14 & 15 October, 2026 – Istanbul, Turkey

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IPAF Summit Programme

  • Istanbul Marriott Hotel Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey

Sharing Knowledge and Ideas - Why Collaboration Matters in Business

At a time when industries face rapid technological change, increasing regulation, and growing safety expectations, the Summit will champion collaboration over competition, showing how shared learning strengthens businesses and raises standards across the access industry.

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SUMMIT Theme

Sharing Knowledge and Ideas -
Why Collaboration Matters in Business

Thursday 15 October, 2026

08:30 – 10:15

Networking, Registration & Welcome Coffee

10:15 – 10:25

IPAF Summit Introduction

Euan Youdale, Editor, Access International, KHL Group

10:25 – 10:40

Welcome

Saruhan Günaydın, President, Platformder

Speaker saruhan gunaydin

Click pic for bio

10:40 – 11:05

Sharing Stories: a personal experience in the industry

Mark Keily, Health, Safety & Sustainability Director, Sunbelt Rentals

Mark keily

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11:05 – 11:25

IPAF Update

Peter Douglas, CEO & Managing Director, IPAF

Speaker peter douglas

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11:25 – 12:10

Networking Coffee Break

12:10 – 12:55

Workshop Sessions:

Session A:

Practical Uses of AI in Powered Access

Gian Luca Benci, CEO, Alias2k

Francesco Marini, Project Manager Marketing Vendite, Alias2k

Session B:

Mast Climbing Work Platforms: Safety and compliance through shared responsibility

Alex Ventosa Lazaro, Director of Sales, Alba

John Joe Magee, Global MCWP and Hoist Representative at IPAF

Session C:

Telematics: Using shared data to improve safety, efficiency, and decision-making

Steve O’Brien, Compliance Team Leader, Laing O’Rourke

Georgia Vaidarlis Raffaut, Senior Customer Success Manager, Trackunit

Speaker gian luca benci
Gian Luca Benci
Speaker alex ventosa lazaro
Alex Ventosa Lazaro
Speaker georgia vaidarlis raffaut
Georgia Vaidarlis Raffaut
Speaker francesco marini
Francesco Marini
Speaker john joe
John Joe Magee
Speaker steve obrien
Stíofán “Steve” O’Brien

12:55 – 14:25

Networking Lunch

14:25 – 15:15

Economist Keynote

Professor Ali Arı

Speaker ali ari

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15:15 – 15:40

Sharing for Safer Operations

Domokos Speder, Vice President of Business Consulting & OEM EMEA, Trackunit

Speaker domokos speder

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15:40 – 16:00

Why Sharing Data Is the Key to a Safer Access Industry

Brian Parker, Head of Safety & Technical, IPAF

Rob Cavaleri, Snr. Fleet, Training and Compliance Manager at Manlift Group

Speaker brian parker

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Speaker robert cavaleri

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16:00 – 16:30

Networking Coffee Break

16:30 – 17:15

Robotics & AI Specialist Keynote

Mustafa İÇİL, Founder of IÇIL Training and Consulting

Speaker mustafa

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17:15 – 17:20

Closing Remarks

Euan Youdale, Editor, Access International

17:20 – 17:30

Conclusion

Kai Schliephake, CEO Partnerlift

18:30 - 00:00

IAPA Drinks Reception, Dinner & Awards Presentations

See the IAPAs Awards
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Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors

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The IPAF Summit conference, along with the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) is an excellent educational and networking opportunity for the access industry.

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Speaker saruhan gunaydin

Saruhan Günaydın

Chairman of Platformder

Saruhan Günaydın, born on April 6, 1979, is an experienced executive in the construction machinery and aerial work platform sector, specializing in sales, rental, and marketing. He graduated from Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Department of Economics, in 2002. He began his career at Acarlar Makine, managing sales and rental processes for Haulotte platforms, and later worked at Borusan Makina as a sales representative for Caterpillar construction equipment. Since 2008, he has served as a Board Member at Toro Makina A.Ş., leading sales and marketing activities. He is also the Chairman of Platformder and a member of the TOBB Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing Council.

