IPMA celebrated its 40th anniversary Monday night with elephants, fireworks, and a touch of nostalgia. The celebration was held in New Delhi, India, the site of IPMA's 19th World Congress, at the Tivoli Garden Resort Hotel.

According to Dr. Daniel Scheifele, former Chairman of the IPMA Council of Delegates: "In 1965, a few project management enthusiasts in the heart of Europe joined together and started a discussion group of managers of international projects. The first international Congress was held 1967 in Vienna with participation from 30 different countries. The group developed from the discussion group to an organization which was for years known as INTERNET. Times change and in 1994 INTERNET became the International Project Management Association."

The 40th anniversary marks a major step forward for IPMA. The IPMA World Congress is being held outside Europe for the first time, the IPMA International Project Management Award was expanded to Asia this year, and IPMA has its first non-European President. IPMA Council of Delegates Chairman Miles Shepherd acknowledged: "We are delighted that we will be able to celebrate the 40th year of IPMA in India during the 19th World Congress. It is the great mission of IPMA to promote the understanding of project management and its application to all the professionals around the globe."

The delegates to the IPMA World Congress celebrated the 40th anniversary on a grand scale. They were greeted by elephants as they arrived at the Tivoli Garden Resort. They enjoyed a sumptuous banquet of foods from different parts of India. They were entertained by displays of Indian music and dance. They were awed by a fireworks display. And they enjoyed the memories triggered by Klaus Pannenbacker and the IPMA 40th Year Celebration Committee.

It was IPMA's night to celebrate Monday and they did it in style.