Celebrating Excellence and Connection at the Winners Club in Hiroshima

The 35th IPMA World Congress in Hiroshima brought together the global project management community for an inspiring program of knowledge sharing, connection, and celebration. Among the highlights was the Winners Club, a special gathering bringing together finalists and guests from across the IPMA community.

The Winners Club program was hosted by Mark Patch, IPMA Global Awards Director, who guided the program and welcomed finalists and guests to this special gathering and Mary Koutintcheva, IPMA Vice President Standards & Qualifications, but also a former IPMA Global Awards Director and member of the judges pannel, who also holds a special place in the history of the Awards as one of the first winners in the Project Excellence Awards category.

The program also featured contributions from Laura Lasaite, IPMA COO, and Rebeka D. Vlahov, IPMA Director of Digital Transformation and Professional Development, who addressed the audience and shared their perspectives with the finalists and guests. Kristijan Robert Prebanić, YPMY Coordinator, was also part of the gathering, representing the Young Project Managers community and fostering a sense of connection among different generations of project professionals.

The Winners Club provided a special opportunity to celebrate the achievements of this year’s finalists and recognize the commitment, dedication, and excellence they represent within the project profession. Beyond the formal congress program, it brought participants together for meaningful conversations, the exchange of experiences, and new connections across the international IPMA community. It was also a moment to recognize the people behind outstanding projects and celebrate the passion and commitment that continue to shape the project profession. 

The celebration continued with an organized site visit tour, giving finalists and guests the opportunity to explore Hiroshima and experience some of the city’s important landmarks and cultural heritage. Combining professional exchange with the opportunity to discover the host city, the visit added another memorable dimension to the congress experience.

From celebrating project excellence to creating meaningful connections and discovering Hiroshima, the Winners Club and site visit reflected the spirit of the 35th IPMA World Congress — bringing people together, sharing experiences, and celebrating the impact of the project profession.