ABPCO’s annual Chairmen’s Lunch and Excellence Awards took place at the ICC Wales on Dec. 10 The event was attended by more than 100 guests including in-house and agency PCOs as well as suppliers from across the industry.
The winners were chosen on the day by an audience vote following presentations by finalists in each of three categories. The winners were:
· Best Industry Partner – Manchester Central in partnership with Haymarket
· Best In-house Conference Organizer – National Cancer Research Institute
· Best Agency Conference Organizer – Healthcare Conferences UK
A special Chairmen’s Award was also given to Glasgow Convention Bureau for demonstrating the ABPCO values of excellence, learning and belonging among their clients as part of their campaign People Make Glasgow Healthier, which demonstrated a significant impact on human enrichment.
“These awards represent so much hard work and professionalism from among our members,” comments Jo Powel, ABPCO co-chair. “It is a privilege to welcome so many members, supporters and friends as they come together to celebrate our values and real-life demonstrations of best practice across association events.”
In-house winner Nicole Leida from the National Cancer Research Institute says: “We really focused on making significant changes to the conference this year, which we demonstrated throughout our award entry. I am so pleased we won and look forward to celebrating with the whole team.”
Clare Gallagher from Healthcare Conferences UK, who won the Best Agency award, adds: “As a first-time entrant I am really pleased and overwhelmed to have won this award. The conference had a real impact and I am delighted by this result.”
Elizabeth Conboy from Manchester Central, winner of the Best Industry Partner Award, says: “We are delighted to be part of the ABPCO family, and it is a pleasure to have won the award alongside Haymarket and demonstrate the true meaning of a fruitful partnership.”
Glasgow Convention Bureau won the Chairman’s Award for their People Make Glasgow Healthier campaign which was collected by Helen Davidson, who says: “This campaign is one of the key legacy activities we have delivered for delegates and people in the city, ensuring they are able to make healthier choices at events. Winning this award is a testament to all the hard work and effort everyone has put into making it a success.”
Kate Sargent, ABPCO co-chair, adds: “This event goes from strength to strength and wouldn’t be possible without our supporting venue and destination, which is why I would like to particularly thank ICC Wales, Celtic Manor and VisitWales for their incredible hosting, which included great food, passionate staff and an opportunity to visit one of the UK’s newest venues. Well done to all our worthy winners.”
Ian Edwards, CEO of ICC Wales and Celtic Manor Resort, concludes: “It’s been a great honor for us all at ICC Wales to give a warm Welsh welcome to the 2019 ABPCO Excellence Awards. ABPCO has been one of our greatest supporters from the very beginning of the project, so I’m really pleased that this prestigious ceremony was among the earliest industry events to take place at our newly opened venue. Congratulations to everyone involved and in particular to all those recognized by the awards.”
The Association of British Professional Conference Organizers (ABPCO) is the UK’s leading professional body for association conference and not-for-profit event organization. For more info, visit https://www.abpco.org/
