| k"> | | | | conference? When choosing a venue, it is worth |
| Pharma conferences are an essential tool for | | | | considering that the ABPI states that the content |
| spreading ideas and information in the Pharmaceutical | | | | should be the most important aspect in a Pharma |
| world. If organised and implemented correctly, a | | | | Conference. Therefore, choosing a venue that is |
| Pharma conference can be a forum for the | | | | entertainment orientated is inappropriate - that |
| communication and development of scientific ideas, | | | | means no to casinos, golf clubs and spa resorts. |
| research and products. Organisers of Pharma | | | | According to the ABPI, sending delegates on a trip to |
| conferences do, however, run the risk of their event | | | | an expensive spa resort would not be justifiable as a |
| seeming more like a sales pitch than a genuine | | | | necessary expense of arranging a Pharma |
| conference. Blatant attempts to gain popularity with | | | | conference. A sufficient venue should be sought out |
| clients, through the use of hospitality or other | | | | that offers the necessary conference features, |
| material means, could even violate the Association of | | | | transport links, food and hospitality if required. The |
| British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Code of | | | | level of accommodation should not exceed a basic, |
| Practice. | | | | comfortable standard - and should definitely not be a |
| The ABPI's Code of Practice is, according to it's | | | | luxury hotel. The level of accommodation could be |
| President, "regarded as a world gold standard for | | | | adjusted for different speakers - for example, a high |
| self-regulation", and it's list of rules is central to | | | | profile international speaker would probably warrant |
| ensuring that the Pharmaceutical industry is ruled by | | | | more hospitality than a local speaker. |
| scientific developments and not marketing. The Code | | | | Once a venue has been chosen, you may wish to |
| of Conduct, and specifically clause 19, seeks to | | | | consider some other factors to help decide the level |
| reduce the amount of lavish hospitality that is often | | | | of hospitality to offer. The time length of the |
| associated with Pharma Conferences - and which it | | | | conference is obviously an important factor; should |
| says could influence the judgement of clients. | | | | your meeting last for a whole day, then meals should |
| Compliance with the Code is obligatory for members | | | | probably be provided. This would, however, be |
| of the ABPI, and companies can be forced to issue a | | | | deemed unnecessary should the conference only last |
| corrective statement and be publically reprimanded. | | | | a few hours. The costs of the Pharma conference |
| So, what's the key to keeping your Pharma | | | | should match the quality and importance of the |
| conference within the ABPI guidelines? How much is | | | | speakers and the importance of the content being |
| too much when it comes to hospitality at these | | | | discussed. The arrangements of any hospitality should |
| events? The simple answer seems to be that the | | | | also be carefully thought out so that whatever may |
| hospitality should match the level of the event, and | | | | be offered comes a clear second to the content of |
| should come second to the content of the | | | | the seminar. Advertising can also help a conference |
| conference - not exceeding what delegates would | | | | organiser stick to the ABPI Code of Conduct. The |
| choose to pay for themselves. Obviously, hospitality | | | | invitations and marketing of the event should be |
| forms a large part of a modern Pharma conference | | | | done on a strictly professional basis, with all emphasis |
| and if delegates are attending a long meeting, then it | | | | on the content of the conference; only a small |
| would be only natural to offer some level of | | | | amount of the invitation should be devoted to the |
| hospitality. In short, it seems that the level of | | | | hospitality side of the event, and this should briefly |
| hospitality should be varied depending on a variety of | | | | describe details. |
| factors. Unnecessary travelling should be kept to a | | | | In conclusion, it seems that to stick to the ABPI |
| minimum - for example, it is inappropriate for a British | | | | Code of Conduct, specifically clause 19, common |
| Pharmaceutical company to arrange a conference in | | | | sense should prevail. Rather than offering lavish, |
| the south of France for it's German delegates. When | | | | unjustified hospitality to delegates, a more low key |
| travel is unavoidable, which it often is, economy air | | | | venue should be chosen and the emphasis should |
| travel should be offered to delegates and any First | | | | remain on the content of the conference at all times. |
| Class upgrades should be paid for out of the | | | | Although levels of hospitality can be varied with a |
| delegates' pocket. Once the travel solutions have | | | | number of factors, it seems that anything offered |
| been worked out, the next step is to choose a | | | | that is more than adequate is simply an unnecessary |
| venue. This is also covered by clause 19 of the ABPI | | | | expense, and presents the risk of repercussions from |
| Code of Conduct - the choice of lavish and | | | | the ABPI. The main focus of any Pharma conference |
| inappropriate venues is not allowed. So what is | | | | should be scientific content. |
| classed as an acceptable venue for a Pharma | | | | |