Blog posts

This morning I was privileged to be asked to chair a session for the AEO cross association working group on the subject of Diversity and Inclusion.

The working group has produced a raft of resources available to members and non-members that I think are incredibly valuable especially if you’re unsure of the subject and want to further your own learning about how we can make our industry more inclusive. Have a look here – it’s all free.

There are a few thoughts that I had from the session as well as some of the questions asked that I thought would be worth sharing.

Events are still considered the most important marketing tool for a company, and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a solidarity to the events industry in a way which we’ve never seen before. As we discuss and champion the importance of what we bring to the economy, we must acknowledge the pivotal role we play in our society. As a body that represents companies that conceive, create, develop or manage trade and consumer events, the AEO is well positioned to make a difference to society, and lead the way for Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) within the events industry.

A year ago almost to the day, the AEO team set out its objectives for the year ahead, which focussed on engagement both internally within the membership and externally with government. We’d built up the team; welcoming our first apprentice, Zahra, and a new role looking at data in Carly. So, we had a new team, new office, and a full programme of working groups and events, supported by research projects, sponsors and partners to look forward to.

Ruth Carter, Red Fox AdvisoryThe newly branded AEO Technology and Digital Events Group gathered together senior-level representatives from pretty much every major exhibition organiser (socially distanced of course) to talk ‘all things digital events’, and I wanted to share with you the key discussion areas, learnings and light bulb moments.

 

Ruth Carter, Red Fox Advisory

AEO Technology and Digital Events Group Chair

The AEO International Group, like so many, has tried to continue to support and meet, albeit virtually and without travel, over these tough times.

Most recently we brought together - again - a panel of key leaders from around the event world to discuss the latest updates.

 

Simon Foster, Chair of the AEO International Group

While the pandemic continues to punctuate our thoughts, our work and the headlines, the fight for gender equality in the workplace remains an important one.

There have been pockets of gender-based conversations happening in the events world for as long as I can remember and while progress felt slow for a long time, there are positive signs of acceleration, with more people stepping up to do their bit to make a change.

Emma Barrett - Managing Director - Broadway Events// member of the AEO Council