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ABPCO Excellence Awards 2024

ABPCO Excellence Awards 2024

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The ABPCO Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate industry best practice in association and not-for-profit conferences and events.  They are an opportunity to showcase the incredible work that is being undertaken in this sector, and the positive impact that it has.

Our event took place in Blackpool on the 12th-13th December 2024, kindly supported by our headline sponsor the Royal Armouries.  We had a really special time with networking, education and celebration.  It really was a time for the best of our industry to come together and shout from the rooftops about what they do.

See our photo gallery, expertly photographed by Simon Callaghan here ABPCO Excellence Awards 2024

We had 15 categories of winners to announce at our awards ceremony at the Winter Gardens on the 13th from 12-3.30pm, in the following categories.  The winner has been highlighted.

New for 2024...

Best International Conference  - sponsored by Boardroom Magazine

  • Conference Partners International for Transport Research Arena 2024
  • ISHA Annual Scientific Meeting 2023
  • SESAM Annual Meeting 2024 by Worldspan

Best Digital & Technology Provider - sponsored by Conference News

  • First Sight Media for NHS Confed Expo 2024
  • Crowdcomms for the UK Stroke Forum 2023
  • Cvent with NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union

Best Member Engagement - sponsored by Memcom

  • CITMA - The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys
  • MCI UK

Student of the Year  - sponsored by ACC Liverpool

  • Emelia Sharp
  • Alba Betancort
  • Arryann Duncan
  • Abigail Courage

And all of our other awards.....

Best Event by an In-house PCO - sponsored by Barbican

  • ISHA Annual Scientific Meeting 2023
  • Alzheimer’s Society Annual Conference 2024
  • CIPP Annual Conference and Exhibition
  • The Leadership Awards 2023 by the Institute of leadership
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists International Congress 2024

Best Event by an Agency PCO - sponsored by Full Circle

  • RCGP ACE 2023 by Wonderly (part of Haymarket Media Group Ltd)
  • Northern Ireland Investment Summit, delivered by Event-ful on behalf of DBT, Invest NI and Northern Ireland Office
  • Fertility 2024 by Seren Events

Industry Supplier of the Year - sponsored by Soaring Worldwide

  • Barbican Business Events
  • Harrogate Convention Centre
  • Whitespace XPO
  • GES

Best Association Events Team - sponsored by Olympia

  • RenewableUK
  • AUGIS
  • Alzheimer’s Research UK
  • Mosaic Events

Rising Star  - sponsored by Abstract Events

  • Chloe Turner, ICC Wales
  • Kaylie Hodges, NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union

Guiding Star  - sponsored by ExCeL London

  • Emma Robson, Alzheimer’s Research UK
  • Danielle Bounds, ICC Wales
  • Sue Etherington, Barbican Business Events

Best EDI at a Conference 

  • NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union
  • Mosaic Events

Best Sustainable Conference - sponsored by P&J Live, Aberdeen

  • The team behind the AOC Annual Conference – Association of Colleges, Carbon Consultancy and the ICC Birmingham
  • Renewable UK – Global Offshore Wind 2024

Legacy and Impact Award - sponsored by Manchester Central

  • ISHA Annual Scientific Meeting 2023
  • The ongoing impact of the International Foundation for Integrated Care’s Conference, ICIC23 Conference, in Antwerp, Flanders
  • British Hip Society Schools Engagement – why be a Surgeon? MICE Organiser Ltd
  • Alzheimer’s Research UK Conference 2024:  Leaving a Legacy in Liverpool
  • A shared vision for the ESCRS IOL Calculator by MCI UK

Best Partnership - sponsored by International Confex

  • NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union go GREEN with Greengage Solutions
  • The RCPCH 2024 Conference – a bright new partnership with Wonderly
  • ESPO (European Society of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology) and Abbey Conferences
  • EICC’s Exchange Initiative – Bridging the gap between academia and the meeting industry

Outstanding Contribution - sponsored by MICE Concierge Ltd was awarded on the day to Danielle Bounds, ICC Wales

The awards took place at lunchtime on Friday 13th December with a pre-lunch reception sponsored by Harrogate Convention Centre, and were preceded by an informal networking event on the previous night sponsored by Meet Blackpool.  The awards took place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.   The event tech is being sponsored by MICE Concierge and the Video Production Sponsor is First Sight Media

The cost for members is £75, non-members £125 and students £35.  The visit to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is an additional £10. 

The price includes:

  • The newcomer drinks (for our first time attendess)
  • Transport from the Holiday Inn to Showtown for a short reception
  • Transport to the Winter Gardens for the evening reception and supper
  • The education sessions on the 13th
  • The pre-lunch reception
  • The sit-down awards lunch. 

