A survey has given a glimpse into the sales activity of professional
conference organisers (PCOs) – or at least those based in the UK – and the
results show a majority hitting seven figures.
More than half (57%) of the organisational members of ABPCO (the
Association of British Professional Conference Organisers) had a portfolio of
events worth more than £1m.
And 85 per cent could boast turnover above £500k.
The survey, which achieved a response rate of over 50 per
cent, examined ABPCO member activity throughout 2023 and provides insights into
trends for 2024.
ABPCO’s members specialise in association and not-for-profit
conferences and include in-house planners who work for national and international
associations based in the UK.
Survey highlights
Members bought £23.2m in exhibition space last year and
generated £43.2m in sponsorship.
They organised 3,280 events (most of them - 82% - in-person),
which attracted 610,000 delegates. These included 318 national meetings and 364
in-bound international meetings.
Clients were from various sectors: health sciences and med
tech (34%); science, engineering and manufacturing (20%); professional services
and tech (17%); and government (14%).
Some 2,360 events were confirmed for 2024 with 6,800
provisional bookings in the pipeline.
Heather Lishman, ABPCO’s association director, said: “The
survey’s findings not only reflect the exceptional contributions of our members
to the UK's economic and professional landscape but also highlight the vibrant
future of the events industry.”
Dr James Musgrave, head of UK Centre for Events Management,
who led the research added: "The
results underscore the significant economic impact and leadership role our
members play in the broader association conference and events industry.
“It’s clear that our members are not just organising events;
they are creating substantial economic value, driving innovation, and fostering
professional growth across the UK.
“This data not only highlights the achievements of our
members but also sets the stage for how we can collectively support the
sector's ongoing development and resilience.”
Responses were received from 49 in-house and agency PCO
members of ABPCO - 50 per cent of ABPCO’s organisation members. Only one response was submitted by each organisation.
The final figures were extrapolated from this data.
