Rob Henshaw

President of the Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) Association Rob Henshaw (pictured) has announced he will be retiring from the Association on December 31, 2013.

Henshaw was a co-founder of the Association in 2006 and will be acknowledged with “life-membership”  status in December.

PCO Association spokesperson Peter Sugg said “Rob has worked tirelessly during the past seven years, to give PCOs a voice and provide them with collegiate support”.

“His presidency saw the introduction of the first draft of a ‘legal’ venue contract, affordable event public liability insurance, member and company accreditation systems, member code of conduct, business partner programs, training courses and industry seminars, and the establishment of a member/supplier disputes resolution process,” he added.

President elect is Barry Neame, a director of Consec  Conference Management in Canberra

The Association will open a Canberra office early in 2014, to assist with its lobbying activities, and it will also appoint a director of industry partnerships who will be based in Queensland.