Accommodation is available at a special rate - please see the schedule tab or location tab for details.

If you are looking for sponsorship opportunities - please download our pack

Thank you to our Industry Partners

 

 

Organised by: Heather Lishman of ABPCO
Phone Number: 07818287086

Thursday 12th December

13:00 - 15:00 Optional theatre trip - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (£10 supplement)

14:00 - 16:00 ABPCO Executive meeting at the Holiday Inn Blackpool

14:00 - 15:00 Optional trip to the top of Blackpool Tower and to see the Ballroom

17:00 - 17:30 First-timers welcome reception at the Holiday Inn Blackpool

17:30 - 18:00 Transport for all delegates from the Holiday Inn to Showtown, with a sneak peek at the illuminations - sponsored by Meet Blackpool

18:00 - 19:00 Networking Reception at Showtown

19:00 - 19:15 Bus back to the Spanish Hall at the Winter Gardens

19:15 - 22:00 An informal networking supper and some seaside fun and games.  Sponsored by Meet Blackpool.

We have a special rate at the Holiday Inn Blackpool of £110 per person B&B - please see the location page for details

Friday 13th December

 07:45 for 08:00  Join us for a friendly "chatty pace" run in Blackpool. Meeting point 7:45 for an 8am depart at Holiday Inn.  Please register here

09:30 - 10:00 Tour of the Winter Gardens - please meet at the front entrance 

10:30 - 11:30 Our education sessions - please choose when booking!

Expert Panel and Interactive Discussion:  CSR Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges - join us for an in-depth exploration of current trends and emerging opportunities in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).  Our expert panel chaired by Judith Dix of Conference Care Ltd will dive into key themes such as sustainability and green initiatives, the growing focus on neurodiversity, and sustainable transportation.  This interactive session will not only highlight these pressing topics but also encourage open dialogue, allowing participants to share insights, ask questions, and collaborate on actionable strategies.  Don't miss this opportunity to engage with thought leaders and peers as we navigate the evolving landscape of CSR together.  With thanks to our panel: Garth Halliday of RenewableUK, Elaine Miller of the EICC, Jo Austin of Lime Venue Portfolio, Jane Cole, Blackpool Transport and Kirstin Aram of Worldspan.

Conquer Challenges Together:  The Power of Collaboration - ABPCO is calling for your challenges!  In the face of complex challenges, many heads are better than one.  The key to unlocking innovative solutions lies in the collective experience within the room.  By pooling knowledge, experience and ideas, we can overcome obstacles more effectively.  Let's harness our shared strength and collaborate to find solutions.  Let us know your challenge, and we will try and incorporate it into the programme - please email by Friday 15th November

11:30 - 12:15 - A pre-lunch networking and drinks reception sponsored by Harrogate Convention Centre.  Join us as the excitement mounts for the awards ceremony.

12:15 - 15:30 - The 2024 ABPCO Excellence Awards and lunch kindly sponsored by Royal Armouries.  Join us to celebrate the best in our industry.  Come together to honour the outstanding professionals and groundbreaking innovations that are pushing the boundaries in our industry.  The ABPCO Excellence Awards celebrate those who have gone above and beyond, setting new standards in our industry.  Winning isn't just about recognition; it's a testament to the hard work, creativity, and passion that drives us all.

 

Directions for the Winter Gardens are here

The adress is Winter Gardens, 97 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1HL

The recommended car park is Alfred Street car park (blackpool.gov.uk)

We have a special rate at the Holiday Inn, 85 Talbot Road, Blackpool, FY1 1LL

£110 B&B - to book please use this link.

Please note if you are looking to amend the stay dates, please select ‘Change Search’ and enter the date range which applies for your booking. Should the system ask for your group code, please enter – AEA

Reservations for the above Event, will need to be made via the booking link above. Should you need any support in making a reservation please contact Shaun Wignall (groups & Events) via Groups@hiblackpool.com or 01253 208040.

 

Prices

Please find a list of tickets for this event below.

Ticket Price
Academic Student Member with the theatre £45.00
Academic Student Member without the theatre £35.00
Member with the theatre £85.00
Member without the theatre £75.00
Non-member with the theatre £135.00
Non-member without the theatre £125.00

Attendees

The following delegates are already attending this event.

