Party organisers, event managers support, train members as Covid-19 impact bites

The Association of Professional Party Organisers and Event Managers of Nigeria (APPOEMN) have restated its commitment to support and train its members in a bid to cushion the effect of Covid-19 on their businesses.

Speaking during APPOEMN’s first post-covid-19 annual general meeting held recently, Adefunke Kuyoro, president of the body, said in the midst of the pandemic lockdown, a committee was setup to raise funds and assist casual staff who suddenly found themselves out of work.

Kuyoro said several Zoom training sessions were organized for members, including mental health as APPOEMN TV was created, hosted and ran in 2020.

She hinted that the body which could not hold its annual conference -TEIC in 2020 as a result of Covid, plans to hold a bigger and better annual conference, adding that in the first quarter of 2021, the new EXCOs have inaugurated a new EXCO, rolled out a monthly newsletter for the association and engaged the responsible ministry (tourism).

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Kuyoro said the Federal Safety Commission is in several dialogues and meetings resulting in the body becoming unofficial partners with the commission.

She further hinted that the Education director has organised two training sessions for the association – one with in-house facilitators on Event Safety and “Resilience”- an entrepreneurs’ coping mechanism now and beyond.

“There was also training on tax matters. Our welfare team has remained vibrant with members celebrating their birthdays and actively engaging with members to see how they are doing,” she said.

Speaking on APPOEMN’s proposed plans for year 2021, she said the body is still on course in setting up zonal chapters with Abuja as our inaugural project and there would be more training plans for members by the education unit. “We plan to have relevant training once a month,” she assured.

The president restated that retirement and pension plans, health and life insurance proposals are being examined, so the body would be able to roll out group insurance for members.

“Now that the events space is opening up, we will be looking at team bonding activities for members.

“We would create zonal groups for members and a whole lot more plans to continue to make the association a vibrant and forward thinking one. We will be starting today to form support partners,” Kuyoro added.

In November 2020 a new executive was elected into the association with members, Segun Okunuga – logistics director, Ojuolape Femi- Ayodele – welfare director, Pamela Maria Nwonu – events director, Yemisi Peters – education director, Funmilayo Olaogun- finance director, Bose Abisagboola – public relations, director Jumoke Olatunji- assistant. secretary, Omolola Balogun – general secretary, Funbi Akinyosoye – vice president and Adefunke Kuyoro -president.

The new EXCO was formally inaugurated in March 2021 and work started for them in January 2021.