BCD M&E Wins Spirit of Vodafone Award 2022

LUXEMBOURG – October 27, 2022 – BCD Meetings & Events (BCD M&E), global experts in corporate meetings and events are awarded the Spirit of Vodafone Award at the Vodafone Arch Summit in Luxembourg.

The award recognizes BCD M&E’s valued efforts in a recent humanitarian endeavor to safeguard NEQSOL employees in Ukraine, following growing unrest across the country in early Spring.

Vodafone Ukraine, which was acquired by NEQSOL in 2019, approached BCD M&E for help evacuating 1900 members of staff and their families to 12 safe locations across Europe, including Spain and the Netherlands. In less than 24 hours, the meetings and events company had mobilized a rapid response team of eight people, led by Jennifer Munro, Global Program Lead, and Magdalena Biernacka, who served as Local Project Manager in neighboring Poland.

The mission began by procuring two charter planes to transport evacuees to safety and, within 48 hours, the team had sourced 30,000 nights in hotel rooms. From thereon, BCD M&E were responsible for coordinating ex-military and special forces units, border reconnaissance and safety assessments, transfers and logistics, hotel sourcing and medical provisions. The team also provided wellbeing and psychosocial support by providing recreational activities for families and children.

Mikael Ek, Managing Director of EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Asia) at BCD M&E says “We are not a business that usually handles emergency evacuations but our experience in dealing with complex logistics and crisis management in the events sector means that we were able to step up and support our partners on this critical occasion.”

Mikael Ek and Michèle Jensen moments after receiving the award from Oleg Croitoru, Principal Category Manager at Vodafone (right).

“I am immensely proud to accept this award on behalf of BCD Meetings & Events. It represents a partnership that stretches far beyond business, reflecting a relationship that’s rooted in purpose and shared values. I wish to congratulate Jennifer and her team for the tireless effort and formidable spirit they showed in response to one of the most critical briefs in our company’s history.”