Ms Kirstin Aram

Ms Kirstin Aram

Worldspan Ltd

Mrs Tracey Astles

Mrs Tracey Astles

Royal Armouries

Mr Adam Baggs

Mr Adam Baggs

Soaring Worldwide

Ms Pauline Beattie

Ms Pauline Beattie

Conference Care Ltd

Mr Rich Belcher

Mr Rich Belcher

First Sight Media

Ms Alba Betancort

Ms Alba Betancort

Nottingham Venues

Ms Emily Bexley

Ms Emily Bexley

Manchester Central Convention Centre

Mrs Hannah Beynon

Mrs Hannah Beynon

DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole

Mr Mark Blair

Mr Mark Blair

InEvexco Ltd

Ms Katie Bolton

Ms Katie Bolton

RNIB

Mr Andrew Bowers

Mr Andrew Bowers

MICE Concierge Ltd

Mr Benjamin Campbell

Mr Benjamin Campbell

Royal Armouries

Ms Liz Conboy

Ms Liz Conboy

RenewableUK

Mrs Sammy Connell

Mrs Sammy Connell

NASUWT - The Teachers' Union

Ms Jo Cooper

Ms Jo Cooper

MICE Concierge Ltd

Miss Abigail Courage

Miss Abigail Courage

Leeds Beckett

Ms Alison D'Allessandro

Ms Alison D'Allessandro

ACC Liverpool

Mr Steven Daun

Mr Steven Daun

ASM Global

Mr Jake Dennett

Mr Jake Dennett

Cvent

Ms Jemima Dewhurst

Ms Jemima Dewhurst

Manchester Central

Mrs Sarah Dietrich

Mrs Sarah Dietrich

Warwick Conferences

Ms Therese Dolan

Ms Therese Dolan

Therese Dolan Ltd

Mrs Emma Duffy

Mrs Emma Duffy

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Miss Arryann Duncan

Miss Arryann Duncan

P&J Live

Mr Raymond Elferink

Mr Raymond Elferink

Kubify

Mrs Gaynor England

Mrs Gaynor England

Abstract Events

Mrs Sue Etherington

Mrs Sue Etherington

Barbican

Mr Laird Faichney-Smith

Mr Laird Faichney-Smith

Abbey Conference & Events

Ms Olivia Garvey

Ms Olivia Garvey

Manchester Central

Ms Rosalind Godfrey

Ms Rosalind Godfrey

Telford International Centre

Mr Garth Halliday

Mr Garth Halliday

RenewableUK

Ms Louise Harrison

Ms Louise Harrison

Royal Armouries

Mrs Anna Hellawell

Mrs Anna Hellawell

MICE Concierge Ltd

Mrs Fiona Hims

Mrs Fiona Hims

NAHT

Ms Kaylie Hodges

Ms Kaylie Hodges

NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union

Ms Anne Jamison

Ms Anne Jamison

The Event-ful Consultancy

Miss Sarah Jones

Miss Sarah Jones

The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals

Mr Ian Kidson

Mr Ian Kidson

Harrogate Convention Centre

Ms Bethany Kilmartin

Ms Bethany Kilmartin

RenewableUK

Mr Steve Knight

Mr Steve Knight

Birmingham and West Mildands Convention

Ms Dawn Lauder

Ms Dawn Lauder

Scottish Event Campus

Ms Jessica Letters

Ms Jessica Letters

Royal College of Psychiatrists

Mrs Heather Lishman

Mrs Heather Lishman

ABPCO

Ms Caroline Mackenzie

Ms Caroline Mackenzie

ISHA - The Hip Preservation Society

Ms Madalina Marincas

Ms Madalina Marincas

Opening Doors and Venues Ltd

Mrs Rebecca Martin

Mrs Rebecca Martin

The Institute of Leadership

Mr Johnny Martinez

Mr Johnny Martinez

Crowdcomms

Ms Ella Mayo

Ms Ella Mayo

Manchester Central Convention Centre

Ms Elaine Miller

Ms Elaine Miller

EICC

Ms Sarah Millington

Ms Sarah Millington

The Belfry Hotel & Resort

Mr Jai Mistry

Mr Jai Mistry

MICE Organiser Ltd

Ms Rachael Molyneux

Ms Rachael Molyneux

ACC Liverpool

Miss Rachel Mumford

Miss Rachel Mumford

VisitAberdeenshire

Mrs Charlotte O'Sullivan

Mrs Charlotte O'Sullivan

Royal Armouries

Ms Ashleigh Parker

Ms Ashleigh Parker

First Sight Media

Ms Nicola Pearce

Ms Nicola Pearce

University of Aberdeen

Ms Leanne Planche

Ms Leanne Planche

ACC Liverpool

Mrs Marion Rankin

Mrs Marion Rankin

James Hallam Limited

Mrs Emma Robson

Mrs Emma Robson

Alzheimer's Research UK

Mrs Gemma Savage

Mrs Gemma Savage

ICC Wales

Ms Chrissy Schroeder

Ms Chrissy Schroeder

Abbey Conference & Events

Ms Jade Simmons

Ms Jade Simmons

Leonardo Hotels

Mr Charlie Smith

Mr Charlie Smith

Barbican Centre

Mr Elliott Smith

Mr Elliott Smith

MICE Concierge Ltd

Ms Melissa Sobo

