AEO legal services support hub

Your specialist legal partner for the exhibitions, conferences and events industry

nQ legal is the legal services partner to AEO, providing commercially focused legal advice to organisers, venues, suppliers and businesses operating across the exhibitions, trade show, conference and wider events sector.

Unlike general commercial law firms, we understand how the industry works. We advise businesses on the legal and commercial issues that arise throughout the lifecycle of exhibitions, conferences and events, from venue and supplier contracts to regulatory compliance, sponsorship, intellectual property, employment matters, disputes and business growth.

Whether you need a quick answer to an everyday legal question or support with a significant commercial project, our team combines specialist legal expertise with a genuine understanding of the commercial and operational challenges facing the sector.

The AEO legal services support hub has been created to give members straightforward access to experienced lawyers who understand your industry and provide practical, commercially focused advice.

Find out more about nQ legal

Our advice is practical, commercially focused and tailored to the exhibitions, conferences and events sector, including:

Commercial contracts – drafting, reviewing and negotiating supplier agreements, venue contracts, sponsorship agreements, terms and conditions, technology contracts and other key commercial arrangements.
Regulatory compliance – helping you navigate UK and international regulations, including health and safety, UK GDPR, AI governance, environmental and sustainability requirements, EUDR, accessibility obligations and Martyn's Law.
Data protection & AI – advising on UK GDPR compliance, international data transfers, delegate and exhibitor data, AI policies, the use of generative AI in your business, procurement and deployment of AI solutions, and managing legal and regulatory risk.
Intellectual property & brand protection – protecting your brands, content, event formats, software, marketing materials and other valuable intellectual property, together with licensing and exploitation advice.
Commercial property – advice on venue agreements, licences, leases, wayleaves and other property arrangements affecting your events and business operations.
Corporate & strategic advice – supporting investment, acquisitions, disposals, restructures, shareholder matters, joint ventures and international transactions.
Employment & HR – practical advice on employment law, consultancy arrangements, workforce issues, policies, senior exits and the changing UK employment law landscape.
Dispute resolution – resolving disputes with suppliers, venues, exhibitors, sponsors, customers and other commercial partners, whether through negotiation, mediation or litigation where necessary.
Licensing & specialist regulation – advice on licensing, gambling regulation, promotional activities and other sector-specific legal requirements.
Immigration & international mobility – supporting visa and immigration requirements for overseas staff, exhibitors, speakers and other participants.
Charities & not-for-profit organisations – governance, constitutional matters, regulatory compliance and commercial support for charities, membership organisations and other not-for-profit bodies.

Free legal advice

As an AEO member, you can claim one hour of free legal advice from nQ legal on a wide range of business matters, from commercial contracts and employment law to regulatory compliance, intellectual property and dispute resolution.

Discounted rate

Should further support be required, AEO members benefit from a 20% discount on nQ legal's standard rates, giving them access to expert legal advice tailored to the events industry.

To get started, email aeo@nqlegal.co.uk