The European Federation of the Associations of Professional Congress Organisers has given a great boost to its campaign to make the “P” .in PCO mean what it says – thanks to keynote sessions at its 3rd Annual Congress, held in Poland’s fast-developing conference capital, Warsaw…
The European Federation of the Associations of Professional Congress Organisers has given a great boost to its campaign to make the “P” .in PCO mean what it says – thanks to keynote sessions at its 3rd Annual Congress, held in Poland’s fast-developing conference capital, Warsaw.
Professor Andy Friedman, Director of PARN, the Professional Associations Research Network, based in the UK, delivered inside-track knowledge on ways in which EFAPCO could raise its profile, and influence, by continuing its drive to establish universally-recognised professional standards for PCOs.
After the conference, Andy Friedman said: “It was a fascinating congress as European PCOs and their representative body may be regarded as an emerging profession in a manner common to several other occupations.
“They are emerging from a set of activities that corporations, and professional associations, may consider to be what users or clients can either organise for themselves, or which they can get someone to do for ‘free’ in that the cost would be negotiated through discounts at venues, hotels and other suppliers to get the business and so would not appear as a management or professional fee.
“This is how travel agents and Destination Management Companies operate. Besides getting recognition for doing more than arranging suppliers, PCOs design congresses with clients and take responsibility for their smooth running.
“They also need to establish accreditation for initial qualifications, Continuing Professional Development programmes plus a consistent pan-European ethical code.”
Andy Friedman added: “There is also the issue of membership. To get to grips with these policies EFAPCO needs, in our view, to represent and regulate individuals as well as companies. The Congress spent a lot of its time discussing the need for, and design of an ethical code for PCOs. Delegates also identified the need for standardised definitions in their field of expertise – a clear knowledge base for practice.
“EFAPCO’s current aims include supporting the conference sector within the European Union, raising its profile and providing networking and educational opportunities for European PCOs.”
He concluded: “As may be expected from the occupation of EFAPCO members, the congress was extremely well organised. Not only were the sessions well-run and the content of high quality, but the out-of-hours activities were particularly interesting and enjoyable.”
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