Towards a better future: working with the IBMS Company Members Committee

The IBMS Company Members Committee was formed to work alongside the main IBMS committees and operates under specific terms of reference and a set of governing rules suitable for purpose. Its main objectives are to:
* liaise closely with members of the other IBMS committees, as appropriate
* represent the needs of the Company Members
* offer representation of the Company Members on individual advisory panels (APs)
* offer representation of the Company Members at regional IBMS meetings
* ensure a successful IBMS Congress
* work in conjunction with Step Exhibitions for the IBMS Congress
* facilitate greater communications with outside organisations
* increase Company Member communication before, during and after Congress
* liaise at regular meetings with the IBMS
* work with the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA), European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association (EDMA) and the Labs are Vital initiative.

The most noticeable contribution that the Company Members Committee makes has to be to Congress. The face of Congress has changed dramatically over the past 10 years, and the level of planning and organisation required is phenomenal. The entire elected membership of all IBMS committees, especially the Birmingham branch committee, make tremendous efforts in this area, and are all to be commended for what has become a key date in the diary for all members.

Many readers will be familiar with the now traditional Company Members Evening on the last night of Congress, and no doubt some will also be familiar with the morning after and the sterling efforts made to attend lecture sessions. This is just as hard for those of us from the commercial side of the fence.