Our Events & Activities
IAPA organises a range of events and activities throughout the year, giving members unique opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together as part of the international au pair community.
From our flagship annual conference WETM-IAC to regular webinars and workshops, these live and online formats are designed to facilitate networking, business communication, and professional development for everyone involved in au pair and cultural exchange programmes. Alongside these, IAPA also marks key moments in the industry calendar, including International Au Pair Day and the Au Pair of the Year Award.
If you have something interesting to share with our community and would like to hold a webinar for our members, or if you know of a topic that you think should be presented to our community in this format please don’t hesitate to contact our Managing Director:
patricia.brunner@iapa.org
Below, you'll find more information on our annual conference, workshops, webinars, the Au Pair of the Year Award, and International Au Pair Day.
Work Experience Travel Market & IAPA Annual Conference
WETM-IAC Conference
What is WETM-IAC?
WETM-IAC (Work Experience Travel Market and IAPA Annual Conference) is the joint annual conference of WYSE Travel Confederation and IAPA. is the joint annual conference of WYSE Travel Confederation and IAPA. It brings together senders and receivers across cultural exchange, au pairing, volunteering, internships, and work experience for a focused, cost-effective business event.
What does WETM-IAC offer?
WETM-IAC gives attendees a practical way to meet potential partners, stay up to date with the sector, and grow their network. Attendees can:
- Take part in 30+ pre-scheduled one-to-one business appointments with senders, receivers, and service providers across the cultural exchange, work experience, and au pair industry
- Learn about current trends and developments in the sector
- Meet and network with industry peers and strengthen existing partnerships at dedicated networking events
- Share experiences and discuss solutions to common challenges in the sector
Who can attend?
WETM-IAC welcomes organisations from across the cultural exchange, work experience, and au pair sector, whether or not they are already an IAPA member. It's also a great opportunity to experience the benefits of IAPA membership first-hand.
Are there discounts for members?
Yes. Both IAPA and WYSE Travel Confederation members benefit from reduced conference rates, and early bird pricing is available for those who register ahead of time.
Award
Au Pair of the Year Award
We established the Au Pair of the Year Award as a way to recognise and honour the most extraordinary, exceptional and deserving au pairs as nominated by their host families.
The award is also a wonderful way for our members to showcase their organisations, promoting the high quality of their au pair programs and highlighting to the public the rewarding and mutually beneficial experience of this cultural exchange program.
Local Learning & Networking
IAPA Workshops Worldwide
IAPA organises local get-togethers and workshops for members and non-members alike, to discuss the current situation and regulations for au pair programmes in their country. These visits help us stay closely connected to the industry and continue supporting agencies on the ground. They are also a great opportunity for agencies to get to know IAPA better and to connect with one another.
Learning online
IAPA Webinars
IAPA regularly offers webinars for its members on topics relevant to running an au pair agency, including GDPR, global updates on au pair programmes, tax duties for au pairs, conflict resolution, artificial intelligence, and best practices in social media and marketing.
Alongside these educational webinars, IAPA also hosts social online events, such as our annual Jingle Mingle at the end of the year, giving members a relaxed way to connect virtually.
These webinars and events help members stay up to date and strengthen the sense of community across IAPA's international network.
Learning online
International Au Pair Day
International Au Pair Day was initiated by IAPA in 2019 and is celebrated every year on 24 November. 24 November was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the "European agreement on au pair placements," released by the Council of Europe in 1969 – the first official set of rules and regulations for au pair programmes, which still forms the basis for many au pair programmes worldwide today. Internationalaupairday
Each year, au pairs, host families, and agencies around the world join in celebrating the day, sharing stories, photos, and videos that highlight the impact of cultural exchange. The day has grown steadily in visibility since its launch and is now recognised internationally as an official day of celebration
