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For Immediate Release:

Contacts: Stéphanie Heng
+32 2 774 9610

 

NEW CLIENT WIN FOR KELLEN EUROPE!
THE ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY ADVISES THE EUROPEAN SOFTWARE ASSOCIATION

BRUSSELS (December 15th, 2005) – The European Software Association was launched in October 2005. The Association Management Company Kellen Europe was selected to advise, create the legal/fiscal structure and set up the governance scheme of the new Association.

The European Software Association represents over 25 companies in the European software industry. Its principal mission is to shape and reinforce the European software industry activities by working closely with EU legislators and other industry stakeholders and to become a key interface with European Union institutions, media and the general public on matters impacting the software industry. 

The European Software Association aims to help Commissioners examine initiatives from unexplored angles and offer recommendations and counsel for efficient application of Directives. The Association wants to ensure that the industry is optimally represented whilst facing policy makers by providing them with the information they need to deliver effective legislation for the benefit of European industry and consumers.

Jeremy Roche, Chairman of the board of directors said: “We firmly believe this industry can make a major contribution toward innovation in Europe. We selected Kellen Europe as Kellen is well versed in managing associations and providing leadership to them”.

“We are very proud that the European Software Association chose Kellen to provide strategic advice and help in the creation of the Association. The Kellen Europe team will focus its efforts on helping the Association reach its goals”, says Katrijn Otten, Manager - Kellen Europe.

About the European Software Association
25 European Independent Software Vendor (ISV) companies created the European Software Association in October 2005.

ISV members of the association work with EU policy makers and other European stakeholders to foster innovation, growth and employment as well as competitiveness within the European software industry.
The IT industry employs around 9 million people across Europe, and generates revenues of around €226 billion.

For more information, visit www.europeansoftware.org.

About Kellen Europe
Kellen Europe provides association management, strategic advice, communications, government affairs, benchmarking studies, internet services and other professional advice to associations and corporations worldwide.

Over the last 15 years, Kellen Europe has gathered considerable expertise that enables the company to rapidly anticipate the needs of emerging or existing associations and to provide tailored organizational solutions.

The Kellen Company serves more than 10,000 companies worldwide, either through its
70 client associations or directly, from offices in Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York City, Tucson and Brussels.

For more information, visit www.kelleneurope.com and/or www.kellencompany.com.

 

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For Immediate Release:

Contacts: Stéphanie Heng
+32 2 774 9610

 

KELLEN EUROPE EXPANDS STAFF:
THREE NEW CONSULTANTS FOR ITS BRUSSELS OFFICE

BRUSSELS (October 10th, 2005) – Kellen Europe has recently expanded its staff in Brussels to meet the needs of a growing number of clients. Three consultants have joined the Kellen Brussels office in September: Michel Baumgartner, Pierre Conrath and Silvia Vaghi.

Baumgartner was tapped to support the activities of the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services ( IFES) and the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technology Platform. He holds a political science degree from the IEP of Strasbourg and a Master's in European Public Management. Baumgartner started his career in the European Community of Consumer Cooperatives and worked for the last 2,5 years for a consultancy specialised on food and environment issues.

Conrath handles EU affairs management activities for Eurobat (European industrial and automotive battery manufacturers) and will take up a consultant position for IELA (International Exhibition Logistics Associates). He studied economics and finance at the University of Bordeaux and holds a Master's degree in Public Affairs and Representation of Interests from universities in Quebec and Bordeaux.
He worked as a public affairs consultant in Brussels before joining Kellen.

Vaghi will lead the project for the European Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technology Platform. She holds a Master’s degree in environmental science from the University of Milan, a Master of science in international policy and relations from the University of Brussels, and obtained a post graduate certificate in socio-environmental and management industries. She started working in Brussels as research assistant for Assure, the association for the sustainable use and recovery of resources in Europe, before joining EICTA (the association of European IT and Consumer Electronics Technology). In the framework of the Italian EU presidency she took up a position as policy advisor on environment and energy issues. Her latest assignment was in Paris as Associate Programme Officer for the UN Environmental Programme. She joins Kellen as a senior consultant.