Mark keily

Mark Keily

QHSE Director - Sunbelt Rentals Limited

Mark has 25 years’ experience in Occupational Health and Safety, 15 years of which was spent specialising in work at height and plant safety. He is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Safety and Health, the Chartered Institute of Building and is a Chartered Environmentalist.  He is the current Chair of IPAF’s International Safety Committee and holds a position on IPAF’s UK Council. He has also been an active member of the UK’s Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group and various IPAF works groups for more than 10 years.

Speaker peter douglas

Peter Douglas

CEO and MD, IPAF

Peter joined IPAF in 2019, having previously been an IPAF Board member. He formerly worked for IPAF Member firm Nationwide Platforms in a variety of roles over more than 27 years. Since Peter joined IPAF, he has driven forward the global IPAF accident reporting project, overseen a significant rise in uptake of IPAF’s eLearning worldwide, as well as the introduction of new training courses and the implementation of the ePAL IPAF app for MEWP and MCWP operators. Peter has over three decades’ experience in powered access and hopes to make the industry worldwide as safe as it possibly can be. As a member of the Access Industry Forum (AIF), Peter continues to contribute IPAF’s views to the UK APPG of MPs inquiring into falls from height. He is also a trustee of the AIF’s No Falls Foundation. 

Speaker gian luca benci

Gian Luca Benci

CEO & Founder - Alias2k

Gian Luca Benci is the CEO and founder of Alias2k, an Italian software company specializing in digital solutions for the global construction equipment rental sector for over 20 years. He focuses on merging digital innovation, including dynamic pricing and AI applications, with rental industry strategies to enhance efficiency and growth. Alias2k serves major clients like Caterpillar and the European Rental Association (ERA). Benci actively contributes to the industry through the ERA Promotion Committee and as an experienced speaker and consultant.

Speaker alex ventosa lazaro

Alex Ventosa Lazaro

Director of Sales, Alba

I have been working in the access side of the construction world for 11 years. Started at Turboiber Elevacion which was started by my grandfather and is currently the biggest hoist and mast climber rental company in Spain. From there I went to work at Torgar which is another hoist and pinion manufacturer who at the time was owned by Fraco Canada. I took a brief year and a half hiatus to work at SAEZ tower cranes as a sales manager but then returned to work in Global Access who is a venture capital fund after they acquired Torgar so I worked there for another year before joining ALBA as a sales director in November 2024

Speaker georgia vaidarlis raffaut

Georgia Vaidarlis Raffaut

Global Director, Digital Services, Trackunit

Georgia Vaidarlis Raffaut is a Senior Customer Success Manager in the construction technology sector, with over a decade of experience spanning construction delivery, finance, risk, and digital transformation. She brings a rare blend of commercial, operational, and strategic expertise, and works closely with Tier-1 contractors across EMEA to drive measurable value from digital adoption, risk mitigation, and data-led decision-making in complex environments. Georgia is focused on advancing purpose-driven innovation that reinforces operational efficiency, safety performance, and sustainable value creation across the industry.

Speaker john joe

John Joe Magee

Global MCWP and Hoist Representative at IPAF

John Joe is the Global MCWP & Hoist Representative at the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), where he works with industry stakeholders on training, technical guidance, standards and the safe use of mast climbing work platforms and construction hoists.

After graduating from Ulster University with a degree in Engineering, John Joe began his career in the fit-out sector before joining Rockcastle Management Ltd, formerly AER Access, in 2017. He initially worked in temporary works design before moving into an engineering management role covering installation, inspection, maintenance and operational processes for MCWPs and construction hoists.

During his time at Rockcastle, he became Ireland’s first IPAF MCWP & Hoist Instructor and helped establish an IPAF training centre serving Ireland and Northern Ireland.

