Over the coming months the PCO Association will continue to profile one of the association’s Certified Event Companies (CEC) by way of a Q & A.
In this inter
view, Leanne Gollasch from Conference Logistics answers our questions on what it means to be a Certified Event Company (CEC) with the PCO Association.
Conference Logistics is a leading Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) based in Canberra, with offices in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, employing 13 staff. We have successfully managed a wide range of conferences and events over a variety of industries since 1990.
Conference Logistics has highly developed skills in all areas of managing events, refined over 27 years industry experience across a wide variety of clients and events. In addition to our technical skills, we have learnt that successful event management is about knowing and understanding our client’s objectives, excellent communication skills and mutual respect between both parties. We then add to that our ideas, creativity, years of practical experience and enthusiasm resulting in very successful conferences and significant ‘repeat’ business.
Q: How many years have you been trading as an Event Management Company?
A: 27 years – Conference Logistics was established in 1990
Q: What does being a Certified Event Company (CEC) mean to your business?
A: Being a CEC brings many benefits to not only our business, but to our clients. The CEC qualification brings greater assurance and risk aversion as our clients understand that an accredited organisation has undergone stringent, independent analysis to meet best practice standards across the events industry.
Improved operational efficiency is another outcome as we need to prove we have effective and efficient management systems in place. Greater efficiency means better performance, less waste, lower costs and greater profitability.
Overall being a CEC brings a high level of assurance to our clients, stakeholders and staff that we can get the job done in the most professional and effective manner possible and deliver the outcome required for our clients.
Q: What were some of the challenges you faced when applying for your CEC?
A: Without a doubt, time. The process is stringent and time consuming, which it needs to be. The difficulty is finding the time to get all the information together while still managing the events and day to day activities. However, it is a great opportunity to refresh and update management processes and workplace manuals to ensure they are up to date with best practice standards.
Q: Name your three main reasons why an Event Company should be accredited
A:
1. Client assurance – it gives clients a peace of mind that your business holds itself to the highest professional standards and can get the job done.
2. Productivity – effective management processes and systems add to increased productivity as we are committed to the highest quality business practices.
3. Employees – without them we don’t exist, so being a CEC brings stability to the workplace as our staff know we are leading the way in how we do our job. People tend to be happier in a workplace that values what they do and are invested in the professional development of their staff.
Accreditation provides both clients and industry with an assurance that the event management business they are or could be dealing with is committed to the highest quality event management business practices, consistency and reliability in the delivery of services, professional standards and dedication to continuous improvement.
The PCO Association CEC Program is independently audited.
For a company to be awarded CEC accreditation it must have a minimum of one Certified Event Manager (CEM) employed in the business and additionally satisfy criteria that is audited by an independent certified practicing (CPA) accountant.
Accreditation is valid for a period of three years, after which time the business needs to apply again to maintain their accreditation
Leanne Gollasch, CEM
Managing Director
Conference Logistics
M: 0434 143 657
E: leanne@conlog.com.au
For more information on the PCO Association click here