Coventry Building Society Arena joins ABPCO

Coventry Building Society Arena has joined The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) after passing the robust accreditation process to become part of the leading professional body.

ABPCO is the leading professional body for the organisation of association conference and not-for-profit events.

Members of the association are selected based on peer assessment and Coventry Building Society Arena has passed the accreditation process to join the body.

It comes as the Arena gears up for the opening of its new multi-million-pound Commonwealth Convention Centre later this year.

Work is ongoing to complete the new south pavilion gateway to the convention centre, which will provide access to the new Convention Centre Lobby, an open plan multi-purpose reception space and seamless access to the 7,750 square metres of indoor conference and exhibition space at the Arena.

The project has already seen work completed to renovate the 6,000 square metre Indoor Arena, transform 1,750 square metres of space beneath the arena and create the popular new sports bar, The Anecdote.

Ross Stewart, Business Development Manager for Agency & Associations at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “Joining ABPCO allows us to increase our profile within the association market.

“The membership gives us a stamp of approval which shows we have gone through, and passed, the robust accreditation process which ensures professionalism within the community and recognises excellence.

“I have worked in the events industry for over five years and, in that time, I have worked with multiple associations. I understand the requirements and needs for an organiser, and Coventry Building Society Arena is a perfect Midlands venue for associations.

“We open the doors to our new Commonwealth Convention Centre later this year, which includes our brand new 650-seater auditorium as well as exhibition and breakout spaces. On top of this, we also have a 121-bedroom DoubleTree by Hilton on-site, an on-site train station and 2,000 car parking spaces and a further offering of 4,500 bedrooms within seven miles of the venue.

“We are working hard on our sustainability commitment for 2022 and beyond. With over 75 per cent of the UK within a two-hour drive of the venue, having our on-site train station and an airport within 20 minutes of the venue, we are offering a central location which will reduce carbon emissions for visitors which I know is a key element for association event organisers.”

ABPCO’s industry members and partners are made up of some of the UK’s leading venues, convention bureaus and suppliers in the conference industry.

For further information about ABPCO visit www.abpco.org/.