The ABPCO Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate industry best practice in association and not-for-profit conferences and events. They are an opportunity to showcase the incredible work that is being undertaken in this sector, and the positive impact that it has.
Our event will take place at Manchester Central in Manchester on the 11th-12th December 2025, kindly supported by Manchester Central. We plan a really special time with networking, education and celebration. It really is a time for the best of our industry to come together and shout from the rooftops about what they do. Thanks to Harrogate Convention Centre for sponsoring the welcome drinks on the 12th December and MICE Concierge for sponsoring the networking supper on the 11th. Also a big shout out to the Royal Armouries, Leeds for being our Student Support Sponsor.
See our photo gallery for the 2024 awards, expertly photographed by Simon Callaghan here ABPCO Excellence Awards 2024
We will have 15 categories of winners to announce at our awards ceremony at Manchester Central on the 12th from 12-3.30pm, in the following categories.
Best International Conference - sponsored by Boardroom magazine
Best Digital & Technology Provider Live Recruitment
Best Member Engagement - sponsored by Memcom
Student of the Year - sponsored by Royal Armouries, Leeds
Best Event by an In-house PCO
Best Event by an Agency PCO
Industry Supplier of the Year
Best Association Events Team
Rising Star
Guiding Star
Best EDI at a Conference - sponsored by Meet Cambridge
Best Sustainable Conference
Legacy and Impact Award
Best Partnership
Outstanding Contribution - sponsored by MICE Concierge
The awards will take place at lunchtime on Friday 12th December with a pre-lunch reception sponsored by Harrogate Convention Centre, and will be preceded by an informal networking event on the previous night, sponsored by MICE Concierge. Please see the location tab for details of local hotels offering special rates. The event tech is being sponsored by Cvent.
The cost for members is £75 ex VAT, non-members £125 ex VAT and students £35 ex VAT.
The price includes:
The newcomer drinks (for our first time attendess)
The evening networking reception and supper
The education sessions on the 12th
The pre-lunch reception
The sit-down awards lunch.
Accommodation is available at a special rate - please see the schedule tab or location tab for details.
Thank you to our Industry Partners
Become a sponsor
This annual gathering attracts industry leaders, association professionals, and key decision-makers, offering a unique platform to enhance your brand's visibility, engage with influential stakeholders, and contribute to the future of professional conferences and events. A range of packages including the headline sponsor are still available.
Please see our prospectus here, and revert to the website to see which packages have already been snapped up! As of April 24 - we just have the Headline sponsor, the Newcomers' reception and a few category sponsors left.
To discuss sponsorship opportunities and prices email heatherlishman@abpco.org.
Directions to Manchester central can be seen here
Manchester Central, Petersfield, Manchester M2 3GX
Accommodation
Marketing Manchester Convention Bureau is the official accommodation provider for ABPCO Excellence Awards 2025.
All rooms are held on an on-line system, allowing you to book and secure your own accommodation using either pro-forma invoices or credit/debit card. If you require any assistance with your reservation, support is available via the Accommodation Booking Team.
To book accommodation for this event, please use the following link: https://book.passkey.com/e/50849771
Negotiated delegate rates will be available to book until the end of the day on 13th November 2025. so please book as soon as possible to guarantee a room. If you have any queries about the website, please contact Marketing Manchester Convention Bureau.
About Manchester
For more information on Manchester as a destination please log onto https://www.meetinmanchester.com/ ; here you will discover all things to do in Manchester - from events and attractions to fine dining and a great night out.
Download a digital version of the city centre map
For city transport information please see tfgm.com
Contacts
Should you have any queries, please contact Manchester Convention Bureau at abs@visitmanchester.com.
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Delegate Terms and Conditions
Delegate Terms and Conditions
Cancellation or postponement of event
In the unlikely circumstance that ABPCO has to cancel the event, we will refund the full cost of any pre-paid registration fees. ABPCO shall not be liable for reimbursing the cost of travel or accommodation arrangements booked by those attending an ABPCO event.
In the event of a postponement, all tickets will automatically be valid for the new date, or transferable to someone else in the same ticket pricing bracket. Refunds will be available if you are unable to make the new event date.
ABPCO reserve the right to change the event venue within 10 miles of the advertised venue.
Cancellation of attendance at an event
Please let us know if you cannot attend an ABPCO event as soon as possible by emailing heatherlishman@abpco.org
Where a fee has been charged, you will be reimbursed as follows:
For cancellations on or prior to 12th November 2025, a 50% refund will be given.
For cancellations received on or between 13 November 2025 and 11th December 2025, no refund will be given, but name substitutions can be made at any time.
To cancel a booking email heatherlishman@abpco.org
Name changes
Tickets are transferable: it will be possible to amend the name on your ticket to a colleague within the same ticket pricing bracket at any time.
To arrange for a name change contact heatherlishman@abpco.org
Payments and payment methods
From 01 Decmber 2025 onwards, only credit card payments will be accepted for new bookings. If we have not received payment to cover the total cost of all bookings under your contact details on or before 10th December 2025, we reserve the right to refuse entry to the event.
Force Majeure
For the purposes of these terms and conditions, "force majeure" means any cause beyond our reasonable control including, but not limited to, war, acts of terrorism, governmental requirements, acts of local or central government or other competent authorities, acts of God and industrial disputes.
We will not be liable to you for failure to perform any obligation under these terms and conditions or in relation to your booking to the extent that the failure is caused by force majeure.
Conditions of attendance
You must comply with instructions and directions given by staff, ABPCO and stewards and agents of the venue (where relevant) and any applicable policies and procedures of which you are notified.
We reserve the right to refuse access to, or remove any delegate from any ABPCO event who, in our reasonable opinion has, or is likely to affect the experience of the other delegates, in our reasonable opinion is acting under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or who uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or who behaves in a manner which may cause a breach of the peace.
ABPCO is dedicated to creating and maintaining a positive event experience where everyone is treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.
Any discriminatory language and imagery are not appropriate at any ABPCO event, including in presentation material. Violation of these rules could result in exclusion from the event without a refund.
ABPCO are committed to and actively encourage diversity and promote inclusion and accessibility at our events.
We value the participation of each individual and want everybody to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. All communication and behaviour should therefore be appropriate for a professional audience.
By attending an ABPCO event, you’re agreeing to respect and be kind to everybody, regardless of their gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other aspect of what they look like, where they come from or who they are.
For further information and our full code of conduct please visit our website.