AEO UK Organiser Group

AEO

group The UK Organiser Group connects AEO events organisers who operate in the UK through meetings and events. Their responsibilities are to drive association policy and raise awareness of the importance and value of the sector with; Government, regulators and other associations that may not understand their value.

A statement from the group chairs

The UK Organiser Group has undergone a shift in recent years in terms of engagement, none more than in 2020 where we have seen members wanting to collaborate more than ever to pull themselves through the current crisis.

It’s been one of the few positives to have come out of the pandemic, seeing industry heads at all levels come together to support one another by sharing their experiences and learnings for the benefit of all.

We had the success of the UK CEO Summit in October, where we joined our venue counterparts to look a better ways of working and solutions to enable the return of events in 2021 – something that we will continue to work on, with a view to become more united in our outputs.

Next year we will continue to push for solution driven actions, learn more about the work that our AEO Working Groups have completed and explore ways in which the industry can recover as we return to live.

We aim to come back stronger than ever, seeking further recognition as a sector and cementing that face to face is truly the best way of conducting business.

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Who is it for?

Membership of this group is by invitation only for members at senior level (CEO, MD and Portfolio Director), speakers from industry or other associations may be invited at the request of the group.

To find out more about the UK Organiser Group's strategy for 2021;

Please click here

2021 Diary Dates

20th January (virtual)
24th March (virtual)
30th June
20th October (CEO Summit)
21st October

Back to Working Groups

"Broadway Events joined the AEO on the Enterprise Membership. We’ve already taken advantage of the many benefits including the excellent FaceTime Masterclasses and training guides for exhibitors."

Emma Barrett
Broadway Events
"We are a member of the AEO because it is a proactive association for the events industry. As an organiser it provides us with high value ideas, networking, guidance and information."

David Harrison
PPMA Group
"This year, the association has led working groups to address industry issues and put on some amazing events full of insightful content for both organisers and, through the AEOs FaceTime initiative, exhibitors. In addition, the AEO has represented the industry at a Governmental level to raise awareness of the importance of events to the UK economy."

Paul Byrom
Upper Street Events
"I genuinely believe that if you’re involved in organising events you should become a member of the AEO."

Simon Kimble
Clarion Events
"Our membership of the AEO represents real and tangible value for UBM - it provides fantastic networking opportunities, practical training for our team as well as valuable insight into the state of our industry."

Simon Parker
Informa Markets
"As an Association business, we appreciate the excellent work the secretariat of the AEO do for our community. From the events side of our business, the AEO provides an excellent return on investment, providing thought leadership, fantastic networking, brilliant awards, excellent research and FaceTime, a valuable tool to tell our markets why exhibitions and events should be an essential part of the marketing mix."

Neil Felton
FESPA
"AEO’s networking and member meetings are valuable for individuals at all levels within our organisation. The promotion of our sector to the outside world, to government, authorities and business at large is another vital aspect of the AEO’s purpose for members, many of whom, like my company, work on events throughout the world."

Stephen Brooks
Mack Brooks Exhibitions
“Knowledge is power and the AEO dinners are certainly powerful, there is always a wealth of knowledge at the table. Insightful presentations make for a constructive and extremely social way to learn from the experts who’ve done it before. I attended the Japanese evening and gained really valuable insight about the culture and how best to communicate with a local audience.”

John Whitaker
Vice President Marketing, Data & Digital , dmg events
"We have the opportunity to contribute positively to the industry as well as gaining valuable insight and advice. There’s no need to spend valuable time and money reinventing the wheel when you have so many experienced professionals in AEO membership to learn from”

Emma Cartmell
CHS Group
"JOINING THE AEO HAS BEEN FANTASTIC! Being able to gift our customers with free places at the FaceTime masterclasses, learn alongside industry peers and seek advice to common challenges is invaluable”

Sharon Azam
GovNet Communications
I just wanted to send my most sincere thanks for everything that you and the AEO team are doing to help navigate the events industry through the pandemic. The working groups and communication from the AEO have been excellent and I’m really appreciative of being part of such a wonderful organisation.

Simon Burns
ICHF Events
I think what the AEO has been doing during this tough time has been exceptional.

Greg Cherry
QD Events LTD
It is so useful to hear from your peers at this time. Please pass my thanks to Ruth and the BTIG panel

Dan Assor
CloserStill Media
Just wanted to thank you and Ruth this morning for the Zoom meeting - it was really interesting to hear how things are moving along in the virtual/hybrid meeting/exhibitions. All very new to me, so a lot to digest.

Maureen Wright
Optic UK
The session this morning was fantastic. We are right in the midst of this and the information was so useful. We can apply it immediately

Claire Adams
FESPA

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