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THE LEADING ASSOCIATIONS REPRESENTING THE LEADING PROFESSIONS
Who are we?
The Associations Conference Forum (AC Forum) is Europe’s only networking platform established exclusively for and by associations with in-house congress staff. Most members stem from the medical field, but membership is open to associations in various disciplines. AC Forum provides a platform for exchange of information amongst association peers facing comparable challenges in the congress industry.
Goals
The aim of AC Forum is to attain the highest level of congress organisation through an open exchange of information between its members—mainly conference managers and CEOs. To ensure a fruitful and open exchange of information, membership is subject to various organisational criteria, including the legal status of the association, the number of staff members it employs, the number of participants and frequency of the congresses, as well as the level of in-house planning in relation to the organisation of its congress. In addition, members must respect that all discussion within AC Forum is confidential.
History
The beginnings of AC Forum date back to 1999. Three prominent medical associations, each organising large conferences in Europe, decided to meet on a regular basis to exchange ideas and experiences, and establish common targets. Since then AC Forum has grown into an established not-for-profit association with 23 members that inspires and encourages its members to achieve excellence in congress organisation. AC Forum representatives meet on an annual basis to exchange relevant information with regard to their most recent and upcoming congress events.
Members
Founding members:
European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)
European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP)
European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
European Society of Radiology (ESR)
International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE)/International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
the European CanCer Organisation (ECCO, formerly FECS)
World Dental Federation (FDI)
Full members:
Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE)
European Association for Cardio Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)
European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)
European Respiratory Society (ERS)
European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA)
European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)
European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)
International AIDS Society (IAS)
International Council of Nurses (ICN)
International Diabetes Federation (IDF)
International Union Against Cancer (UICC)
International/European Associations for the Study of Obesity (IASO/EASO)
World Heart Federation (WHF)
Workshops
Various working groups within AC Forum have been examining such areas of interest as: VATand congress destinations, supplier tying and contract conditions with congress centres and other suppliers. This year, closed workshops for “on the job” staff on topics such as registration, management of the scientific programme and congress marketing have been initiated. A series of other topics are already being explored for future workshops.
Contact
You can get involved. Does your Association organise its own congress or does it wish to do so? Are you headquartered in Europe? Do you employ salaried staff who organise the main part of your Association’s congresses in-house or are carrying the major responsibility for the congress organisation? Contact our
Secretariat in Brussels for more information:
Ms. Anne Dewaegenaere
AC Forum Office, 24 Rue des Comédiens, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
office@acforum.net , www.acforum.net
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