ISO standard
Global events industry gains recognition with new ISO Technical Committee
UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, has welcomed the approval of a new ISO Technical Committee on Events( TC 354), which it sees as a major milestone in advancing international standards for the global events sector. The association has championed efforts to gain recognition of the industry by the ISO standard.
TC 354 is managed by AFNOR( Association Française de Normalisation) and its scope spans event formats and purposes, from academic conferences and business exhibitions to sporting competitions and live entertainment. Its work will establish standards for event management, addressing key areas such as terminology, metrics, crisis management, safety and security, technology, and accessibility. In addition, the TC will feature a Sub-Committee on Sustainability in Event Management, building on the legacy of PC 250, which developed ISO 20121 on event sustainability management systems.
With 17 countries already participating, TC 354 marks a significant step in recognising the events industry as a key global sector and establishing harmonised international standards that benefit the entire event ecosystem, including host destinations, organisers, venues, service providers, and participants.
UFI president Hugh Jones described the recognition as“ a landmark moment for our industry. For the first time, we have a dedicated ISO committee
Hugh Jones
to define and align global standards for events. TC 354 recognises the vital role our sector plays worldwide, not only as a driver of economies and industries, but also of knowledge and professionalism. I encourage our colleagues and partners worldwide to support this initiative to ensure our collective expertise shapes the standards that will define the future of our events and our industry”.
Franck Lebeugle, general manager of AFNOR’ s Standardisation Unit, added:“ Twelve months after paving the way for responsibility in event management with Paris 2024, AFNOR is proud to lead ISO / TC 354, thanks to the collective work carried out with numerous stakeholders, led by UFI. Standardisation can provide a shared framework to address the events industry’ s multiple challenges and is a key tool to meet the sector’ s expectations to harmonise innovation, accessibility, sustainability, safety, and profitability. We invite all interested parties to join and contribute to this initiative.”
CEO of event measurement platform Explori, Mark Brewster also welcomed the creation of ISO TC 354 is“ an important landmark for the global events industry”.
“ At a time when the cost of event marketing is rising sharply, and when customers and stakeholders are demanding ever more rigorous accountability, the establishment of a unified global framework could not be more timely,” Brewster said.“ Events will play a uniquely critical role in an increasingly AI-dominated world – offering the human connection, trust, and shared experience that no technology can replicate. To secure that role, our industry must rise to the challenge of measuring and proving impact with the same consistency and credibility as any other marketing channel. This new ISO committee represents a significant step forward in delivering the standards and clarity our sector needs to thrive in the decade ahead.”
Industry members and stakeholders keen to engage with national standards bodies to ensure industry perspectives are represented at the highest international level or to simply get more information on TC 354, are encouraged to visit the iso. org website. EW www. exhibitionworld. co. uk Issue 5 2025 31