“Kellen has increased its client portfolio and deepened its service offerings. We are happy to have these new consultants join our team and contribute to enhancing our position as the leading firm providing strategic advice and management services to European and global business ”, explains Alfons Westgeest, Managing Partner at Kellen Europe.

About Kellen Europe
Kellen Europe provides association management, strategic advice, communications, government affairs, benchmarking studies, internet services and other professional advice to associations and corporations worldwide.

Over the last 15 years, Kellen Europe has gathered considerable expertise that enables the company to rapidly anticipate the needs of emerging or existing associations and to provide tailored organizational solutions.

The Kellen Company serves more than 10,000 companies worldwide, either through its
70 client associations or directly, from offices in Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York City, Tucson and Brussels.

For more information, visit www.kelleneurope.com and www.kellencompany.com.

 

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For Immediate Release:

Contacts: Stéphanie Heng
+32 2 774 9610

KELLEN EUROPE EMPLOYEES JOIN THEIR US COLLEAGUES FOR
THE KCO LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IN ATLANTA

BRUSSELS (July 27 th, 2005) – For the second time since the merger with the Kellen Company in June 2004, Kellen Europe (former Ernst & Young Association Management) employees attended the Kellen Company Leadership Conference in the company’s headquarters in Atlanta (July 21 st-23 rd).

Over 170 employees convened in Atlanta (Georgia) for three days of extensive training on best practices and other business and communications skills.

The Leadership Conference is a unique venue that allows the company to bring all its offices together (Brussels, Atlanta, New York City and Tucson, Washington D.C.), to provide a forum to communicate and discuss the Company's mission and values as well as the steps needed to achieve them.

This year’s conference provided Kellen employees with the opportunity to discuss key topics such as:

  • Meeting Regulatory Challenges with KCO's Technical Capabilities

  • Competitive Pitching to Clients

  • Hot PR trends

  • Consensus building

  • Strategic Advice and Strategic Planning for Clients

"Our company mission is to exceed client expectations through commitment to excellence and values. The Leadership Conference is one of the tools Kellen uses to meet the standard set: to further enhance the Company’s goal to be justifiably recognized as the best, most quality and client-oriented association management company” , explains Alfons Westgeest, Managing Partner – Kellen Europe.
About Kellen Europe
Over the last 15 years, Kellen Europe has gathered considerable expertise that enables the company to rapidly anticipate the needs of emerging or existing associations and to provide tailored organizational solutions.

Kellen Europe is part of the Kellen Company, founded in 1964, and provides association management, government affairs, public relations, meetings management, creative communications, website development and other professional services.

The Kellen Company serves more than 10,000 companies worldwide, either through its
100 client associations or directly, from offices in Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York City, Tucson and Brussels.

For more information, visit www.kelleneurope.com / www.kellencompany.com

Contact Kellen Europe: Stéphanie Heng, Email address: sheng@kelleneurope.com

Tel: +32 2 774 9610

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For Immediate Release:

Contacts: Stéphanie Heng
+32 2 774 9610

5th EDITION OF THE EUROCONFERENCE HITS KEY PARTICIPATION RATE
FOR DISCUSSION ON THE NEW EUROPEAN AGENDA

BRUSSELS (May 4 th, 2005) – The latest edition of the EuroConference series “The New European Agenda of EU Business Associations” was held on April 28 th in Brussels and attracted over 100 participants. The event, co-hosted by Kellen Europe and Professor Justin Greenwood from the Aberdeen Business School and College of Europe , has proven yet again to be a successful formula. The conference provided executives the opportunity to discuss with experts and colleagues the following topics:

  • Implementing the change processes in an association

  • Association development in the context of enlargement

  • The future of consultation with, and participation by, EU interest groups

  • Social partnerships and competitiveness objectives in Europe

  • The contribution of research to association effectiveness

More than 20 speakers included, among others, Elspeth Attwooll , Member of the European Parliament, Bernadette Ségol ( UNI-Europa), Bernhard Jansen (European Commission), Joris Pollet (Procter & Gamble ), Michael Bartholomew ( European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association ETNO) and
Jens Nymand Christensen (European Commission) .

