AEO FORUMS 2027 LAUNCHES: RAISE YOUR GAME

Headline sponsors: Aztec Event Services and Yahire

The Association of Event Organisers (AEO) has announced that the AEO Forums 2027 will take place on Friday 29 January 2027 at the Business Design Centre, London.

The AEO Forums is the industry’s go-to learning and networking event for junior to middle management professionals across marketing, sales and operations. Each stream brings together expert-led sessions, practical discussions and opportunities to learn from others across the industry, giving attendees ideas and tools they can take back to their roles and businesses.

The theme for 2027, “Raise your game,” will focus on what it takes to keep developing, performing and progressing in an industry that never stands still.

Across the day, the programme will explore how event professionals can sharpen their skills, challenge the way they work and build the confidence to take their performance to the next level. From improving day-to-day decision making and getting more from teams, to developing new skills and learning from those doing things differently, the focus will be firmly on practical takeaways that can make a difference back in the workplace.

The 2027 programmes will once again be shaped and chaired by industry leaders across the three Forums:

• Ashley Cox, chief marketing officer, Raccoon Media Group: Marketing stream
• Natasha Jackson, group experience & operations director, Terrapinn: Operations stream
• Jonathan Kinchin, group head of sales, Nineteen Group: Sales stream

Together, they will help shape the content, guide discussions and ensure each stream tackles the challenges and opportunities most relevant to event professionals working across the industry today.

Anna Golden, chief executive officer at AEO, said:

“Raise your game is about giving people the opportunity to step outside of the day-to-day, learn from others and think about how they can keep developing in their roles.

“The Forums has always been about practical learning and honest conversations with people who understand the realities of working in events. We want attendees to leave with fresh ideas, greater confidence and actionable takeaways they can genuinely put into practice when they get back to work.”

Lisa Tyson, deputy managing director at Aztec Event Services said:

 "Aztec is thrilled to be joining the AEO Forums as a headline sponsor once again. This year's theme directly aligns with our own mission of 'raising your game' across the industry, empowering all event professionals to innovate, collaborate, and push boundaries."

Taran O’Doherty, co-founder at Yahire, added:
“We’re delighted to be a headline sponsor of the AEO Forums, particularly at the Business Design Centre, where we have our own showroom and office. Over the past 15 years, Yahire has grown into one of UK’s leading event furniture hire specialists, supplying more than 100,000 events and developing our own in-house technology to drive innovation and service. As an ambitious business, we’re proud to support an event that brings together the people shaping the future of our industry.”

Charlotte Barker, head of venue sales at Business Design Centre, official event venue partner, said:

“We couldn't be happier to welcome the AEO Forums back to the Business Design Centre in 2027.

“As one of the most valuable dates in the event industry's calendar, the Forums bring event organisers together to share knowledge, tackle common challenges and shape the future of our sector. The collaboration and open discussion that take place at the event play an important role in strengthening the industry and supporting its continued growth.

“We're proud to provide the setting for these conversations and look forward to welcoming event professionals from across the UK back to Islington next year.”

Date: Friday 29 January 2027
Venue: Business Design Centre, London
Headline sponsors: Aztec Event Services and Yahire
Website: www.aeoforums.org.uk