JUDGE & MENTOR
Sissi Lygnou was born in Athens, Greece. She graduated from the German School of Athens and studied Business Administration & Economics, including a Dissertation on Tourism, at the University of Regensburg, in Bavaria, Germany.
In 2001 she joined the Communication, Public Relations & Events Department of the ATHENS 2004 Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, where she was promoted to Communications Manager of the Olympic & Paralympic Village.
In 2004, she joined the “family owned Company AFEA, a leading organization in the International Meetings Industry and Corporate Travel Sector in Greece and worldwide.
Today, she is the CEO of AFEA, in charge of PCO Operations and Business Development.
Since 2007, she is elected as a General Secretary of HAPCO (Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers), a position she served until April 2022.
In 2022, she was elected as President of the Association, recently renamed to HAPCO & DES (Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers & Destination Event Specialists)
She has also served EFAPCO (European Federation of Associations of Professional Congress Organizers) from the position of Secretary General since 2009 until December 2018.
In February 2021, she was elected as Council Member IAPCO, following a dynamic involvement in the Association since 2009 in various positions.
2020-today | Belongs to the 100 Mentors of the European Organization European Cities Marketing
2019-today | Faculty Member for the European Organization European Cities Marketing
2017-today | Mentor & Educator in various educational Boards and Institutions
With more than 20 years of experience in the Meetings Industry, Sissi has been involved in the bidding and organization process of major events worldwide. She is passionate with the Events World and eager to contribute to the development and recognition of the Industry.