About ABPCO
The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers Limited (ABPCO) was founded in 1981 and incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in 1987. ABPCO is the UK organisation for Professional Conference and Event Organisers, their industry colleagues and those studying for or pursuing a career in the Meetings Industry. The formation of ABPCO was the result of leading Professional Conference Organisers wishing to harness their collective experience to maintain and enhance the quality standards they set within the meetings industry. ABPCO is one of very few UK conference and event industry associations to select Full and Associate Members based on peer assessment meaning clients and suppliers can expect ABPCO Members to deliver business and ethical standards in the management of national and international association and corporate conferences, seminars, meetings, exhibitions and other events. ABPCO offers Corporate Membership to those organisations working in the conference and event service and supply sectors, Entry Level Membership to those studying for or pursuing a career in the industry and Academy Membership to those academic institutions offering conference, event, tourism and hospitality related courses.
Today the association is thriving, with almost 150 members who organise an estimated 3500 conferences and events a year.
ABPCO Mission Statement
ABPCO's mission is to develop and enhance the professional status of conference and event organisers and increase the recognition given to its members and to ABPCO as the leading representatives of the profession in the British Isles.
Strategic Aims
ABPCO's strategic aims are to:
- position ABPCO as the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and increase its profile and recognition
- constantly develop and enhance the benefits it provides to ABPCO members by creating opportunities for networking and by encouraging its members to achieve the highest possible standard of excellence
- raise standards of professionalism across the meetings industry through the provision of education, training and personal development opportunities
- increase the volume and value of business won by members through a range of marketing activities
Management of ABPCO
ABPCO is managed by Association Management Consultants, Executive Director Lesley Maltman and Association Manager Nicola Kayes. The activities of the Association are overseen and directed, on behalf of the members, by an Executive Committee which currently comprises:
Chair
Michael Foreman, Kenes UK
Vice Chair
Jennifer Jenkins, MCI UK Ltd
Executive Committee
- Kerrin MacPhie, The ACC Liverpool (Treasurer) – Corporate Member Representative
- Martin Jack, Think Different Events – Full Member Representative
- Sue Reay, Benchmark Communications – Full Member Representative
- Anthony Lishman, Conference Centres of Excellence – Corporate Member Representative
- Mike Lyon, Write Style Communications – Friend Member Representative
- Martin Boyle, Congrex UK Ltd - Co-opted Full Member Representative
- Chris Garrett, British Association of Dermatologists - Co-opted Full Member Representative