Conference Partners was awarded the ‘Best Conference by an Agency Conference Organiser’ at the ABPCO Excellence Awards 2016. The announcement was made during the ABPCO Chairmen’s Lunch & Excellence Awards in Manchester Central before an audience of 80 association professionals on Friday, 9th December 2016.
Conference Partners was shortlisted to present their submission on the delivery of one of Europe’s leading science conferences, the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) 2016 and was awarded based on the event’s lasting impact and attendee votes secured on the day. In partnership with the University of Manchester, Manchester City Council supported by Marketing Manchester, local government, the European Commission and many commercial organisations, Conference Partners successfully delivered ESOF 2016 in Manchester Central between 23 and 27 July. The UK has a world renowned reputation for scientific endeavour, medical discoveries, innovative technologies and an entrepreneurial spirit and this was the first time that ESOF was held in a UK city, attracting 3,542 delegates from 80 countries, 800 international speakers and 64 exhibitors.
For 4 days, this global gathering of Nobel laureates, leading researchers, policy makers, business leaders, international media and general public enjoyed a rich platform for debate and exchange of ideas on a variety of topical issues. The conference featured keynote addresses delivered by renowned Manchester physicist, presenter and author, Professor Brian Cox, UK national treasure, Sir David Attenborough and a live video link with Tim Peake, a UK astronaut.
Conference Partner’s Managing Director, Nicola McGrane said: “The ABPCO Excellence Awards celebrates the demonstration of excellence and leadership in association conference and event organisation, so it is a genuine honour for Conference Partners to receive this accolade. We believe ESOF 2016 topped its forerunners based on exceptional planning, management and implementation but most of all, its impact in terms of delegate satisfaction, cost-effectiveness and legacy to the city of Manchester. The most rewarding element for Conference Partners was the successful collaboration between the city stakeholders, industry, academia and the professional suppliers who helped us to deliver the event and the collective talent that worked together to create ESOF 2016, the most successful conference in the history of the EuroScience Open Forums”.