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Recently I attended a conference for meetings managers and venue operators where there was much talk about mainly European professional associations appointing professional conference organisers to manage their events wherever they are in the world.
While there might be some logic in having the core organising activity centralised, this could also have the unintended consequence of homogenising meetings to the extent that the host destination becomes little more than a supplier of beds and transport logistics.
The past two decades has seen an explosion in high tech convention centres worldwide and the development of sophisticated IT that is transforming the way delegates convert information into knowledge and wisdom. With these have come conveniently located hotels and resorts as governments and developers have recognised the significant yield these events provide.
There may be an argument for an external conference planner/manager when it comes to destinations where the infrastructure is lacking, but in a country like Australia it simply makes no sense when there’s an army of suppliers who can deliver a meeting as well, if not better, than those in Europe or North America.
If we become no more than “stuffers” of satchels and co-ordinators of coaches, our relationships will not be of the calibre that has seen this country become one of the world’s powerhouses in the international conference world.
Some of our clients have been with us for upwards of two decades. It has been the recognition that good relationships and communication during the planning and delivery of the events have set these events apart.
Much of this can be ascribed to local knowledge. Even if the host association has a local committee in place, these are often busy professional people and they simply don’t have the expertise of professional conference organisers.
A good PCO will anticipate the needs of their client even before the client is aware of them. If meeting managers are given only a small portion of the business, it’s inevitable that there will be some matters overlooked.
The host organisations – be they international association or corporate meeting – can “disaster-proof” their events by completing due diligence on the companies tendering and then respecting their expertise to deliver the events as agreed.
 For more information, contact Bryan Holliday at ICMS Australasia
at 02 9254-5000. www.icmsaust.com.au
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