On June 15th British APCO turns 30. As an Association we have come quite some way since those heady early days in 1993 when our Executive Director, Ken Mott, sought affiliate status with APCO International, setting up a Foundation Steering Committee chaired by John Burnside to oversee the initial 12-month period to fully establish British APCO.
The idea for BAPCO germinated in Phoenix, Arizona a few months earlier in March 1993 when Ken held discussions with the Board of Officers and Executive Council of APCO International. In the weeks that followed Ken worked hard to frame all that would be needed to set up the British affiliate – with the launch meeting having around 200 people present. By the end of July 1993 there were 46 registered members covering the public sector and commercial membership classes – and membership continued to grow from that point on.
The Association quickly formed around a regional structure – and was a key partner for the Comms in Public Safety annual events that moved around the country, often being held at some of the larger horse racing venues. And in 1999, the very first BAPCO Annual Event was held in the Royal Horticultural Halls in Victoria, London. Such was the success of the event that the following three years were held at the Novotel, Hammersmith before a long residence at the Business Design Centre, Islington. Manchester G-Mex then the Telford International Centre provided stepping stones to the current BAPCO Annual Event as we know it in Coventry.
A key part of our Annual Event has always been the BAPCO dinner; we have had speakers from many different walks of life – comedians, sports personalities, a Member of Parliament, and various other inspirational speakers. But one person stands out – and to be honest, puts the whole history of BAPCO into perspective. Back in May 2000, the late Bill Tidy created a 30-metre-long mural that charted the History of BAPCO from very early prehistoric days when BAPCODEX roamed right through to 2000; it was quite some work of art and Bill kindly agreed for the mural to be reproduced as a “history” book. I wonder how many copies of the book are still to be found in the studies of past British APCO members?
Today, British APCO continue as a vibrant stand-alone organisation with charitable status, acknowledged as the leading UK based Association for all professionals using or developing Public Safety technology. With nearly 1,800 members – 1,470 of whom are from the public sector working with agencies representing first responders and other public safety work – and 38 companies who have joined as corporate members, we have great representation from this very important sector.
And our recent success at the International Critical Communications Awards 2023 held in Helsinki where we were Highly Commended, recognised the work British APCO has done over the past decade or so to help facilitate the world of critical communications. The award itself – The Phil Kidner Award for Outstanding Contribution to Critical Communications - is very special, with Phil one of our past presidents and very much a driving force behind much of our external engagement.
It is always good to celebrate – and we intend to recognise this 30-year milestone up in Newcastle in November as well as in Coventry during our annual event. To all of our Presidents and Chair past and present; the volunteers who make up our Board of Trustees and the Advisory Group; and each and every one of our members be they here in the UK or further afield, all at British APCO say thank you for your continued support.
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