Članovi ABPCO-a koji su učestvovali na nedavno održanom okruglom stolu prepoznali su potrebu da konferencije budu fokusirane na razmjenu znanja i učenje, dok su tvrdili da su prihodi od pratećih izložbi često od vitalnog značaja za uspjeh događaja.
As Therese Dolan, joint chair of ABPCO comments: “It is a battle between content and consumerism that has to start with communication and a thorough understanding of the audience. The key issue is to ensure value for all. Content is usually the driver for delegate attendance, but exhibitors need to see footfall and a return on their investment. Association conferences are often accompanied by an exhibition because it adds value to the attendees, whilst bringing in revenues that benefit the association as a whole and sometimes the delegates themselves through reduced conference fees.”
ABPCO’s roundtable events offer a forum for members to gather and share complex ideas and challenges in a safe and private environment. The event took place at the Crowne Plaza London – The City. It was attended by a variety of in-house PCOs seeking to make the most of their conferences and exhibitions. Key outcomes included:
• The need for exhibitions and their revenues to be seen as a key part of an association’s business plan and revenue.
• Greater facilitation of introductions between attendees and exhibitors by organisers.
• Language that reflects the importance of exhibitors – partners or sponsors are perceived to have more value.
• The need for delegates to understand the importance of an exhibition.
• The importance of relevance – both in terms of the knowledge shared in the conference and the choice of exhibitors.
• The challenges that healthcare compliance can place on an exhibition.
Shaun Hinds, izvršni direktor Manchester Centrala, predsjedavao je diskusijom i dodao: „Događaj je bio pravi uspjeh, izazvao je mnogo zanimljivih diskusija. Kao mjesto koje ima privilegiju da ugosti mnoge od vodećih konferencija udruženja u Ujedinjenom Kraljevstvu, pružilo nam je neprocjenjiv uvid o tome kako možemo pomoći organizatorima da rastu i iz godine u godinu održavaju uspješne kongrese.”
Therese concludes “Ultimately it is up to the organisers of a conference to facilitate the success of both conference and exhibition. This roundtable event, like so many others, covered a huge amount of content in a short space of time and offered valuable learning for all in attendance. It was clear though that the most important part of the whole process was the need for communities to gather and communicate. Which, truth be told, is the key element to every successful event.”
