The increment is largely 50 per cent in-house Professional Conference Organisers (PCO’s) and 50 per cent independent PCO’s.
The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO), has experienced a significant increase in interest from event organisers and industry suppliers looking to join a professional organisation and, as a result, has seen membership grow by 20 per cent in the last year.
The increment is largely 50 per cent in-house Professional Conference Organisers (PCO’s) and 50 per cent independent PCO’s. The new in-house members that have joined are; Geraint Collingridge (British Geriatrics Society), Jo Powel (Macmillan Cancer Support), Yvonne Szuca (Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation), Gemma Lamb (Royal Society Medicine), Emma Duffy (Royal College of Radiologists), Lindsay McClenaghan (British Society for Rheumatology), Steven Jenkinson (Royal College of Nursing), Hannah Doyle (British Association of Urological Surgeons), Gloria Dwyer (Asset Based Finance Association), Garth Halliday (Renewable UK), Sammy Williams (Stroke Association), Toni Edmonds (British Society for Rheumatology).
The new agency members are Catherine Riley (PCR Medical Associates), Martin Jack (Think Different Events), Sally Hawkes (Kinetix Events Ltd), Nicola Williams (Worldspan plc), Ruth Atterbury (Millbrook Conferences), Rob Eveleigh (American Express), Gayle McGuinn (Speakeasy), Tricia Bryant (Red Hot Irons Ltd), Charlee Gough (MCI Group), Jeanette Oliver (Pangea Events), Suzy Howes (Suzy Howes & Associates Ltd) and Nicola Hardaker (HG3 Conferences Ltd).
In addition, ABPCO has seen 3 new associate members Charlotte Tanswell (Archer Yates Associates Ltd), Karen Hoey (Happening Conferences & Events) and Rebecca Hoole (Royal College of Nursing).
Heather Lishman, Association Director at ABPCO, said: “ABPCO is the UK’s leading organisation that supports, promotes and provides quality within the events industry and it is so encouraging to see such an interest in membership. Our recent focus has been to create more awareness of ABPCO and communicate that members really do benefit from everything the association has to offer and it would be great to get 30 new members in our 30th year!”
Although ABPCO acknowledge the importance of all members, they have a full ABPCO membership to supplier ratio policy of ensuring that there is double the amount of PCOs to corporate members. All ABPCO members are recognised by the quality marque of ABPCO, which is an industry trusted standard within professional conference organising.
New member, Jo Powel who is the Strategic Events Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said; “We are delighted to be joining the ABPCO family. ABPCO provides a great opportunity to meet and engage with other conference organisers and discuss common challenges, news and share ideas. The benefits of being a member are clear to see, not only benefiting from the fantastic reputation and integrity that ABPCO holds within the industry, but also from opportunities for both Macmillan and myself as an events professional to learn and grow. I look forward to attending and being part of future education, networking and business occasions that will arise from our membership.”
ABPCO, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, offers membership to UK conference and event organisers, those studying for or pursuing a career in the meetings and event industry, and individuals and organisations working across all spectrums of the industry.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
