Nicolas Le Brun, the new President of the European Federation of the Associations of Professional Congress Organisers has outlined his vision for the next two years. The owner and managing director of the Brussels-based Destree Organisation has been actively involved in the international meetings industry for more than 17 years and brings to his new role a wealth of experience. A Master in Economics, he is also…
Nicolas Le Brun, the new President of the European Federation of the Associations of Professional Congress Organisers has outlined his vision for the next two years. The owner and managing director of the Brussels-based Destree Organisation has been actively involved in the international meetings industry for more than 17 years and brings to his new role a wealth of experience. A Master in Economics, he is also the owner and managing director of Arts Advertising Associated, an advertising agency specialising in fine art and antiques.
He has also served four years as President of BAPCO, the Belgian Association of PCOs, and is a member of the Board of Directors with BITC, Brussels International Tourism & Congress. He was elected as EFAPCO’s new President at a Board meeting held in Frankfurt, during IMEX.
Le Brun said: “Over the last four years, EFAPCO has made tremendous strides in establishing a powerful voice in Europe’s political lobbying corridors, in growing its membership and in giving members invaluable insights into the ways their industry operates in other member countries.
“Our new Board has been charged with a mandate running from now until the middle of 2010. So it is important to stress the Federation’s focal objectives:
- Recognition of the professionalism of European PCOs and their contribution to the success of Europe as the world’s leading meetings destination.
- Continuing development of the European meetings industry.
He added: “The business plan for the coming two years, approved by our General Assembly in Warsaw, identified two tasks as being crucial to the success of our mission:
A. Development of Membership: Only by increasing the number of member states in which we are represented, will EFAPCO broaden its influence and raise its image and validity in the eyes of European institutions. Today we have nine full members – all national associations. We aim to have at least 12 by the end of our term of office. Remember, it took the EU almost 30 years to gather this number of member states.
B. Expansion of Contacts with European Institutions: We have made great efforts – and been successful – in opening EU eyes to EFAPCO. Clearly, the European Commission and other EU institutions, including the Parliament, are going to be crucial partners in us achieving our goals.
“It is also important to underline our belief that EFAPCO’s growth – along with the development of the meetings industry globally – cannot be realised without close collaboration with the other stakeholders in our sector. EFAPCO has found its place in a competitive market because it has never looked to act as an alternative to other existing associations. Our business focus and our primary goals are complementary to other associations and federations and only through co-operation with them, and mutual understanding, will we achieve our objectives.
“I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor and friend, Julio Abreu, for his vision and actions, which have helped EFAPCO to become a recognised and influential organisation in such an exciting and broad-based sector as the meetings industry,” Le Brun added.
EFAPCO’s Board of Directors for the next two years:
- President: Nicolas Le Brun, Belgium
- Vice-President: Irena Sokolowska, Poland
- Vice-President: Helena Weinstein, Portugal
- Treasurer: Gusztav Hencsey, Hungary
- Secretary General: Zacharias Kaplanidis, Greece
EFAPCO’s General Assembly also named Julio Abreu, Spain, as Honorary President.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
