After 29 years, the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP®) has established a chapter in Eastern Europe region with the kick-off of APMP Romania yesterday. The new chapter launched with its first meeting and a celebration kick-off dinner in the capital city of Bucharest.
Despite the strength of other European high-profile chapters like APMP UK, DACH, APMP Netherlands, APMP Ireland and APMP Nordic, this is the first time that APMP has been able to establish a foothold in Eastern Europe, a long-coveted region.
The expansion is timely and is needed to serve the growing ranks of bid and proposal professionals in Romania. The country was recognized as the fastest-growing economy in the EU in 2018 with an estimated GDP growth rate of 6.4 percent. Countries like Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary are also growing quicker than more established economies in Western Europe. The region’s low unemployment and an eager, highly educated and dependable workforce have accelerated growth in Romania.
APMP Romania will primarily serve bid and proposal professionals in the IT and telecom industries – two of the fastest-growing markets in the region. The chapter will start with 23 members and aim for reaching another 50 members in the next year. The plan is to aim for conservative growth while delivering quality content and exceptional value to members of APMP Romania; many of whom who are experiencing APMP membership for the first time. Several APMP members have already achieved Foundation Level certification and some are even certified at the Practitioner Level.
Ginny Carson, APMP Chair, said APMP’s new Romanian chapter is “an investment in people and the industries winning business in Eastern Europe. The members will add their important voices and experiences to APMP’s global conversation about what it takes to win business. This relationship will deliver mutual benefit for both Romania and APMP,” she said.
The potential of APMP Romania was brought to the association’s attention by Brad Douglas, Executive Vice President of Global Strategy for Shipley Associates almost a year ago. Shipley is a Corporate Member in Romania and helped establish the chapter. As one of APMP’s founding companies 29 years ago, Shipley has been a large part of the association’s growth and success.
“APMP’s long-standing partnership with Shipley made this launch possible,” said Rick Harris, CEO of APMP. “This is a collaborative expansion that is good for our association, its members, the profession and for a trusted partner like Shipley,” he added.
APMP Romania’s members held their first meeting yesterday and nominated a Board of Directors, finalized a voting procedure, and talked about their vision and mission. Once Board elections have concluded, they will hold a chapter meeting to begin establishing the chapter’s goals on membership and in-country events focused on best practice.
APMP Romania becomes only the sixth European chapter and the 29th overall. It will be joined this year by two additional new APMP chapters in France and the Middle East/North Africa.
For more information or questions about APMP Romania, please contact Mr. Harris at +1 240-308-0143 or rick.harris@apmp.org.
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