The Association for Project Management (APM) has showcased its work on accessible and inclusive event management at one of the world’s leading conferences for membership organisations, highlighting how project management principles can help create more welcoming experiences for delegates.
APM’s Head of Events and Volunteer Engagement, Manuela Impellizzeri Kemp, presented the organisation’s approach during the 2026 Associations World Congress in Lagoa, Portugal, where association leaders and senior executives from around the world gathered to share best practice.
The annual congress, organised by the Association of Association Executives, provides a platform for professional bodies to exchange ideas on governance, member engagement and organisational development.
Sharing Practical Lessons
Representing the chartered body for the project profession, APM used the event to demonstrate how structured planning, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement can be applied to event accessibility.
Manuela presented APM’s accessibility programme as a practical case study, outlining the measures introduced to make events more inclusive, the lessons learned during implementation and the recognition that accessibility requires ongoing development rather than a one-off initiative.
“It was a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues from membership organisations across the world, exchange ideas and learn from their experiences,” she said.
“I shared some of the progress we’ve made in making APM’s events more inclusive and accessible — a journey that has been incredibly important to our team. It was encouraging to see strong interest from fellow delegates, alongside a shared recognition that there is always more we can do.”
She also acknowledged the contribution of APM’s Events Accessibility Champion, Paula Cunningham, whose work has helped shape the organisation’s approach.
Applying Project Management to Inclusion
While accessibility is often viewed as an operational consideration, APM’s presentation highlighted its importance as a project management discipline requiring careful planning, governance and stakeholder collaboration.
Delivering accessible events involves integrating accessibility considerations from the earliest stages of planning through to execution and post-event evaluation, ensuring that inclusion is embedded throughout the project lifecycle rather than added retrospectively.
The organisation’s experience demonstrates how structured project management approaches can help identify barriers, engage diverse stakeholder groups and continuously improve event delivery.
Raising APM’s International Profile
Beyond the presentation itself, APM said participation in the congress strengthened relationships with peer organisations, enhanced the institute’s international profile and generated new ideas that will help shape future member engagement and event delivery.
The event also reflects the growing role professional bodies are playing in sharing knowledge beyond their own sectors, with project management expertise increasingly being applied to organisational leadership, governance and operational excellence across a wide range of industries.
