The international importance of meetings and conferences to industry associations worldwide was highlighted ealier this year when Association Global Services AG (AGS) joined forces with one of the world’s largest and foremost international professional meeting and exhibition management services company, The Congrex Group.

“The skills, experience, service mix and geographic coverage of these two combined organizations will provide The Congrex Group with the capability to service the needs of Associations around the Globe,” said a Congrex Group spokesperson at the time.

AGS was founded in 2000 by Mr Terrance Barkan, who firmly believed that associations needed specialist services to assist them in achieving their day-to-day and strategic goals. AGS has grown from strength to strength, with some 45 permanent staff in seven locations, including main offices in Brussels and Washington DC, and regional offices in Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney, Cape Town and Sao Paolo.

“We welcome AGS to Congrex,” said Diana Feo Corao, Chairman of Congrex Holding BV. “Our combined strengths now representing the most global professional delivery option for associations with representation in all corners of the world.”

Meanwhile, Dr Layth Bunni, chief executive of the Congrex Group, added: “Our clients are demanding that we can offer not just the logistical know-how of delivering meetings, but also the advice of an expert on more strategic issues, such as the structure and location of their association. Essentially, they want an expert to guide them to success. The new relationship with AGS now provides a complete professional service offering to associations worldwide.”

Commenting on the move, Barkan said: “AGS will continue to operate as an independently managed company under the AGS name and brand. There will be no changes to staff or management of the company. What will change is that AGS joins more than 300 experienced colleagues in the professional congress organisation and IT services field, with a 25-year track record of success serving associations, corporations and governmental institutions in delivering quality conferences, exhibitions and events.”

Congrex offers AGS and its clients the services of a robust and large-scale congress organisation team. AGS in turn represents an opportunity for the Congrex Group to offer association management services (management consultancy and secretariat services) to its clients worldwide.

“We now have representation on all five continents,” Donald M. Hellstedt, Director of Congrex Holding BV. “Our combined 28 operational locations consequently include a major presence in the Americas, Asia, Australia, Africa and the United States, in addition to our solid foundation in Europe.”