“I believe these are really interesting times for anyone involved in European affairs, and in particular those working in and with associations. This is not only because of the EU enlargement, even though it is true that the new Member States are certainly bringing a fresher, more dynamic and more practical look into matters. The many challenges -economic and institutional- require new and more innovative approaches, where all stakeholders have a role to play”, said Ivan Hodac, Secretary General of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

The EuroConference is “a very useful tool” analysing the effectiveness of EU Business Associations “including debate in which interventions ‘“compete’” with each other in a very constructive way”, said Bahadir Kaleagasi, EU Representative of Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD) and to UNICE.

For Liliane Volozinskis, Social Affairs Director, European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME) , the session in which she participated offered “a very good opportunity to reach out to a bigger audience when discussing topics such as the social dialogue”.

Professor Justin Greenwood said: "This was another quality event.  We are attracting a new audience every time.  With a record of five events under our belt, each with over
100 delegates, the EuroConference series is making a contribution to the professional updating and exchange of know how in the business association sector”.

“This conference continued to demonstrate our involvement with the leadership of the association community, explained Alfons Westgeest, Managing Partner, Kellen Europe. “We also took the opportunity to present the main outcomes of a recent survey carried out by EurActiv in partnership with Kellen Europe on ‘Strategy and Governance’ in order to better identify change processes in associations and discuss how to best handle them ”.

Conclusions from that survey underlined the importance of several services that Kellen offers on a EU, US and global level:

  • Strategic planning and adaptability of the association in times of change

  • Governance issues covering mostly composition of the working bodies and communications strategy and lobbying

This event was sponsored by I.R.I.S. DocShare, and media partners European Voice, AmCham EU, EurActiv, Landmarks, ESAE & EIS.

About Kellen Europe
Over the last 15 years, Kellen Europe has gathered considerable expertise that enables the company to rapidly anticipate the needs of emerging or existing associations and to provide tailored organizational solutions.

Kellen Europe is part of the Kellen Company, founded in 1964, and provides association management, government affairs, public relations, meetings management, creative communications, website development and other professional services.

The Kellen Company serves more than 10,000 companies worldwide, either through its
100 client associations or directly, from offices in Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York City, Tucson and Brussels.

For more information, visit www.kelleneurope.com / www.kellencompany.com

Photos can be downloaded in High-Resolution at http://www.kellencompany.com/05-04-05/

Contact Kellen Europe: Stéphanie Heng, Email address: sheng@kelleneurope.com

Tel: +32 2 774 9610

 

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For Immediate Release: April 11, 2005

Contacts: Stéphanie Heng
+32 2 774 9610

5th EDITION OF THE EUROCONFERENCE
Offering association executives key opportunities to share best practices
ON
“THE NEW EUROPEAN AGENDA FOR EU BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS”
(APRIL 28, 2005)

BRUSSELS (April 11, 2005) – Kellen Europe, together with Professor Justin Greenwood from the Aberdeen Business School and College of Europe , will be holding the EuroConference 2005 on April 28 in Brussels.

