The Association of British
Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO), the UK’s only professional body for
association conference and not-for-profit event organisers, has revealed that 57 per cent of its members have a portfolio of events generating
turnover in excess of £1 million.
ABPCO's latest impact survey, which achieved a response rate of over 50 per cent, has been
instrumental in capturing the collective voice of ABPCO’s member activity
throughout 2023 and provides insights into trends for 2024.
Key Highlights from the
ABPCO Impact Survey include:
- Economic
Contribution: ABPCO members have significantly contributed to the UK's growth agenda,
with 85 per cent generating turnover in excess of £500k. Their activities have
supported a broad range of skilled employment opportunities, and
substantial investments in the supply chain.
- Exhibition
and Sponsorship: In 2023, members purchased £23.2 million in exhibition space and generated
£43.2 million of sponsorships, enhancing the professionalism and reach of
their events.
- Event
Engagement: With 3,280 events organised in 2023, attracting 610,000 participants, and 82 per cent of these events being held in-person, ABPCO members have
showcased the importance of events and their ability to engage audiences
across many sectors.
- Industry
Sector Impact: The events organised touched upon critical sectors such as health sciences
and med tech (34 per cent); science, engineering and manufacturing (20%);
professional services, finance and tech (17 per cent); and government (14 per cent).
- National
and International Reach: ABPCO's members hosted 318 national meetings with over
500 delegates, 346 inbound international meetings, and submitted 158
international meeting bids, reinforcing the global influence and
connectivity of the UK association events industry.
- Looking
Forward to 2024: With 2,360 confirmed event bookings and over 6,800 provisional bookings,
ABPCO members are poised for continued growth and success.
Heather Lishman, ABPCO’s association director, said: “ABPCO remains dedicated to supporting its
members through training, development, and community engagement, aiming to meet
the evolving needs of event professionals. The survey’s findings not only reflect
the exceptional contributions of our members to the UK's economic and
professional landscape but also highlight the vibrant future of the events
industry.”
Dr James Musgrave, head of UK Centre for Events Management,
who led the research, said: "We are thrilled with the outstanding
response rate to our inaugural survey. The results underscore the significant
economic impact and leadership role our members play in the broader association
conference and events industry. It is clear that our members are not just
organising events; they are creating substantial economic value, driving
innovation, and fostering professional growth across the UK. This data not only
highlights the achievements of our members but also sets the stage for how we
can collectively support the sector's ongoing development and resilience.”
Lishman added: “ABPCO
looks forward to another year of empowering event professionals, fostering
innovation, and supporting our members as they contribute to the UK economy as
well as our own sector’s growth. ABPCO's continued commitment to excellence and
support for our members ensures that we remain at the forefront of the
industry, setting benchmarks for success and professionalism.”
The research was conducted by
Dr James Musgrave on behalf of ABPCO. Responses were received from 49
in-house and agency PCO members of ABPCO. Only one response was submitted
by each organisation. This represents 50 per cent of ABPCO member
organisation. The final figures were extrapolated from this data.
