AEO CONFERENCE 2026 BREAKS ATTENDANCE RECORD WITH 300 ATTENDEES

The Association of Event Organisers (AEO) welcomed a record 300 attendees to the AEO Conference 2026 at the Vox, NEC Birmingham on 3 September.

Under the theme “Dare to win”, the conference brought the events industry together for a day of discussion around some of the biggest issues and opportunities facing organisers, from AI and changing business models to leadership, high performance and growth.

AEO Chair Andrew Williams, EVP Industrial Group at Informa Markets, opened the conference before performance psychologist and culture coach Dr Pippa Grange took to the stage. Drawing on her experience in elite sport, including with the England football team, Grange explored what high performance really looks like and how leaders can better manage pressure within their teams.

The programme went on to explore the practical application of AI, scaling businesses without losing their entrepreneurial culture, the changing nature of sales and how established events can continue to evolve.

Speakers included Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS; Gareth Bowhill, CEO of CloserStill Media; Louise White, CEO of Sift; and Doug Emslie, Chairman of Cuil Bay Capital, alongside senior leaders from across the AEO community.

Anna Golden, CEO of AEO, said: “It was fantastic to welcome a record 300 people to the conference this year. Our biggest audience yet reflects the appetite to come together, challenge our thinking and learn from each other.

“Dare to win was about challenging some of the ways we think and work as an industry. We covered everything from AI and entrepreneurship to leadership and high performance, but what really came through was the importance of being open to change, trying new things and being prepared to take a risk.

“A huge thank you to our speakers, sponsors, partners and everyone who joined us and made the day what it was.”

The conference was followed by the AEO x NEC Sunset Session, where delegates came together to mark the NEC’s 50th anniversary.