Jorge Castex Scholarship 2026 awarded to Keylinn Rodríguez Vega
Keylinn Rodríguez Vega has been named the inaugural recipient of the Jorge Castex Scholarship 2026, granting her complimentary access to the ACE I level of IAPCO’s Accredited Conference Expert programme. The award was announced on 12 November 2026 and applies to the scholarship winner and future recipients.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- First Jorge Castex Scholarship awarded, providing free ACE I access
- Timing
- Announced 12 November 2026 and effective immediately
- Who is affected
- Keylinn Rodríguez Vega and future scholarship recipients
The details
- Announced by
- IAPCO and FIEXPO Exhibitions Group
- New rule
- The scholarship grants complimentary access to ACE I, the first level of IAPCO’s Accredited Conference Expert programme.
Award Announcement
IAPCO and FIEXPO Exhibitions Group announced that Keylinn Rodríguez Vega is the first recipient of the Jorge Castex Scholarship 2026. The scholarship recognises her participation in the inaugural IAPCO & FIEXPO Emerging Leaders Programme – LATAM and her professional contributions to the meetings industry.
Scholarship Benefits
Through the scholarship, Rodríguez Vega receives complimentary access to ACE I, IAPCO’s professional accreditation programme for conference organisers. ACE I offers the first individual accreditation, linking learning and professional experience with formal recognition.
- Free enrollment in ACE I programme
- Formal accreditation as an Accredited Conference Expert
Emerging Leaders Programme Context
The award follows the inaugural Emerging Leaders Programme – LATAM, which gathered 17 professionals from 12 countries across five modules covering leadership, governance, stakeholder management, financial strategy and adaptability. The programme aimed to foster knowledge exchange among emerging talent in the meetings and events sector.
The scholarship builds on this experience, supporting the recipient’s next stage of professional development and honouring the legacy of Jorge Castex, former IAPCO President and Training Academy Chair.
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Existing travel bookings for Rodríguez Vega are unaffected by the scholarship award
- Future participants in the Emerging Leaders Programme can plan to apply for the scholarship after programme completion
Cost and documents
- The scholarship carries no fee for ACE I access
- No additional documents are required beyond standard ACE I registration
What you need to do
- Rodríguez Vega should register for ACE I through IAPCO’s portal
- Future scholarship candidates must monitor IAPCO announcements for application windows
Who this affects
-
Keylinn Rodríguez Vega
She is the inaugural recipient of the Jorge Castex Scholarship 2026
What to do Register for ACE I to activate the complimentary access
-
Future Jorge Castex Scholarship recipients
The scholarship will continue to grant complimentary ACE I access to winners
What to do Apply for the scholarship when future calls are issued
-
Emerging Leaders Programme alumni
The scholarship is linked to participation in the programme
What to do Consider the scholarship as a next step after programme completion
Frequently asked questions
What does the Jorge Castex Scholarship 2026 provide?
The scholarship provides complimentary access to ACE I, the first level of IAPCO’s Accredited Conference Expert programme, giving the recipient formal accreditation without cost.
When was the Jorge Castex Scholarship 2026 announced?
The award was announced on 12 November 2026 by IAPCO and FIEXPO Exhibitions Group.
Who is the first recipient of the Jorge Castex Scholarship?
Keylinn Rodríguez Vega is the inaugural recipient of the Jorge Castex Scholarship 2026.
Do scholarship recipients need to pay any fees for ACE I?
No, the scholarship covers the full cost of ACE I enrollment, so no fees are charged to the recipient.
How can future candidates apply for the Jorge Castex Scholarship?
Future candidates should watch for application announcements from IAPCO and FIEXPO, then submit their applications according to the guidelines provided in each call.
