Visit Manchester joins top UK conference association

30th March 2010

Manchester has become the first destination in the UK to sign up for a prestigious membership with the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO).   

Membership of ABPCO - which represents UK meetings organisers and their industry partners, as well as those pursuing a career in the meetings industry - is strictly subject to eligibility and is based on an assessment of experience and professionalism. 

Visit Manchester, the tourist board for Greater Manchester, has joined as a corporate member and will now benefit from the strong credibility within the UK business tourism market that ABPCO membership brings. 

ABPCO selects its members based on peer assessment so that clients and suppliers can expect the highest of standards in national and international conferences, seminars, meetings and exhibitions.

Paul Simpson, managing director of Visit Manchester, said: “Manchester was recently named the Best UK Destination at the 2010 Confex Awards and we’re delighted to keep the city at the forefront of business tourism by working with organisations such as ABPCO. 

“This new membership – a first for a UK destination – will ensure that we gain the greatest exposure to the most influential clients in the conference and meetings industry.”  

Rebecca Cadman-Jones, chair of ABPCO, said: “We are delighted to have Manchester on board as a corporate member.  Manchester is a vibrant, forward thinking city and we are looking forward to working closely with them in the future.”

ENDS