Heather Lishman, Association Director, Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO), explains why achieving excellence in event delivery takes meticulous planning, execution, and adherence to best practice.
The industry delivers unforgettable experiences, and as we know, excellence is only achieved by meticulous planning, flawless execution, and adherence to best practice. ABPCO’s members often deliver meetings with high levels of compliance, and so the associations best practice events framework and trusted guidelines are highly valued. ABPCO also believes there are five key areas that make up a Best Practice framework:
Ensuring consistent service quality
Whether it’s a five-star dinner or a corporate conference, standard operating procedures (SOPs), training programmes, skills upgrades and quality checks are cornerstones of best practices that can help ensure uniformity.
Enhancing operational efficiency
Complex logistics and tight deadlines can be stressful, but effective project management, streamlined workflows, and robust communication systems will minimise errors and ensure things come together seamlessly.
Event management software or (CRM) systems, can be a unifying tool that enhances coordination and best practice among teams, reducing manual workload.
Fostering innovation and creativity
Best practice provides a strong foundation for creativity and innovation, allowing planners time to build unique themes and incorporate popular trends like virtual reality experiences. In hospitality, standardised kitchen operations can help chefs to experiment with new cuisines, adding value to the customer experience.
Promoting sustainability and social responsibility
Sustainability – now at the centre of most best practice frameworks – focuses on reducing environmental impact and promoting social responsibility. This can help align businesses with their own values and those of their clients, many of whom prioritise eco-conscious choices and demonstrate a commitment to ethical operation.
Building resilience and adaptability
COVID-19 highlighted the need for resilience in our industry, and best practice can equip businesses with the framework, strategies and tools to adapt to changing circumstances. Crisis management plans, robust health and safety protocols, and a focus on employee well-being are now essential – allowing businesses to pivot quickly, when facing disruptions.
Best practice is the culmination of experience, trial and error, and therefore these guidelines and processes elevate service quality and operational efficiency and foster innovation, sustainability, and resilience. In an industry where details matter, excellence is achieved when every aspect is guided by proven standards.