As we approach the next ABPCO AGM, I’ve been reflecting a lot.
Reflecting on why we decided to join, what I thought it would be, and – if I’m honest – how different the reality has been from my expectations. But, honestly, in the best possible way.
ABPCO members call themselves ‘The Tribe’. When I first heard that, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. Now, after two Festivals of Learning and more conversations than I can count, I completely get it.
The first Festival of Learning: a rabbit in the headlights
I won’t pretend my first Festival of Learning was a confident, polished experience! I arrived not entirely sure what to expect, feeling a little out of my depth, and doing that thing where you scan the room for someone you recognise.
What I didn’t expect was how quickly that feeling went away.
The welcome was genuinely warm – not in a ‘networking event warm’ kind of way, but in a way that felt real. People introduced themselves, asked questions, and shared their own stories. By the end of the first day, I felt like I’d known some of these people for years.
“The first time, I felt like a rabbit caught in the headlights – unsure of what to expect, but soon at ease with the warm welcome.”
By my second Festival, I came prepared. I wanted the information overload. I wanted to absorb as much knowledge and insight as possible, have the conversations I’d been thinking about since the year before, and properly get stuck in.
The Festival of Learning truly lives up to its name. The presentations are inspiring, the conversations are invaluable, and there’s this brilliant collective energy of people who genuinely want to learn from one another. It’s a space where you can share experiences, celebrate growth, and talk honestly about the challenges we all face – without anyone pretending those challenges don’t exist.
Knowledge, support, and collaboration all in one room.
That’s not something you find everywhere.
The Awards: shining a light on what we do
The ABPCO Awards are something else. As someone who works in production (where so much of what we do happens behind the scenes!), there’s something really powerful about seeing the industry come together to celebrate its best work.
The Awards shine a spotlight on the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations across the sector. They highlight talent, innovation, and professionalism in a way that reminds you just how strong and skilled this community is. Whether you’re shortlisted, presenting, or simply in the audience, the energy in the room is something special.
What ABPCO has given us as an Event AV production company
As audio-visual and production specialists, so much of our work takes place behind the scenes. We’re the people making sure the microphones work, the slides run smoothly, and the lighting hits the stage at exactly the right moment. We do our best work when nobody notices we’re there.
But being part of ABPCO has helped me – and us as a team – see the bigger picture. It’s given us a much deeper understanding of the challenges, priorities, and objectives of the event professionals we work alongside. We’re not just thinking about the technical brief; we’re thinking about what the event organiser is trying to achieve, what their members expect, and how we can genuinely contribute to that.
That shift matters. It’s the difference between being a supplier and being a partner.
‘Joining ABPCO has helped us become a stronger partner – delivering greater value for our clients while contributing to the success of the wider industry.”
Why I’d recommend it
If you’re in the events industry – whether you’re an organiser, a supplier, or somewhere in between! – and you’ve been wondering whether ABPCO is worth it; my honest answer is yes.
Not because of what it looks like on a website or a company profile. But because of what happens when you’re actually in the room. The conversations you have, the connections you make, and the way it quietly changes how you think about the work you do.
Joining ABPCO was one of the best decisions we’ve made. It aligns with our values, it challenges us to be better, and it reminds me regularly that we’re part of something much bigger than any single event.
See you at the next AGM!
Working on an association event?
The Conference Works provides AV and production support for association conferences, AGMs, and member events across the UK. If you’d like to talk about your next event, we’d love to hear from you.