This year’s EuroConference will focus on "the new agenda for EU business associations" . The conference will provide executives the opportunity to discuss with experts and colleagues the following main topics:

  • Implementing the change processes in an association

  • Associational development in the context of enlargement

  • The future of consultation with, and participation by, EU interest groups

  • Social partnerships and competitiveness objectives in Europe

Confirmed speakers of this year's EuroConference include, and Elspeth Attwooll , Member of the European Parliament, Ivan Hodac (ACEA), Joris Pollet (Procter & Gamble ), Daniela Israelachwili (CIAA), Michael Bartholomew (ETNO) , Bahadir Kaleagasi (EU Delegate of Turkish Industrialist & Business Association), Daniela Obradovic (Lecturer in Law, University of Amsterdam) and Jens Nymand Christensen (Director, European Commission Secretariat General, Relations with Civil Society) .

“This conference is very important to show our involvement with the leadership of the association community. Our contribution is to stimulate networking, visibility and knowledge exchange in research and best practices in the field”, explains Alfons Westgeest, Managing Partner, Kellen Europe. “

This EuroConference is the fifth in a series of successful events since 1999 aimed at analysing the effectiveness of EU Business Associations.

http://www.kelleneurope.com/euroconference/2005_agenda.html

About Kellen Europe
Over the last 15 years, Kellen Europe has gathered considerable expertise that enables the company to rapidly anticipate the needs of emerging or existing associations and to provide tailored organizational solutions.

Kellen Europe is part of the Kellen Company, founded in 1964, and provides association management, government affairs, public relations, meetings management, creative communications, website development and other professional services.

The Kellen Company serves more than 10,000 companies worldwide, either through its
70 client associations or directly, from offices in Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York City, Tucson and Brussels.

For more information, visit www.kelleneurope.com / www.kellencompany.com

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For Immediate Release: March 30, 2005

Contacts: Stéphanie Heng
+32 2 774 9610

KELLEN EUROPE put together big hydrogen and fuel cell conference,
exhibition and "drive and ride" in Brussels

BRUSSELS (March 30, 2005) – Kellen Europe successfully organised the second General Assembly of the European Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Technology Platform held on 17 and 18 March 2005. For the first time in Brussels, a large number of prototype hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles from leading car manufacturers were displayed in one venue. Fuel cell stationary applications and re-fuelling systems were prominently exhibited. European Commissioner Janez Potocnik tested one of a dozen fuel cell cars in the “drive and ride” on the streets of Brussels. The event attracted well over 500 participants and had significant media coverage. The Technology Platform is a European wide project coordinated by Kellen Europe.

This year’s assembly was successful in addressing some of the most pressing issues and to inform and mobilise hydrogen energy stakeholders with respect to the draft Strategic Research Agenda and Deployment Strategy. It covered opportunities for their implementation in the EU’s Research 7 th Framework Programme. The meeting reviewed the status of the hydrogen debate and public activities at national level.

The conference attracted 500 participants and featured high level speakers amongst which European Commissioners and national ministers for research, transport and energy, senior industry executives, Members of the European Parliament; European and national RTD project coordinators and representatives from the financial community.

In parallel to the annual conference, Kellen Europe organised the largest exhibition of hydrogen technology applications ever in Brussels. The exhibition attracted more than 400 students, hundreds of professionals from the sector, and numerous European decision makers to review latest innovations and test the car, bicycle, or wheelchair prototypes. Participants were shuttled in hydrogen-powered buses between the Commission’s Charlemagne conference center, the European Parliament and the exhibition at Autoworld.

“The event was a huge success and proved our firm’s ability to launch the platform and coordinate these exciting events ”, stated Alfons Westgeest, Managing Partner - Kellen Europe. “It was a big boost for the future progress by the platform”.

About Kellen Europe
Kellen Europe provides association management, strategic advice, communications, government affairs, benchmarking studies, Internet services and other professional advice to associations and corporations worldwide. Kellen Europe has gathered considerable expertise to rapidly anticipate the needs of emerging or existing associations and to provide tailored organizational solutions.

The Kellen Company serves more than 10,000 companies worldwide, either through its
70 client associations or directly, from offices in Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York City, Tucson and Brussels.

For more information, visit www.kelleneurope.com and/or www.kellencompany.com.

