AEO LEADS INDUSTRY-WIDE MOVEMENT TO CHAMPION CAREERS IN EVENTS

The Association of Event Organisers (AEO) has today launched a new industry-wide movement under the #ChooseEvents banner, bringing together hundreds of event organisers, venues, suppliers, agencies and partners across global markets to champion careers in events and inspire the next generation of industry professionals.

Taking place on 1 - 4 September 2026, #ChooseEvents unites the industry behind a single message: events are powered by people.

As the global events industry continues to grow, attracting and developing future talent has become a shared priority. In the UK alone, the business events industry contributes £11.5 billion to the economy each year, supports more than 126,000 jobs and attracts more than 7.2 million visitors annually just one example of the significant economic and social impact the events industry delivers around the world. Yet despite that impact, many people remain unaware of the breadth and diversity of careers the sector offers.

As artificial intelligence transforms the way people work and communicate, the demand for meaningful face-to-face experiences continues to grow. That makes the events industry an exciting place to build a career, creating opportunities to bring people together and build communities.

Throughout the week, businesses across the industry will share employee stories, career journeys and behind-the-scenes content, shining a spotlight on the people who deliver conferences, exhibitions, corporate events, festivals, sporting events and live experiences around the world.

More than a one-week campaign, #ChooseEvents has been created as an annual movement. AEO's ambition is to unite the global events community each year to celebrate its people, raise the profile of careers in events and strengthen the talent pipeline for the future.

Anna Golden, Chief Executive of AEO, said:

"Events create opportunities for businesses to grow, ideas to flourish and communities to connect. Every event, regardless of its size or location, is made possible by talented people whose creativity, expertise and passion bring experiences to life.

With #ChooseEvents, we're coming together as one industry to celebrate those people, showcase the incredible careers our sector offers and inspire the next generation to see events as a profession full of opportunity. Together, we can tell a far more powerful story about our industry than any organisation can alone."

The movement will culminate at the AEO Conference (3 September, Vox NEC Birmingham), where industry leaders will reaffirm their commitment to investing in people and championing careers across the events sector.

As an association with an international focus, AEO believes collaboration across global markets is essential to attracting and developing the talent that will shape the future of the industry. #ChooseEvents provides a shared platform for organisations worldwide to celebrate their people, tell their stories and demonstrate the value of a career in events.

Businesses and professionals are invited to join the movement from 1–4 September 2026 by sharing their stories using #ChooseEvents.