Σίσσυ Λιγνού
President & CEO, AFEA Congress, President, HAPCO & DES (Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers & Destination Event Specialists), President-Elect, IAPCO (International Association of Professional Congress Organizers)
Sissi Lygnou has more than 20 years of experience in the Meetings Industry and has been involved in the bidding and organization process of major events worldwide.
Born in Athens, Greece, Sissi completed her studies in Business Administration & Economics at the German School of Athens. In 2001, she commenced her career with the PR & Communications team of the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, swiftly advancing to the role of Communications Manager for the Olympic & Paralympic Village.
In 2004, Sissi assumed a role at AFEA, a prominent global player and accredited Professional Congress Organizer in the Meetings Industry and Corporate Travel Sector, operated by a family-owned company. Currently, she serves as CEO & President of the Board.
Since 2007, she has been an active member of the Council of the HAPCO & DES, initially holding the position of Secretary General before being elected President in 2022.
In 2021, Sissi was elected to the IAPCO Council for a two-year term. In February 2023, during the IAPCO Annual Meeting & General Assembly, she was re-elected to the Council for another two-year term. As an IAPCO Council Officer, she has overseen numerous projects and has been tasked with chairing the Committees Publications and Advocacy.
In February 2024, she was selected and voted in as President-Elect of the International Association, set to assume the role of President in 2025 for a two-year term.
Throughout her tenure, she has been involved in various capacities within IAPCO, including serving as an Edgineer, Ambassador, member of the Editorial Committee, speaker at WebEdge, IAPCO Edge seminars, and other educational events hosted by the Association. Additionally, she has been a member of the IAPCO Training Academy and IAPCO Faculty since 2021.
She speaks fluent English and German; she practices competitive dancing in her free time.