Ms Melissa Sobo

Nottingham Venues

Ms Malwina Soltys

Ms Malwina Soltys

Alzheimer's Research UK

Ms Shelley Spencer

Ms Shelley Spencer

Fitwise

Mr Paul Swain

Mr Paul Swain

Visit Flanders

Mr Kane Thomas

Mr Kane Thomas

Full Circle Events & Exhibitions

Ms Phillipa Thompson

Ms Phillipa Thompson

Worldspan Ltd

Ms Rebecca Towell

Ms Rebecca Towell

Full Circle Events & Exhibitions

Ms Tamsin Treasure-Jones

Ms Tamsin Treasure-Jones

Kubify

Ms Chloe Turner

Ms Chloe Turner

ICC Wales

Mrs Karen Usmani

Mrs Karen Usmani

The Institute of Leadership

Miss Sarah Vaughan

Miss Sarah Vaughan

The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys

Ms Corinne Weatherup

Ms Corinne Weatherup

The Event-Ful Consultancy

Ms Heledd Williams

Ms Heledd Williams

MeetInWales | Event Wales | Welsh Government

Ms Caroline Windsor

Ms Caroline Windsor

TFI Lodestar

Ms Kerry Wright

Ms Kerry Wright

Lime Venue Portfolio

Mrs Sarvjit Wunsch

Mrs Sarvjit Wunsch

AUGIS

Mrs Jenni Yau

Mrs Jenni Yau

ICC Belfast

Ms Kerstyn Zeslawski

Ms Kerstyn Zeslawski

NEC Group

Name Organisation
Mrs Liz Agostini Conference News
Miss Lynsey Aspinall Manchester Central
Mr Simon Callaghan Simon Callaghan Photography
Ms Judith Dix Conference Care
Ms Sandra Eyre Meetings Industry Association
Mr Tom Forshaw Manchester Central
Ms Christie Gaskin Hilton Birmingham Metropole
Mrs Charlotte Gough MCI UK
Mr Nick Graham Olympia Events
Mr Laurance Hancock The Boathouse Youth
Mr Ciaran Hodgers Association of Colleges
Ms Jill Houlahan ICC Belfast
Mrs Hayley Kay ABPCO
Ms Rebecca Kilby GES
Miss Eileen Law MCI UK
Mr Howard Lawton Connex Promotions
Miss Hayley Love ABPCO
Mr Jack Mabbett De Vere
Ms Jessica Mason-Rawle The NEC Group
Miss Rachael Masson P&J Live
Mrs Sarah McGovern Seren Events
Mr Conor Meany Conference Partners International
mr Ged Mills winter gardens
Mr Lee Morgan-Jones James Hallam
Mr Richard Morris Active Media Events Ltd
Mrs Catherine Newhall-Caiger Bramcote International
Ms Debra Nightingale All Bright Communications Ltd
Mr Jonathan Pagden The Voiceologist
Mr David Parker The Royal College of Physicians
Miss Sigita Pjampite Switch Hospitality Management Ltd
Ms Leonie Postma Conference Partners International
Ms Alison Roddam Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Miss Vanessa Russell ICC Wales
Miss Emelia Sharp N/A
Mr Steven Slesser Crowdcomms
Miss Kayleigh Smith The Boathouse Youth
Mr Iain Stirling International Confex
Miss Sophie Tanner Shooting Star Children's Hospices
Ms Rebecca Thompson Winter Gardens Blackpool
Mr Nick Tinker Cvent
Mrs Julie Vincent BECL/Meet Blackpool
Miss Helen Wormall Mosaic Events
Ms Emilly Wright Harrogate Convention Centre
Miss Kiya Wright Telford International Centre
Mrs Aziza Yessi Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel
Ms Lauren Zaremba GES

Delegate Terms and Conditions

All payments to be made in advance.  Substitutions can be made up until the 1st December.

Cancellations received in writing before the 29th November can be refunded.  No refunds will be made for cancellations less than two weeks prior to event or for non-attendance.  

ABPCO are committed to and actively encourage diversity and promote inclusion and accessibility at our events. 

We value the participation of each individual and want everybody to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. All communication and behaviour should therefore be appropriate for a professional audience.

By attending an ABPCO event, you’re agreeing to respect and be kind to everybody, regardless of their gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other aspect of what they look like, where they come from or who they are.

For further information and our full code of conduct please visit our website here.

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