IPCAA NEWSLETTER

We welcome Michel Neijmann of the AIM Group as our latest guest author. As change and financial developments continue to impact on medical meetings and the activities of medical societies and associations, this is a timely reminder of how appointed officers of medical disciplines need to consider the focus and strengths of their organisations and those they represent. (We are grateful to Patrizia Semprebene Buongiorno, President of AIM Group, and also current President of IAPCO, for supporting Mr. Neijmann in the provision of this article for IPCAA).

After some years of temporary assignments at congresses and events Michel Neijmann, born in Amsterdam, started his career in the meetings industry with a part-time involvement in the European Society of Cardiology in 1989. Following his graduation from University, Michel joined Congrex Holland in 1997 where he was involved in the organisation of many international congresses. At the end of 2002 he left Congrex to finalise an academic post-graduate course in journalism, whilst accepting an invitation to manage the international affairs of Figür Congress and Organisation Services in Turkey. He moved to Istanbul in the summer of 2003 where he successfully developed the international portfolio and network of Figür. Michel joined the AIM Group in the summer of 2007 as Head of International Affairs with the objective to assist AIM Group in its international development and expansion. He currently acts as the Liaison Officer in the integration process following the synergic merger with AIMS International Group. Michel is a member of MPI, a former IAPCO Council member and at present member of the IAPCO Training Academy.

It is clear that 2009 is a tough year for most commercial enterprises, large and small, but the not-for-profit sector has not escaped the difficulties of recession either. When looking around in the meetings and exhibitions industry, the medical associations deserve a special focus in this respect.

Despite the fact that the medical sector in general has not seen a huge impact on its activities, there are of course concerns at a management level regarding the future sustainability of medical associations. In times of cost reductions and focus on core activities, the 'raison d´être' of an association falls more closely under the scrutiny of its financial supporters, who need more than previously, to justify expenditures. The relationship of these associations and their supporting partners is likely to hit stormy weather, if clear returns on investments seem to be decreasing or are not in evidence.

Fortunately, the meetings and exhibitions industry is an exceptionally dynamic environment and very much used to continuous changes, as well as ever increasing demands. As such, this industry breathes an atmosphere of innovation, which has become a norm, rather than a unique selling point. As it is in the interest of associations to create one or more platforms for their sponsors to facilitate commercial relations between them and the association’s members, there is a clear need for professional organisations that offer solutions in terms of management and services. Hence the fact that AMCs (Association Management Companies) and PCOs (Professional Congress Organisers) have seen a lot of each other in recent years.

Professionals in the service industry know one thing for sure: repeat business is the key to success. It was only natural that PCOs started to convince their clients that long term agreements were in the interest of the association, because of continuity in service and cost saving. Add to that a global increase in international travel, growing experience and management skills, and the Core PCO was born. For a long time, the profitable business partnership between the association, its sponsors and the PCO seemed unbreakable.

Still, the model of an association and Core PCO has the potential to offer all partners appropriate benefits. However, its success has led to the development of another model, in which gradually PCO companies have started to offer the management services that are required to run an association.

On the side of the associations an existing partnership model was further developed as well and took its place within the meetings industry - the association, its sponsors and the AMC, the latter being a commercial organisation offering experienced staff, expertise and efficiency in the daily and strategic management of an organisation. It was perhaps no surprise, that a development of organisational skills and some further reflection resulted in AMCs offering the services required to produce and manage the meeting activities of its medical association clients.

In other words: PCOs developed their activities and became AMCs and vice versa. That metamorphosis however did not always produce ideal results and now we can see the distinction again taking shape. This development is also natural; in fact it shows the level of professionalism that the meetings industry has reached. Certainly for PCOs it is another step on the way to prove the validity of their business profile: a commercial organisation committed to providing meeting management and logistics services. Remember that AMCs are commercial entities, whose primary business is to serve as a headquarters and to provide contracted full service association management to two or more volunteer-governed organisations.

In their endeavours to expand their operations, to develop activities and to achieve satisfaction of both their members and their supporters, medical associations are more than ever challenged to find the best partners, matching their profile, goals and status of development. The international meetings industry offers a huge variety of organisations service packages matching the requirements of medical associations and societies at any stage of growth and with any kind of budget. AMCs and PCOs can be found separately, or within some companies as separate departments, on national and international levels. There are international organisations offering quality standards for both, for example IAPCO and the AMC Institute and they also maintain a good relationship with the commercial entities that provide sponsorship and support.

We may state that 2009 is a difficult year, but it is also a year in which we find that the meeting industry can address any kind of challenge confronting a medical association. There is professional dialogue on an international level between business partners, who despite their different interests look to create solutions for their clients. We live and learn, and today we see a serious and professional market place for all required management services available to medical associations. This enables the main focus of the association to remain exactly where it should be: - on science!