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BAPCO, the ‘Belgian Association of Professional Conference Organisers’ is a not-for-profit association representing its members in institutional, legal, ethical and associative matters.
In the past year, BAPCO accepted 2 new members bringing the total number of members to lucky 13!
Both Cecoforma of Liege (www.cecoforma.be) and Advanced Fair of Brussels (www.advancedfair.com)  conform to the strict requirements set forth by the association; according to BAPCO’s President, Sam van de Kerckhof, also MD of Meeting Time, 2 more professional conference organisers have submitted their candidature.
He also commented on the high number of pure event organising companies who now feel that the organisation of congresses is also their competence and who have applied for membership of the association; each will be subject to the same rigorous investigation as all previous candidates.
The President also expressed his joy for the recognition that is increasingly being shown for BAPCO and EFAPCO: both are more and more mentioned in official RFP’s, definitely a sign that not only they are taken very seriously, but also that clients at the highest levels have now understood that the protection given by the associations is of great benefit to them and a security that can only be an advantage.
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 VAT is a difficult subject that keeps on coming back every year, unfortunately never with a solution. Three years ago, European Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, EU Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry and Vice-President of the European Commission, is the first to mention the Meetings Industry, which in itself was a breakthrough.
A major role is being played here by EFAPCO (European Federation of the Associations of Professional Congress Organisers) and it’s President Nicolas Le Brun who opened a dialogue with the European authorities and will work hard to keep the channels of communication open. An important signal is the fact that the next EFAPCO congress will take place in Brussels, on Europe’s doorstep so to say...To be continued for certain!
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At the yearly retreat the importance of the client to the association was once more underlined and highlighted. The client is at the very core of the association, the quality label and the competences are all in function of providing the best possible service to all clients.
BAPCO members are continuously looking for improvements and therefore the association organises year round training sessions on hot topics such as VAT or insurances, the latest technology etc.. These training sessions and the association’s other meetings provide an opportunity for social networking. It is also important that more and better education is provided for the future generations of meeting professionals; specific course subjects and well organised apprenticeships are fundamental for the successful growth of our industry. |
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 BAPCO cannot underline enough the importance of the opening of Square for Brussels as a destination! For all meeting professionals in Belgium to be able to optimalise the promotion of Brussels as a first class destination for international, high standing conventions, it was of the utmost importance to have a crown jewel to proudly show off… and that is what we have with Square. There is no denying the beauty of the venue, it is stunning and it has a unique city centre location that many cities will envy us.
Undoubtedly Square will have a starting period with (minor?) difficulties. It will have to adapt certain of its policies and practices as time goes by. But all in all, it is a very serious asset in the promotional package of Brussels and will definitely bring extra opportunities and events to the European Capital.
BAPCO and EFAPCO could not underline the importance of Square in a more efficient way than to select Brussels and Square as the venue of the next EFAPCO convention in January 2010, a moment when the ‘crème de la crème ‘ in the meetings industry will converge on Brussels for their yearly get-together.
BAPCO underlined once more the many assets the destination Brussels has to offer organisers who are spoiled for choice in Europe and beyond and who are not obliged to choose Brussels as a destination for political or other reasons. Brussels, has easy access, a good hotel infrastructure, a wealth in language opportunities, the EU headquarters and now of course…Square! |
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 4th EFAPCO Congress – 7-9 January 2010 – Brussels, Belgium
Sustainability and Competitiveness in the Meetings Industry
Nicolas Le Brun, President of EFAPCO, and MD of Destrée Organisation in Belgium, is rightly proud of being able to welcome his European fellow professionals not only to his city Brussels, but to the brand new convention centre Square. This congress will definitely be the place to be for anybody in the MICE industry, not only for the highly topical programme but also for the necessity in these difficult and critical times to set out a common policy for the survival of our industry.
The central theme “Sustainability and Competitiveness in the Meetings Industry” comes precisely within the remit of the European Union’s DG Enterprise and Industry. A wide range of topics will be tackled by an impressive line-up of keynote speakers who will prompt stimulating interactive debates with delegates including some foremost industry personalities.
Subjects such as
- Technology & new social media: who is in the driving seat?
- Standardisation in the Meeting Industry?
- Vat in Europe for meetings organisers
- How to combine competitiveness and sustainability?
- …and many more; speakers of the highest calibre such as Prof Riccardo Petrella, Adrienne Axler and Eric Everard, set the tone for the level of quality sessions that will be on offer throughout.
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Registration – deadline early rate 31 October
On-line registration is now open at the conference website. Alternatively, you can download the registration form in Word or PDF format and fax it to the Conference secretariat. Hotel accommodation can also be booked from the website.
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Let’s meet in Brussels!
For all information on the congress & registration, go to the congress website at
www.efapco2010.eu |
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