically addressing PCO services. There is currently no standard that focuses on the management and delivery of congress and business event organization. This proposal will fill an important gap and complement existing standards on sustainable event management, service quality and tourism-related services. In summary, the development of Guidelines for professional congress organizer (PCO) services will establish a unified professional framework for the global meetings industry, improve service quality, enhance sustainability, strengthen international cooperation, and support destinations and service providers in building a more competitive and resilient market environment. The proposed standard addresses a clear market need, brings significant industry value, and has strong international relevance.