From its inception, the IAPC recognized that annual world conferences were the best vehicle to bring together its membership for the dual roles of fostering the growing and diverse profession of political consultants as well as advancing the practical aspects of democratic elections. Beginning in 1968, the IAPC conferences have been bringing together members to exchange views and information about political developments and campaign techniques. Organizationally, this conference which is held each November in a different city around the world.
Beginning with the First World Conference which was convened in Paris in November 1968, IAPC conferences have been held annually as follows:
| Year | Place | President | ||
| 2011 | Istanbul | Tom Edmonds | ||
| 2010 | Paris | Tom Edmonds | ||
| 2009 | Panama | Tom Edmonds | ||
| 2008 | Washington | Mario Ballerini | ||
| 2007 | Bali | Ben Goddard | ||
| 2006 | Barcelona | Ben Goddard | ||
| 2005 | Berlin | Volker Riegger | ||
| 2004 | Vancouver | Volker Riegger | ||
| 2003 | Prague | Ken Feltman | ||
| 2002 | Rio de Janeiro | Ken Feltman | ||
| 2001 | Malta | Sepp Hartinger | ||
| 2000 | Washington | Sepp Hartinger | ||
| 1999 | Milano | Rick Ridder | ||
| 1998 | Vienna | Rick Ridder | ||
| 1997 | Buenos Aires | Bo Krogvig | ||
| 1996 | Miami | Bo Krogvig | ||
| 1995 | Dublin | Paul Buiar | ||
| 1994 | Johannesburg | Paul Buiar | ||
| 1993 | Stockholm | Jonathan Gaul | ||
| 1992 | Beverly Hills | Jonathan Gaul | ||
| 1991 | Sydney | John M. Seigle | ||
| 1990 | Budapest | John M. Seigle | ||
| 1989 | Nice | Klaus Golombek | ||
| 1988 | San Francisco | Klaus Golombek | ||
| 1987 | Istanbul | Joseph Cerrell | ||
| 1986 | San Juan | Joseph Cerrell | ||
| 1985 | Venice | Harry Walter | ||
| 1984 | Washington | Harry Walter | ||
| 1983 | Jerusalem | Michael Rowan | ||
| 1982 | Berlin | Michael Rowan | ||
| 1981 | Paris | Josè Luis Sanchìs-Armelles | ||
| 1980 | Washington | Josè Luis Sanchìs-Armelles | ||
| 1979 | Madrid | F. Clifton White | ||
| 1978 | London | F. Clifton White | ||
| 1977 | St. Tropez | Michael Bongrand | ||
| 1976 | Washington | Joseph Napolitan | ||
| 1975 | Paris | Max Beauchez | ||
| 1974 | Majorca | Max Beauchez | ||
| 1973 | Amsterdam | Max Beauchez | ||
| 1972 | Washington | Max Beauchez | ||
| 1971 | Brussels | Joseph Napolitan | ||
| 1970 | London | Joseph Napolitan | ||
| 1969 | Florence | Michel Bongrand | ||
| 1968 | Paris | Michel Bongrand |
