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Sissi Lygnou reveals the unique complexities and challenges of the PCO role, highlighting the need for innovation, recognition and education.
Miguel Neves
AFEA CEO Sissi Lygnou champions the Professional Conference Organizer (PCO) industry. She serves on the IAPCO Board of Directors and chairs the Hellenic Association of Professional Conference Organizers (HAPCO). Lygnou explained the complexities and challenges of the PCO industry, emphasizing the need for innovation, recognition and education. “Our industry is not sexy enough,” she admits, emphasizing the need to make the meetings world more visible and attractive.
The legacy of the conference
Lygnou has been immersed in the world of business activities since childhood through the family company. “Meetings have been a part of my life since I was a little girl,” she said. She leads the company now, but looks back on the time she left the family business as her foundation. From 2001 to 2004, she held important positions in the Olympic Organizing Committee. She credits this role with launching her career. “This was actually the beginning of my real career in the events industry. It was an amazing experience, a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said.
The evolution of PCOs
Lygnou said the PCO landscape has made significant progress. She described PCOs as “more than just” organizers and likened them to orchestral maestro. Lygnou believes that with more than 40 professionals involved in creating a successful event, the PCO’s comprehensive expertise in managing all the different disciplines must be recognized. “Only an expert in this field can coordinate all suppliers or key stakeholders, sites and needs in the most successful way,” she explains.
Lygnou candidly discusses the barriers to industry growth. One of the most pressing challenges is the lack of education in professional meeting planning and talent retention. “We need to find or create new talent,” she said. In addition, she believes that cross-industry education and practical training are crucial to the sustainable development of the industry.
future vision
Lygnou is well aware of the carbon footprint of meetings and events. However, she also sees significant benefits from the conference, many of which are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She is excited about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) but warns against losing the human touch in events. “We need to pay attention to this [AI] and use it to our benefit,” she said.
Looking ahead, Lygnou expects the industry to transform within five years, with artificial intelligence playing a more central role. She foresees more creative event formats and greater integration of technology in all aspects of meeting planning and execution. However, she also insists that in these changes, the “human element” remains crucial.
Advice to the industry
Stress management and mental health are top priorities for Lygnou and her team at AFEA. In an industry known for high pressure and tight deadlines, work-life balance and mental health are crucial. “We try to reduce their stress factors,” Lignu said. She has implemented a number of initiatives to support staff well-being and personal development.
Reflecting on her aspirations for the industry, Lygnou expressed a desire for the PCO profession to be more widely recognized. “I would really like to see young professionals clamoring to join our industry,” she muses. Additionally, she hopes infrastructure in her hometown of Athens will improve. A larger conference center needs to be developed to attract more and larger events to the Greek capital.
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