The PCO Alliance Network announced today, February 16 2018, the semi-retirement and relocation of Founder and Chairlady, Jacqueline Stumke.
Ellen Oosthuizen, EXCO member and, for many years, holding the Inbound and outbound PCO Alliance Network Tours portfolio, has been appointed as Vice-Chairlady effective from 01 April 2018.
Ellen will work alongside, and under the guidance of Jacqueline, who will retain Executive responsibility for the PCO Alliance Network strategy and management.
Following a career of more than 33 years organising conferences, exhibitions and events, Jacqueline announced her immediate future plans at the Alliance’s first quarterly meeting of 2018 on 16 February 2018. She, with her husband Robin, will shortly be relocating to the Cape. Jacqueline will continue in her fully-dedicated role as Chairlady and, while not being present at various site-inspections and tours, she will be physically present as the Cape-based “branch” of the PCO Alliance Network.
Members of the PCO Alliance Network honour Jacqueline for her many years of service within the event arena and are thankful and appreciative of her 13 years of dedicated commitment to the Alliance. Her goal, 13 years ago, was to form a group of the most ethical PCO’s, like-minded people who would not be adversaries, but friends, who placed good business, were transparent and ethical and honoured this exciting industry. This goal was achieved within the first year of forming the Alliance and has grown, in every respect, ever since.
Jacqueline not only has years of outstanding service to the events industry, but has provided strategic leadership of the PCO Alliance Network. She has mentored many PCO’s, has always recognised and supported potential in others and has ensured that the high standards set by her has inspired all PCO’s.
She will continue to provide valuable counsel to the Board and all its members. We want to publicly thank Jacqueline for her service and dedication to serving our members for all these years.
PCO Alliance Network members would like to emphasise, in particular, that Jacqueline’s commitment to setting the standards, has enabled the PCO Alliance Network to grow from its humble beginnings as a small group of PCO’s, to the brand it is today.
We are proud to display our motto : “WE HONOUR OUR INDUSTRY”.
“Having worked with Ellen for the past ten years, both as a member of PCO Alliance Network Executive Committee and in a succession of expanding roles within the organization, I am confident she is the right person to take the Alliance forward into the next phase of our development and continue to grow our brand. Ellen is as prepared to assist in leading this PCO Alliance Network as any executive,” said Stumke. “Her decisive leadership, her personal style, and her vast experiences across the entire value chain of our industry uniquely qualify her to step into this support role in April. She is well-respected across the industry, she inspires the Alliance members, and she embodies the PCO Alliance Networks core values.”
“I am humbled and excited by this opportunity to work together with Jacqueline in leading the PCO Alliance Network, particularly during a time of profound challenge and unprecedented opportunity. The PCO Alliance Network will stand firm by the timeless values laid down by our founder, yet act decisively to maintain our strong competitive position,” said Oosthuizen.
“For more than three decades Jacqueline has provided invaluable leadership for the PCO Alliance Network and for our industry. Her consistent and resolute focus on integrity, professionalism and respect has distinguished our organisation. With the support and engagement of all of the Alliance members, I look forward to building on Jacqueline’s legacy and to assisting her in leading this Alliance to even higher levels of achievement as we go forward.”
Those of us who know Jacqueline personally admire her not only for her business efforts, but also for her personal lifetime values as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. It is with mixed feelings that we see you leave for the Cape. As you slow down, we are happy that you will now have more time to devote to yourself, your family and your interests. However, your departure does not mean that the PCO Alliance Network is losing a valued and reliable colleague and friend. We will continue to benefit from your guidance as our Chairlady, your expertise, skills, and experience – from a distance.
A farewell for Jacqueline will be held on Sunday 25 March from 12:30 – 15:00 at location TBA. All friends, PCO Alliance Network members, their partners and well-wishers are welcome to attend.
