ABPCO Announces 30% Membership Surge and New Leadership at AGM

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ABPCO’s AGM unveiled a vision for 2027, highlighting surging membership growth and strategic initiatives aimed at expanding influence and professional development.

The latest AGM of the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) unveiled an impressive surge in membership, marking a 30% uptick. This remarkable growth underscores ABPCO’s innovative strategies and the tangible benefits it offers its members. Notably, the AGM, held yesterday, not only showcased this substantial rise but also confirmed new leadership roles.

At the helm of ABPCO’s new leadership are two adept co-chairs, each bringing a wealth of expertise and novel insights:

• Sammy Connell, representing NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union
• Pauline Beattie, from Conference Care

These appointments signify a seamless transition following the impactful stewardship of outgoing chairs Emma Duffy from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and Sarah Byrne from Mosaic Events. Their unwavering dedication and astute leadership have played a pivotal role in ABPCO’s recent strides forward.

Sammy and Pauline’s first action was to thank Emma Duffy and Sarah Byrne on behalf of all the membership; “Their contributions have been instrumental in steering the association towards growth and increased influence within the industry. Their leadership has set a solid foundation for us to build on.  We have huge shoes to fill but look forward to the next two years and the delivery of our plans to see ABPCO hit its 2027 goals.”

Looking ahead, ABPCO has charted an ambitious roadmap to elevate its significance and influence within the realm of professional conference organization. Key strategic initiatives include:

1. Membership Expansion: Delving into specific target demographics, refining the value proposition for members, fine-tuning positioning, language, and messaging with the aim of reaching a milestone of 200 PCOs by 2027.
2. Enhanced Segmentation: Collaborating closely with existing members to pinpoint sectors ripe for new membership, thus fostering targeted growth.
3. Amplified External Presence: Broadening ABPCO’s outreach by forging alliances with additional partners, all while upholding its stature as the foremost authority in association event management.
4. Advocacy for PCOs: Cultivating more avenues for ABPCO and its members to feature prominently in industry publications and events, thus solidifying their status as influential voices within the profession.
5. CPD Hub: Cementing ABPCO’s reputation as the go-to hub for Continuing Professional Development, particularly tailored to the needs of PCOs, thereby fostering ongoing learning and advancement within the field.
6. Academic and Student Involvement: Exploring novel avenues for engagement with academia and students through initiatives such as events, guest lectures, and panel opportunities facilitated by ABPCO members, fostering knowledge exchange and mentorship within the next generation of conference organizers.

Heather Lishman, ABPCO’s Association Director, concluded the AGM with an optimistic outlook: “Our significant membership growth and the strong leadership team we have in place are clear indicators of a bright future. We are excited to leverage our past successes and explore new opportunities for growth, innovation, and professional development.”