Expert and professional
Financially sound and reliable
Proven business continuity
Erkend Congresbureau: proven quality
As a congress agency, you invest in quality, professional expertise and reliable service every day. The Erkend Congresbureau quality mark makes that investment visible and your agency’s quality demonstrable. It is an independent recognition that strengthens client confidence and helps you continue to professionalise.
Externally, it demonstrates that your organisation has been independently assessed on areas including experience, professionalism, reliability, continuity and financial health.
But Erkend Congresbureau offers more. Through the audit and accompanying benchmark, you gain insight into your strengths, risks and opportunities for improvement. You also gain access to knowledge, professional development and a network of professional congress organisers.
Curious whether the quality mark is a good fit for your agency? Get in touch with us!
“Erkend Congresbureau is a valuable quality mark that no congress agency can really afford to overlook when it comes to quality, reliability, innovation and service in the events industry.” — Kim van Schaik, VNG
BECOMING AND REMAINING CERTIFIED: HOW IT WORKS
1. Introduction
Curious what the quality mark could offer your agency and whether your organisation is eligible? We start with a personal introductory meeting. We discuss the requirements, the audit process and the benefits of participation, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to proceed.
2. Audit preparation
If you decide to participate, we schedule the admission audit. Beforehand, you complete a comprehensive self-assessment. This maps out your organisation, working methods and business operations and enables the auditor to prepare for the visit. The information is stored in your personal online environment and also forms the basis for future assessments.
3. Audit by a professional auditor
On the agreed date, the auditor visits your office to carry out the assessment. Before the visit, the auditor also reviews your online presence and how up to date it is. Telephone contact may also be used to experience the team’s service and working methods in practice. The audit covers areas including:
- Experience – portfolio, clients and practical experience
- Quality requirements – transparency, structure, approach, innovation, client reviews, certificates and qualifications
- Professional conduct – professional attitude, delivery and responsibility
- Reliability – transparency, client relationships and keeping commitments
- Continuity – sales, portfolio, knowledge development and financial health
4. Certification
After the audit, you receive personal feedback and a report. Your results are recorded in your own online dashboard, giving you insight into your performance and development. You can also benchmark your results against those of other certified congress agencies.
Meet the requirements? You may then use the Erkend Congresbureau quality mark. You receive a communications package, a listing on erkendcongresbureau.nl and become part of the network. Participants also benefit from knowledge activities, promotional opportunities and initiatives focused on continued professional development.
REMAINING CERTIFIED
The certification process does not end once the quality mark has been awarded. Certified congress agencies are reassessed every two years. Our auditor revisits the company for an in-depth interview covering both points from the previous audit and new, current developments. This keeps the quality mark relevant and encourages agencies to keep developing.
The results are confidential and accessible only to the agency and Erkend Congresbureau. Anonymised results from all participants together form a benchmark. This gives you insight into how your agency performs compared with peer agencies and how it develops over time.
Curious whether the quality mark is a good fit for your agency? Contact us for a no-obligation introductory meeting!