The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) has raised and donated more than £600 to industry charity Meeting Needs and social enterprise EventWell.
The funds have been generated through the association’s annual member engagement survey which aims to better understand its member’s needs and develop methods to deliver on these needs. For every completed survey ABPCO donates £5, which this year has been split between Meeting Needs and social enterprise EventWell.
“On behalf of all the team at EventWell we were delighted to receive a donation from ABPCO which has been put towards the EventWell Connect programme and our free education and support we are delivering during the COVID-19 pandemic," EventWell founder Helen Moon told M&IT.
"Their fantastic donation has covered the cost of the digital event software we are using to deliver this support for the next two months in May and June and will go a long way to supporting the event industry in this difficult period.”
Jo Powel, joint chair of ABPCO added that the association has been focusing on its members and its community over the last couple of months. “Donating these funds to Meeting Needs and EventWell is part of our ongoing commitment to the wider industry, which continues to be a force for good and positive change around the world.”
When all the survey responses are in, they will be used to form a strategy and create plans for ABPCO member activity and engagement in 2020 through to 2021.
This year’s survey will be dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect it’s had on the events industry. However, ABPCO recognises its responsibility in supporting its members through this difficult time and aiding their recovery.
“There has never been a time when it is more important to work together and membership of ABPCO is providing many members with much-needed industry support,” added Powel.
“A key factor of our success has been a willingness to listen to members and respond to their needs dynamically. This has been demonstrated through a swift transition to a virtual programme of events and heightened digital communication.”
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
