September 2018
ABPCO
5
Optimum
platform
for learning
Jo Powel, joint chair of
ABPCO, reflects on the
second of ABPCO’s values.
Learning (noun): the acquisition of knowledge
or skills through study, experience, or being
In an ideal world we should all be learning
each and every day. We should be able to
go to bed at night and reflect on the fact we
have somehow grown as a person due to one
identifiable nugget of information that has
enriched us and grown our understanding of
ourselves, the world around us, our friends
and family, our work or just something trivial
that might one day be useful.
There are many reasons for associations
to exist – from collaboration and lobbying
through to networking, growth and sales.
However, for most, whether it is the reason
they first started or the reason they continue
to succeed – knowledge and learning sit at the
heart of an association’s success.
By their very nature associations are
a loose group of diverse companies and
individuals with some common focus, goals,
experience or knowledge. And it is this very
commonality that provides the basis and
potential for so many learning opportunities.
At the very simplest level there is peer-
to-peer knowledge sharing and exchange.
Whether the association has 10 or 10,000
members they will each have a different
perspective on the world, a different
background and a different set of experiences
that others can learn from. Through round
tables, panel discussions, forums and simply
networking - an association provides a
platform for such opportunities.
On the flip side, associations offer a way to
gather an audience in front of a knowledge
leader and expert who wouldn’t necessarily
be available (or even known) to individuals
or single organisations. Through intelligent,
focused sessions, led by subject matter experts,
members can learn from the best and expand
their knowledge for the benefit of themselves
and those around them.
As an association focused on the world of
meetings and events ABPCO is no different
and like so many other associations we offer a
home for members to share best practice and
learn from industry leaders.
But, for us, there is a twist in the story – our
face-to-face learning opportunities are not
just an opportunity to increase knowledge,
they are a demonstration of best practice in
its own right. They offer a chance for our
members to see what does and doesn’t work
before taking it back to their clients (internal
or external) and seeing what can work for
them.
Like the often talked about shark that
cannot stop moving for fear it will die, we
all need to keep learning if we are going to
progress in our personal and professional
lives. Associations are no different – if
we are to continue to attract the best and
brightest members we need to offer a point
of difference and something of true value to
our members.
It is, therefore, vital that not just the
members but also an association’s board and
executive continue to learn and develop.
For ABPCO in the months ahead this
means we have developed a plan based on
listening to our members through our annual
engagement survey. We are developing
new ways of communication with our
members, new ways to bring them together
collaboratively and new ways for everyone to
learn.