Stumke semi-retires from PCO Alliance Network | The Planner

The PCO Alliance Network announced today,ย 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 Networkย Toursย portfolio, ย has been appointed as Vice-Chairlady effective fromย 01 April 2018.

Ellenย will work alongside, and under the guidance of Jacqueline, who will retainย Executiveย responsibility for theย PCO Alliance Networkย strategy and management.

Following a career of more than 33 years organising conferences, exhibitions and events,ย Jacquelineย announced her immediate future plans at the Allianceโ€™s first quarterly meeting of 2018 onย 16 February 2018.ย  She, with her husband Robin, will shortly be relocating to the Cape.ย  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 โ€œbranchโ€ of theย PCO Alliance Network.

Members of theย PCO Alliance Networkย 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.ย  Her goal, 13 years ago, was to form a group of the most ethical PCOโ€™s, like-minded people who would not be adversaries, but friends, who placed good business, were transparent and ethical and honoured this exciting industry.ย  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 theย PCO Alliance Network. She has mentored many PCOโ€™s, has always recognised and supported potential in others and has ensured that the high standards set by her has inspired all PCOโ€™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 Networkย members would like toย emphasise, in particular, that Jacquelineโ€™s commitment to setting the standards, has enabled theย PCO Alliance Networkย to grow from its humble beginnings as a small group of PCOโ€™s, to theย brand it is today.

We are proud to display our motto :ย โ€œWE HONOUR OUR INDUSTRYโ€.

โ€œHaving worked with Ellen for the past ten years, both as a member ofย PCO Alliance Networkย 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. ย Ellen is as prepared to assist in leading thisย PCO Alliance Networkย 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 theย PCO Alliance Networksย core values.”

“I am humbled and excited by this opportunity to work together with Jacqueline in leading theย PCO Alliance Network, particularly during a time of profound challenge and unprecedented opportunity. Theย PCO Alliance Networkย will stand firm by the timeless values laid down by our founder, yet act decisively to maintain our strong competitive position,” saidย Oosthuizen.

“For more than three decades Jacqueline has provided invaluable leadership for theย PCO Alliance Networkย 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 Jacquelineโ€™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.ย 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 theย PCO Alliance Networkย is losing a valued and reliable colleague and friend.ย  We will continue to benefit from your guidance as our Chairlady, your expertise, skills, and experience – from a distance.

A farewellย for Jacquelineย will be held onย Sunday 25 Marchย fromย 12:30 โ€“ 15:00ย atย location TBA. All friends,ย PCO Alliance Networkย members, their partners and well-wishers are welcome to attend.