Association Event Network September | Page 3

Leader Editor’s letter Contents LOOKING AHEAD THE WORLD STILL finds itself in the grip of Covid-19, and confidence seems to ebb and flow. Certainly, it seems like you get a different picture no matter where you look. For the association sector, though, a holding pattern remains. Our cover story this month features a contribution by experienced events man Paul Cook, who asks if it is time for a re-think on legal clauses. We are certainly entering a new era, and matters such as this should not be glossed over. ABPCO’s Heather Lishman once again contributes her thoughts, insisting that despite all the uncertainty, what won’t change is values. Associations play a vital role in the industry’s they serve, and we will need to lead from the front going forward. Certainly that’s the message from ICCA, p6, and that flexibility is key. This issue also celebrates excellence, as we cast our eyes over three ABPCO case studies from the likes of Bioscientifica, Healthcare Conferences UK, and MCI. They make for a timely reminder of just how valuable the association sector really is in bringing people together and facilitating positive change. Brightelm’s Rob Eveleigh is also back in action, tackling two thoughtprovoking subjects no PCO can afford to ignore. Check it out on p18. Martin Fullard Editor, Association Event Network ABPCO comment: values page 5 ICCA: flexibility is key page 6 Case study: Bioscientifica page 8-9 Cover story page 10 Case study: Healthcare UK page 13 Case study: MCI UK&I page 15 Event date change: Geneva page 17 Ask Rob page 18 Digital Website: aenetwork.co.uk Twitter: @aenetwork_uk 3 Editorial Editor: Martin Fullard Business Managing director: Julian Agostini Group publishing director: Liz Agostini Designer: Kateryna Smirnova Production manager: Elizabeth Nixon Subscriptions Subscriptions executive: Matthew Williams Published by Mash Media Second Floor Apple Market House 17 Union Street Kingston Upon Thames KT1 1RP Tel: +44 (0)208 481 1122 Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed by Pensord www.aenetwork.co.uk