ABPCO Festival of Learning 2023 Welcomed to Telford

Telford is proud to welcome the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) for the Festival of Learning 2023, bringing together the UK’s leading association event professionals. 

The event, sponsored by Telford & Wrekin Council in collaboration with Telford International Centre and several national stakeholders, aims to provide opportunities for sharing, learning, and networking, with a focus on the theme of ‘Survive and Thrive’ in the ever-changing landscape of the association events industry.

Reflecting on the core values of ABPCO and their alignment to Telford & Wrekin Council, both partners marked the opening of the event with the planting of a cherry blossom tree in Telford Town Park this afternoon.  The planting demonstrated the fostering of a new relationship between Telford & Wrekin Council and the association events sector and the joint commitment to support a sustainable, healthy, and thriving events industry.

David Sidaway, Chief Executive of Telford & Wrekin Council, said, “We are thrilled to welcome the ABPCO Festival of Learning 2023 to Telford. It is an honour to be a part of an event that brings together such talented and dedicated professionals from around the UK to share their expertise and knowledge. As a council, we are committed to supporting initiatives like this that promote collaboration, learning, and innovation, which align with our culture and values.”

Emma Duffy, Co-Chair of ABPCO, said, “The Festival of Learning is an important event for the association events sector, bringing the best of the industry together to learn from each other, share best practice and develop the long-term relationships that are vital to the success of conferences and business events. We are grateful to Telford & Wrekin Council for their support in making this event possible, and we look forward to collaborating with them in the future.”

Alison Griffin, Managing Director of Telford International Centre said: “Telford International Centre already hosts some of the UK’s most important professional conferences and being able to welcome ABPCO and its members to Telford for the Festival of Learning this April, is a huge privilege.  We look forward to hosting a successful event where attendees will leave inspired and energised.”

Telford is one of the UK’s leading events destinations, welcoming over 200 major events and 1 million delegates every year.  Its collection of venues includes the award-winning Telford International Centre with its impressive 15,000sqm of flexible event space.  Telford is also home to Lilleshall National Sports and Conference Centre, Enginuity owned by Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and the 10,000 capacity Queen Elizabeth II Arena in Telford Town Park, which every year hosts some of the biggest outdoor music concerts as well as cultural and charity events.   

Business events tourism is one of the top sectors for Telford, providing a platform for the destination to raise its profile nationally, to attract new investment and development and generate economic growth.

The ABPCO Festival of Learning will be a further opportunity for Telford to showcase the exceptional facilities and visitor experiences that event organizers can enjoy when choosing Telford as their host destination.