THE SEAP IN PERSPECTIVE

The Society of European Public Affairs Professionals (SEAP) counts 299 individuals who are active as European Affairs practitioners in consultancies, law firms, trade associations and individual companies with representations in Brussels. The SEAP has also members from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and think tanks and is open to representatives of the EU trade unions or any other orgaisations of interest representatives.

When looking closely at the membership breakdown one observes that more than one-third of the SEAP membership (34.6%) is actually comprised of individuals coming primarily from 4 entities (Unilever with 53 members account for 17.8% of the total membership, followed by Interel European Affairs (19 members or 6.4% of the total membership, Cabinet DN (17 members or 5.7% of the total membership and EPPA (14 members or 4.7% of the total membership). It is assumed that individuals from these four organisations must play a determinant role in the General Meetings of the SEAP, stronly impulse the programmes and direction of the association in view of their contributions to total revenues.

Another observation that needs to be made relates to the measurement of the SEAP membership against the estimated figure of 15,000 individuals working in the policy advocacy field in Brussels. The SEAP membership figure equates to only 0.2%. Even assuming that out of the 15,000 individuals only 20% are really professional practitioners (the rest being back up and staff) the Brussels population of 'professionals' would amount to 3,000 and the SEAP membership would equate to 10%.

This would indicate that many individuals who work in interest representation are not eager and/or do not see the value of joining a professional association be it the SEAP or AALEP for that matter. Yet, practitioners should realize that membership in a professional organization is an investment in their professional credibility. It is an investment in personal development and growth (self-improvement, education, ethics, new ideas, programmes, validation of ideas, professional improvement. Membership in a professional organization is a way to stay connected to other colleagues who are going somewhere, and don't mind sharing knowledge on the journey.

Perhaps a deterrent to membership may be cost and lack of time. Within an economic and cultural environment that requires balancing multiple demands, professional associations including AALEP need to consider the limited time available to interest representatives (public policy advocates) and examine ways to provide professional development opportunities that are more easily accessible.

Affiliations of the SEAP Members: 2M Public Affairs; Accenture; Advizors.eu; Agawell Associates; AGEP; Alcoa Europe; AmCham EU; Anthenor; Apco Worldwide; Apple; Arboretum Communications; Aspect Consulting; Athenora; BDDF Studio Legale; Blueprint Partners; Cabinet DB; Cabinet DN; Cabinet Schell; Cabinet Storrer; CBBS; CECCM; CECIMO; CEFIC; CEMA-European Agricultural Machinery; CERAME-UNIE; ChorusConsult; Clifford Chance; CORE; Cos & Co- European Law and Advocacy Advisers; Croatian Employers’ Association; Danks Erhverv-Danish Chamber of Commerce; Diplomat Communications; DODS; DSM; Dutch Institute of Chartered Accountants; Eacon Group; ECA; ECC-The Association of European Vehicle Logistics; Electrolux; ENEL; EPPA; Escuela De Negocios; ESL & Network European Affairs; Espacom; EU Salt; EU Warehouse; EUK Consulting; EUREC; EURIMA; Eurographics; Eurogypsum; Euromines; European Aluminium Association; European Coffee Federation; European Consulting Company; European Expanded Clay Association; European Microfinance Platform; European Travel Retail Consortium; Europen; FCD; Fellowship of European Broadcasters; Ferrero Group; FIA; Freshfield Bruckhaus Deringer; FTI Consulting; Fullilove Consulting; Gbat Beckenham; Gellis Communications; Gibbels Public Affairs; Grayling; Haverech; Hippconsult European & PA; Hyundai; IKUN; ING; INRA; Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales; Interel European Affairs; Joint Brussels Office of the Law Societies; Jurka P.S.A. GmbH; Kellen Europe; Kellogg Company; Kraft Foods; Kreab Gavin Anderson; Kurt Salmon; L’Oréal; LGR GmbH; LVMH; MasterCard Worldwide; Mattel; Matthias Meier; McDonalds; Merck Sharp & Dohme Romania; Nederlandse Gasunie; O-I Europe; Omniconsul; Ordnance Survey; Orpheus Public Affairs; Peak PR; Pepsico International; Point Public Affairs; Policy Action; Political Intelligence; Procter and Gamble; RICS; RTL Group; SC Fanfara Relatii Publice SRL; Schuman Associates ; Sedari ; Skalda ; Tetra Pak International; The Brewers of Europe; The Centre; Toyota; Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce; UEPG European Aggregates Association; Unilever; United Partners; Visa Europe Services; WFA; Whitingeaton Associates; Wider EU, World Federation of Advertisers; Xerox Corporation; Zehfuss & Lang Public Affairs.

Note: There are an estimated 3,000 interest groups in Brussels.