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| FAQs | |||||||||
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What can a PCO do for me that my staff can’ t? |
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| PCOs have human resources, technical resources and contacts built up over many years. They have the experience and skills to produce professional results even on a shoestring budget. Undertaking your project from scratch would demand agreat deal of your staff’ s valuable time. A PCO has the experience you need. | |||||||||
| What is the difference between a PCO and ….a travel agent, tour operator, convention bureau, hotel, public relations consultancy, conference centre? | |||||||||
| All of these organisations may offer some kind of conference management service apart from their core business. An independent PCO company has no conflicting interests. It is the only one specialising in every aspect of conference organisation and co-ordination, taking full responsibility for the budget control and liaising whenever necessary with all other suppliers, including those listed above. | |||||||||
| Would the PCO take over completely? | |||||||||
| No! You and your colleagues retain complete control of your conference, withnone of the day-to-day logistical hassle. At the outset of a project, the PCO sits down with the client to discuss the aims and objectives. Many decisions need to be made and the PCO can help identify those critical for success and offer advice on how to achieve them. The client is still responsible for the content of the program, but the PCO can give full administrative and technical support in managing it. | |||||||||
| What will it cost? | |||||||||
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The PCO’ s fee will be charged on a negotiated fee basis. Such fees cover a PCO’ s staff and time expenses. The actual expenditure of the conference, including expenses such as mailing, telephone calls, etc. are usually charged separately. All costs, including fees, will be incorporated into the conference budget. Whatever the arrangement, the client and PCO agree on what is covered by the fee. A written contract between two parties, Client (Principal) and PCO (Agent), is essential. Most PCO’s will also offer a venue finding or accommodation-booking service, costs of which in some instances are covered by commissions from hotels. |
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| To employ the services of a PCO might look expensive at first, but if you count the many, many hours of work and logistical experience involved, it will become clear that using a PCO’ s expertise means that you avoid wasting money. Also, there is less chance the event will make a loss. In fact, in many cases where events are intended to be profitable, the proceeds have actually increased. The PCO can also suggest sources of finance or pre-finance the event, and, given sufficient lead-time, assist in identifying potential sponsors. | |||||||||
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