“We have just completed a ‘Surgical Fellows’ reunion in Edinburgh organised superbly by ACS Global. From the start to the finish their efficiency, response to queries and proactive management of the whole event was outstanding, particularly considering the large number of delegates from all over the world. As a result we had a most memorable meeting and highly recommend them to anyone who wishes to organise similar meetings in the future.”

Rowan Parks, Professor of Surgical Sciences and Honorary Consultant Surgeon;

Simon Paterson-Brown, Consultant General & Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon and Honorary Senior Lecturer;

Stephen J Wigmore, Professor of Transplantation Surgery
University of Edinburgh

“I have been supported by Camilla O’Brien and her team in a number of ways over recent years. I can recommend ACS Global unreservedly since they have delivered professional and efficient advice to me in managing the surgical organisations and conferences with which I have been involved over the years. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with them since they are effective problem solvers and networkers. They have demonstrated an excellent understanding of the obligations required to run a charity and business. I cannot recommend them highly enough.”

O James Garden CBE MD FRCSEd FRCPEd FRSE
Regius Professor of Clinical Surgery
University of Edinburgh

“I have had the distinct pleasure of working with the team at ACS Global over the last two years as a scientific program director for a major international surgical society. In short, their support has been spectacular. I have had the fortune of working with these true professionals. Their responsiveness is superior and their attention to detail is exceptional. They have significantly eased the process of delivering a large international Congress through their proactive, knowledgeable style. They know how to push the ball down the court. Beyond that, they are wonderful human beings who I now count among my friends. Working with ACS Global has been among my more memorable professional experiences.”

Charles M. Vollmer, Jr, MD
University of Pennsylvania
Perelman School of Medicine

“I have worked with ACS Global for a few years and can honestly say that this is a highly professional and supportive outfit. Professional Association work can be taxing on already busy professional life, yet ACS Global through their incredible professional and efficient systems have made this aspect of my own life seamless and incredibly rewarding. Their depth and breadth of skills and ability to effect solutions are commendable. No project or activity is too much trouble for them. They always have their finger on the pulse and are there when you need them. As a group ACS Global have become the standard against which all such organisations should be judged.”

Prof Martin D Smith
Assistant Head of School of Clinical Medicine
Academic Head of the Department of Surgery
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

“Faced with a behemoth task, such as running an international conference, the workload is daunting and every detail needs careful consideration. I had this experience in 2016, and working with ACS Global made this process feasible, organised, manageable, and enjoyable. As a busy academic surgeon it is only possible to succeed in these endeavours with good partnerships. This group is extraordinarily responsive, thorough, and warm. I hope to work closely with them in the future.”

Prof David A. Kooby
Chief of Emory Surgery
Northern Arc Emory University School of Medicine

“IHPBA is very fortunate to have ACS Global as the association management team. The team has been able to work with Presidents and officers from different countries, understanding the needs and translating them into prompt action. It is a team with different skill sets, not only in meeting management but also for legal help, negotiation of contracts and for conference management. The group of committed ladies – Camilla, Alison, Jen, Anne and Carol – has been closely associated with IHPBA for the last three years. The insights and advice by the management team were very helpful in many other situations. What has impressed me most is the commitment to the association and promptness in action. I would grade them as an A+ team for any professional association.”

Dr P Jagannath
Chairman, Dept. of Surgical Oncology
Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai India

“I would like to record my appreciation to Jillian Hart for her work as Interim General Manager at ENT UK covering maternity leave during the 2nd half of 2020. Jill was exceptional in her work and led the team through very difficult times during the pandemic and especially in the run-up to BACO, our premier international conference.  BACO was converted to a virtual format at short notice and was delivered completely in-house for the very first time.  This was a resounding success thanks to Jill overseeing the events team while maintaining the rest of the work for Executives and Trustees.  We almost did not notice the absence of our General Manager, thanks to Jill!”

Prof B Nirmal Kumar
Consultant Otolaryngologist-Head & Neck Surgeon
Director of Medical Education
Wrightington Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
President, ENT UK

“The Alpine Liver and Pancreatic Surgery (ALPS) Meeting is a highly successful event that has now been running for over 15 years in the Italian Dolomites.  It brings together surgeons, physicians and scientists with an interest in hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease, especially cancer, from all over the world.  When we started it was a small UK-based event but has grown in size and complexity since.  For many years it was run from an academic university department based on the goodwill of long-suffering staff.  This enabled us to run the meeting economically without commercial sponsorship, and for it to be economical for surgical trainees.  However, as the event grew, it became impossible to run in this fashion and we sought a conference organiser.  After a process, we selected ACS Global as the organiser and Jillian became the lead. 

Jillian’s engagement in running the meeting has been transformational, especially for the team who previously had to run it.  Her organisation has been implacable with considerable attention to detail.  She has a very calm manner which is necessary when dealing with both delegates and the various organisation and suppliers.   One other area of benefits of having Jillian is dealing with delegates in a sensitive yet firm way.  Anybody who has run a conference will know the 95% of attendees never have any problems but all the problems arise from the remaining 5% who seem incapable of doing anything organisationally without support!  Removal of this burden has been invaluable!

One of the concerns we had in using a professional conference organiser was the costs.  The ALPS Meeting ran on a zero profit basis and was fully paid for by delegates including the organisers.   Jillian was able to look at the budget and identify areas where cost savings could be made with minimal detriment to the meeting or attendance costs, the meeting has continued to grow and in 2019 reached the capacity for the venue. 

On a personal level, I have really enjoyed working with Jillian.  She is really easy to work with, always cheerful and nothing is ever too big a problem.  The own downside is in the skiing – progress has been “below expectations”!”

Prof John Primrose
Professor of Surgery
University of Southampton