EFAPCO now has its 11th full member. The Federation’s Board welcomed The Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers into its network at its pre-Congress meeting in Brussels.According to President Nicolas Le Brun: “This means the Federation now embraces all national associations of PCOs operating in Europe. Future recruitment will focus on other EU countries where – with some help from EFAPCO – local PCOs form their own associations, and join in with the Federation’s activities.
“Every new member association strengthens our profile within the European meetings and events sector – and enhances our drive to secure proper economic and cultural recognition for our industry from the EU, and in promoting Europe as the world’s leading conference destination.”
The Board approved, unanimously, a new term in office for the current Bureau – to co-ordinate the Federation’s activities for another two years until May 2012.
The EFAPCO Bureau comprises: President, Nicolas Le Brun (Belgium); Vice-Presidents, Irena Sokolowska (Poland) and Helena Weinstein (Portugal); Secretary General, Sissy Lignou (Greece) and Treasurer, Katalin Matray (Hungary).
And Susan Spibey, EFAPCO’s Adviser on Professional Development, has been appointed Chair of a new Special Committee on Standards with a brief including pan-European development of the initiative taken by the UK through the introduction of BS8901 on sustainable events management.
The 2010 Congress, which followed the Assembly, was organised jointly by EFAPCO and BAPCO – the Belgian Association of PCOs. BAPCO President and genial co-host, Sam van de Kerckhof said: “I was absolutely delighted that we welcomed over 180 participants from 17 countries. This record-breaking attendance was generated thanks to tremendous help from fellow BAPCO members, plus support from a strong array of sponsors.”
