Cross Association Diversity & Inclusion Group

AEO

Consumers are evolving, choosing brands and employers that are reflective of the society that surrounds them. Many are becoming less tolerant to exclusion, more accepting of diversity and have higher expectations on their employers to pro-actively demonstrate the same values. The event industry recognises it is behind and needs to evolve at a greater rate to replicate the societies we live in.

A statement from the group chairs

Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) has always been vital to society’s progression. Now, more than ever, there’s a real opportunity for each of us to accelerate our learning, become conscious of our own prejudices, and hold others to account.

We are committed to both providing content that supports association members in their learning, and creating ways to promote D&I in our industry. To achieve this, we’ve opened the Cross Association D&I Working Group up to anyone wanting to help us achieving our purpose, and look forward to hearing from you!

ops group

Who is it for?

This is open to all members across all departments and demographics. We will actively encourage engagement with all persons, as we believe this will ultimately progress the group’s objectives.

To find out more about the Diversity & Inclusion Group's strategy for 2021;

Please click here

2021 Diary Dates

13th April (virtual)
26th May (virtual)
7th July (virtual)
17th August
28th September

Hosted by the Cross Association Diversity & Inclusion Working Group Chair and Portfolio Director at Phacilitate, Michael Adeniya, viewers were able to ask Ashanti Bentil-Dhue Co-Founder of Diversity Ally and CEO of EventMind anything.

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
The AEO provides an opportunity to make a difference, to work with other companies for the good of the industry as a whole, but beyond that, it provides it’s members with valuable insight and tangible benefits to grow your business, upskill and engage your teams. For those reasons, our membership is in indelible ink on the each annual budget. In short, if you aren’t a member, you are missing out.

Ed Tranter
73 Media

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