About the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform
The European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell platform was founded at the end of 2003 and aims at facilitating and accelerating the development and deployment of cost-competitive, world-class European hydrogen and fuel cell based energy systems and component technologies for applications in transport, stationary and portable power.

The consortium for the management of the platform is funded under the 6 th Framework Programme of the EU and consists of Kellen Europe (leader), Brussels, Joint research Centre of the EU, the Netherlands, and L-B-System-Technik, Germany.

For more information, visit www.HFPeurope.org

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For Immediate Release: March 7, 2005

Contacts: Stéphanie Heng
+32 2 774 9610

PRISM INTERNATIONAL OPENS AN OFFICE IN BRUSSELS
AND CONTRACTS WITH KELLEN EUROPE

BRUSSELS (March 7, 2005) – The Board of Directors of Professional Records & Information Services Management - PRISM International has decided to open an office in Brussels. Brussels based Association Management Company Kellen Europe was selected to take on the full management of the EU office and to further its growth in Europe.

PRISM International members include the owners and senior management of leading information management companies among others in the United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Thailand, and in Europe (United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands…). The organization’s mission is to enhance and promote the information management industry, and to provide quality services and education to the industry on an international level.

“With a growing number of European members, it was important for us to open an office in Europe and Brussels was the appropriate place for this. We are looking forward to developing our presence in Europe and assisting companies active in the field. We believe PRISM International can offer excellent benefits for companies in Europe as we can now tailor products and services to their needs. The initiative by PRISM international also proves the increasing demand by associations which expand into global markets and use global firms. For our goal to be achieved, we need to work together with the company members and perfectly understand the European market”, explains Jim Booth, Executive Director of PRISM International. “PRISM International selected Kellen Europe, a professional association management company, as Kellen is well versed in providing leadership to leading organizations like PRISM International”.

PRISM International organizes a yearly European Conference. This year’s conference will focus on “Business Across Borders” and will take place from September 5 to 7, 2005 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

About PRISM International
PRISM International (Professional Records & Information Services Management) is the not-for-profit trade association for companies that provide their clients with protection, access, retention, storage and disposal of their vital information.

Association members receive unmatched industry information, education and a global network from which to gain the tools necessary to provide the highest quality of service to their clients.
For more information, visit www.prismintl.org.

About Kellen Europe
Kellen Europe provides association management, strategic advice, communications, government affairs, benchmarking studies, internet services and other professional advice to associations and corporations worldwide.

Over the last 15 years, Kellen Europe has gathered considerable expertise that enables the company to rapidly anticipate the needs of emerging or existing associations and to provide tailored organizational solutions.

The Kellen Company serves more than 10,000 companies worldwide, either through its
70 client associations or directly, from offices in Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York City, Tucson and Brussels.

For more information, visit www.kelleneurope.com and/or www.kellencompany.com.

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For Immediate Release: October 18, 2004

Contacts: Alfons Westgeest
Stéphanie Heng
+32 2 774 9610

Kellen Europe Demonstrates Growing Importance of Worldwide Associations

Bob Gelardi
Bob Gelardi
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer,
Kellen Company

Alfons Westgeest
Alfons Westgeest
Managing Partner, Kellen Europe

BRUSSELS (October 18, 2004) – Over 150 participants representing the institutions of the European Union, national governments and professional organizations welcomed Kellen Europe at its official launch in Brussels. The debut of Kellen Europe, a leader in the creation, management and representation of associations, emphasizes the growing influence of worldwide associations on key decision-making bodies.

Attending the launch was Rosemary Gallant, Acting Senior Commercial Officer, US Mission to the EU. Gallant expressed the importance of associations in issues of global business and trade, citing the Kellen Company’s key role in assisting its clients in global and government affairs.

Robert-Jan Smits, Acting Director DG Research, European Commission, presented the latest technology platforms associations can benefit from. The European Research Area can help companies and associations with funding to use these platforms to their advantage. Smits also recognized the technological expertise Kellen Europe offers clients like the European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform.

