The 2006 conference for members of the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) takes place at the Marriott Highcliff Bournemouth Hotel over the weekend of 27-29 January.

The theme for the conference is ‘Making the Most of Your Business, Your Events, Your Clients’.

It focuses on key issues facing ABPCO members as they seek to maintain and develop the different facets of their business.

It explores the opportunities for generating new business and for collaboration with other entities, as well as taking a detailed look at a range of practical topics to assist PCOs in making the most of their events, their clients and their staff.

While many of the sessions will be led by ABPCO members, to stimulate networking and the sharing of best practice, external speakers are also involved including:

• Scott Taylor, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, who will present ideas on how the relationship between PCO and convention bureau can be maximised for mutual benefit
• Terry Waller, Managing Director of Coverex International, addressing the issues of event and professional indemnity insurance for PCOs.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to tour the new facilities at the Bournemouth International Centre following its £22 million re-development programme, completed in October.

“We already detect great interest in the conference and anticipate a record attendance,” commented Tony Rogers, ABPCO executive director.

“We have adjusted the timing of the conference (in previous years it has been held in March) to make it as accessible to the largest number of members. The programme directly addresses many of the topics and issues confronting UK PCOs at a time of great change, challenge and opportunity for the event management sector.”

Full details of the conference programme may be seen at: http://www.abpco.org/cgi-bin/events/list_events