ABPCO has awarded 25 of the UK’s top events and conferencing students with free entry level membership as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations in 2012. The chosen students were all nominated for free membership by their respective universities in an initiative which followed ABPCO’s inaugural award for Academic Excellence which was presented to Annie Metcalfe of Leeds Metropolitan University at ABPCO’s annual conference gala dinner held at St Paul’s Cathedral in January.
Jennifer Jenkins, ABPCO Vice Chair leading the initiative, said: “These students were all nominated for their outstanding academic achievements. In recognition of some of the brightest new talent on the verge of entering the events and conferencing industry, ABPCO wanted to award these places to top students in keeping with our goals of promoting excellence in conferencing and events.”
Quality student placement scheme developed
ABPCO has further strengthened its offer for students by fostering quality work placements for all entry-level members. PCOs, agencies and corporate members of ABPCO are encouraged to provide quality, meaningful work placements to willing and able events students as part of ABPCO’s latest initiative.
Jennifer Jenkins added: “There are many young people entering our industry who are extremely capable and yet struggle to find suitable work placements. ABPCO believes that appropriate, quality work placements should be more widely available to our students in the UK and we are actively encouraging our members to offer these to our entry-level members.”
ABPCO recently appointed Judith Robinson of Leeds Met as its first student representative to the committee. Judith commented: “ABPCO is certainly making a significant contribution towards ensuring that students have access to quality opportunities and relevant experience. I was inspired to join ABPCO following attending its annual conference in Manchester last year and am delighted to be taking an active role in developing its student initiative.”
ABPCO has launched a Facebook group for entry level members and is producing regular newsletters flagging events, networking opportunities and work placements for students. The Association is planning to further develop its offer over the coming months. Further information is available at www.abpco.org or via the ABPCO student Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/entrylevelmembers.
The selected students hail from the following Universities: Leeds Metropolitan University; Regents College London; Sheffield Hallam; Queen Margaret University; University of the West of Scotland; Liverpool John Moores University; University of Winchester; Warwickshire College; Robert Gordon University; Belfast Met College; and the University of Westminster.
