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