BCD Meetings & Events (BCD M&E) has completed a three-year strategic plan that has resulted in the company experience record growth.
Total sales increased 141 per cent, while the company has grown its employee base by 117 per cent. The meetings and events specialist’s footprint grew 218 per cent and it implemented a suite of expanded products and services – now serving clients in more than 50 countries worldwide.
Global president Scott Graf commented: “In 2016 we launched our first strategic growth plan with the clear intention of tripling our profit, expanding our global footprint in EMEA, LATAM and APAC and answering the ever-evolving needs of our customers through new and innovative offerings. I am happy to report we exceeded expectations in every area, culminating with a record year in 2018.”
Over the last three years, BCD M&E has also seen the completion of four dedicated meetings and events acquisitions – Universal Meetings Management and Plan 365 in the US, Zibrant in the UK and Grass Roots Meetings & Events in EMEA and the US. In addition, the company made acquisitions in China, Colombia, Poland, Hong Kong, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Sweden.
The firm also expanded its services into sports hospitality, travel and entertainment with the launch of BCD Spots. It digitalised critical services through its MeetingSource platform, which includes a self-service online meeting booking tool and a non-employee expense reimbursement and reporting tool.
BCD M&E also offers a global venue-sourcing service including proprietary technology for sourcing and contracting venues.
Graf continued: “The growth of our organisation has been outstanding and we are proud of that. But what makes us most proud is the continued focus on ensuring our culture is strong, protected and enhanced throughout our growth. We are known as the agency people want to work with and work for, so every decision we make has to be right for our culture and our customers.”
In addition to BCD M&E’s success, its parent company BCD Travel closed 2018 with a record high, seeing a 6 per cent year-on-year increase in total sales.
Commenting on the future, Graf said: “We might have achieved record growth, but we are always looking ahead. We will continue to acquire organisations that are a strong business and cultural fit – with top-tier talent and expanded career opportunities for our team. And we will keep investing in the right technology, people and partners to solidify that BCD Meetings & Events is the most trusted, innovative M&E agency in the world. All the while ensuring we don’t lose sight of who we are and why our customers prefer working with us.”
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