In his current role with IPAF, John Joe works with manufacturers, rental companies, contractors, training centres and industry bodies across a range of technical, training and safety-related activities.

Speaker steve obrien

Stíofán “Steve” O’Brien

MEWP Compliance Lead - Laing O’Rourke

Steve O’Brien, a third-generation construction professional, once vowed never to follow in his family’s footsteps. With over two decades of expertise in powered access, cranes, and as an IPAF Demonstrator at Select Plant Hire. Steve currently serves as the MEWP Compliance Lead for Laing O’Rourke, playing a pivotal role in supporting all their depots and projects. He provides expert advice to site teams, conducts thorough reviews of Working at Height operations, and champions the adoption of new technologies to enhance safety for everyone involved.

At 57, Steve is a proud father of two and grandfather of seven. Whilst they keep him busy, Steve enjoys spending the rest of his time with his Partner, their Cocker Spaniels, or unwinding with his Xbox. He is also known to indulge in karaoke once in a while.

Speaker ali ari

Prof. Ali Arı

Economist

Prof. Ali Arı is a distinguished economist whose expertise spans macroeconomics, international economics, political economy, and the intersections of energy, sustainability, and financial stability. With a strong academic foundation and extensive research portfolio, Prof. Arı has contributed significantly to understanding financial and currency crises, international trade dynamics, energy transition, and the structural transformation of emerging markets—particularly the Turkish economy. His work blends comparative global analysis with deep insight into how technological change, climate policy, and geopolitical shifts influence growth and inequality. At Marmara University, Prof. Ali Arı has held several leadership positions, including Vice-Director of the Graduate School in Social Sciences and Director of the Research Center on France–Turkey Relations. Previously, he served as Director of the Center for European Studies and Chair of Economics at Kırklareli University. His international experience includes visiting roles at Rice University, Chulalongkorn University, and leading European institutions.

Speaker domokos speder

Domokos Speder

Vice President of Business Consulting & OEM EMEA, Trackunit

Domokos Speder, VP of Business Consulting & OEM EMEA at Trackunit, is an entrepreneurial leader with a track record in building new and growing businesses with relentless focus on customer experience in the digital space. Always excited to push the envelope on cutting-edge innovation that solves the biggest pain points of construction. He’s passionate about building powerful relationships throughout the construction business ecosystem.

Speaker brian parker

Brian Parker

Head of Safety & Technical - IPAF

Brian Parker has worked in the powered access industry for over 25 years, formerly working for IPAF Member AFI-Uplift. He holds a NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety and is also a Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Brian has been an IPAF Instructor for over 20 years and represented on many committees during this time. He carries out work on UK and International committees i.e. BSI Committee MHE12/1, CEN/TC/98/WG1 and ISO/TC214 Committee. He proudly served in the UK Forces – Royal Engineers for 8 years with overseas operational tours.

Speaker robert cavaleri

Rob Cavaleri

'Snr. Fleet, Training and Compliance Manager at Manlift Group'

Rob has over 38 years of experience in the access industry, including in Australia, the US, Europe, India and the Middle East. He joined the access industry in 1985 beginning with aluminium towers and light swinging stages, followed by telescopic handlers, Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) and power generators. Rob’s efforts are predominantly around continuous improvement in rental, sales, operations, technical, and training for the Manlift Riwal Group.

Speaker mustafa

Mustafa İÇİL

Founder of IÇIL Training and Consulting

Mustafa IÇIL is a globally recognized expert in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and technology-driven business strategy. With nearly 35 years of experience at leading technology firms—Microsoft, Apple, and Google—he has held pivotal roles including Regional Marketing Director at Google, where he led award-winning initiatives across Turkey, Greece, the Middle East, and Africa. At Apple, he was named one of Capital magazine’s “Top Marketers” for his impactful campaigns. As the founder of IÇIL Training and Consulting, he advises organizations on AI, innovation, digital marketing, customer experience, and next-generation leadership.