“This event was a very special one for us”, said Alfons Westgeest, Managing partner, Kellen Europe. “Being part of the Kellen Company provides us with the opportunity for continued growth in Europe and the world and gives our clients an opportunity to tap the expertise in all five Kellen Company offices”.

“Today more than ever, business and trade associations want value for the money they expend”, said Bob Gelardi, Chairman and CEO of the Kellen Company. ”We can now provide our global expertise and added value to clients in the context of the expansion of the EU and integration of the world trading community, he noted: “Because we focus on our client concerns, we expect to continue to grow on a global basis, by responding to and anticipating our clients’ needs”.

The Kellen Company is headquartered in Atlanta, with offices in Washington D.C., New York City, Tucson and Brussels. Formerly Ernst & Young Association Management, Kellen Europe was acquired by the Kellen Company in June.

About Kellen Europe
Kellen Europe provides association management, strategic advice, communications, government affairs, benchmarking studies, Internet services and other professional advice to associations and corporations worldwide. Over the last 15 years, Kellen Europe has gathered considerable expertise that enables the company to rapidly anticipate the needs of emerging or existing associations and to provide tailored organizational solutions. For more information, visit www.kelleneurope.com.


About Kellen Company
Founded in 1964, the Kellen Company provides association management, government affairs, public relations, meetings management, creative communications, Web site development and other professional services to associations, as well as individual companies. The Kellen Company serves more than 10,000 companies worldwide, either through its 70 client associations or directly, from offices in Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York City, Tucson and Brussels. For more information, visit www.kellencompany.com.

Photo can be downloaded in High-Resolution at http://www.kellencompany.com/10-18-04/

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For Immediate Release: June 14, 2004

Contacts: Alfons Westgeest
Stéphanie Heng
+32 2 774 9610

Kellen Company Acquires Ernst & Young Association Management Practice in Brussels

ATLANTA (June 14, 2004) -- The Kellen Company has acquired Ernst & Young Association Management N.V. from Ernst & Young Special Services in Brussels, Belgium. Ernst & Young Association Management has been renamed Kellen Europe. As a result of this acquisition, the Kellen Company will become the largest international association management company with a full-service subsidiary in the heart of the European market.

The Kellen Company is a premier professional services firm that provides association management, communications, government relations, meetings management and interactive services to associations and companies worldwide. Ernst & Young Association Management, a European leader in the creation, management and representation of trade associations, operated for more than 15 years as a business unit within Ernst & Young International.

The combined company will serve more than 10,000 companies worldwide, either through its 70 client associations or directly. Kellen will now have five strategically located offices, in Brussels and Washington, DC, as well as New York, Atlanta and Tucson.

"Adding a Brussels office provides our clients with professional capabilities to deal with any issue in the European Union," said Bob Gelardi, Chairman & CEO, Kellen Company. "The professionals at Ernst & Young Association Management share our commitment to our values and this provides them with the opportunity for continued growth."

Kellen Company and Ernst & Young Association Management established a strategic partnership in 2002. Ernst & Young, as part of its strategy of fully guaranteeing the independence of its statutory auditors within the framework of the law on Corporate Governance, decided to sell non-core practices. Alfons Westgeest will continue as the Managing Partner of Kellen Europe.

"I am delighted to be joining the professionals at Kellen Company," said Mr. Westgeest. "This provides us with an opportunity to continue to grow our practice in Europe and throughout the world. It is already providing benefits for our clients to tap the expertise in Kellen's other offices."

"With increasing globalization, it is important for us to lead our clients with resources and knowledge they need. With the expansion of the EU and the integration of the world trading community, our expertise on both continents will provide added value to our clients," noted Peter Rush, President & COO, Kellen Company.

Visit www.kellencompany.com or www.kelleneurope.com for further information.

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