Ask the experts when planning a conference

Anyone who has been involved in organising a conference will agree that this is no easy task, says Sally Bary, education development director of Conventions & Incentives New Zealand.

It requires, she says, the skills of a time management and marketing consultant, accountant, psychologist, lawyer, stress therapist, and a specialist in entertainment, theming, lighting and sound.

"Add to all of this the need to work around the clock, seven days a week, in order to achieve a successful, productive and profitable event."

It is little wonder, Sally Bary says, that associations and corporations increasingly look to experienced conference organisers to manage their conferences and meetings.

To monitor and enhance their skills Conventions & Incentives New Zealand, the marketing arm of the New Zealand Convention Association, introduced a specialist accreditation programme for professional conference organisers in 1998.

The programme was developed by the Meetings Industry Association of Australia to ensure that the meetings industry has competent organisers.

"Accreditation ensures a commitment to achieving high standards and ethical practice, and provides credibility in the meetings industry," Sally Bary says.

Applicants for accreditation must have at least three years' full-time experience and provide evidence that they are skilled and knowledgeable in various aspects of conference organising.

They get assessed on their methods of operation and undergo an in-depth interview with the accreditation admissions board. They have to keep learning and uphold the industry code of ethics.

Eleven members of Conventions & Incentives New Zealand have been accredited thus far.

They are:- Margaret Brown, of the University of Canterbury; Richard Buchanan and Linda McKay, of Convention Management, Auckland; Margaret Craig, of The Conference Team, Christchurch; Sue Hatchwell, of Conference & Function Services, Rotorua; Amanda Kennedy, of the Medical Industry Association, Hamilton; Neil Maitland, of Conference Brokers Ltd, Wellington; Janet Matheson, of Conferences & Events, Nelson; Megan O'Brien, of Conference Innovators, Christchurch; Suzanne Sadgrove, of Conference Professionals, Christchurch; and Jan Tonkin, of The Conference Company, Auckland.