AEO
A year of collaboration and progress
Outgoing chief executive officer of the UK ' s AEO , Chris Skeith reflects on 2024 and the potential for 2025
eflecting on 2024 , I am
R proud of the progress we ’ ve made at the Association of Event Organisers ( AEO ), driven by the incredible support of our members . In 2024 , we ’ ve concentrated on what truly matters to our industry – advocacy , community , collaboration , and driving meaningful change . With the shared energy and commitment of our members , we ’ ve reached key milestones , elevating our sector and building a foundation for a brighter future .
Member engagement as a priority Since stepping into her role as AEO chair in September , Rachel Swann has championed member engagement , listening closely to members ' challenges . Her focus has reinforced AEO ’ s ongoing efforts to bring people together , which contributed to sell-out attendance at flagship events and enthusiastic participation across our working groups – the ‘ heartbeat ’ of our organisation .
Advancing advocacy on key issues In advocacy , we ’ ve made significant strides this year . Our public affairs efforts included joining a major UK trade mission to Saudi Arabia , engaging key government officials , and leading a roundtable with VisitBritain focused on attracting international audiences . We also shared our updated manifesto at a parliamentary reception in Westminster , taking our industry ’ s needs directly to decisionmakers – advancing key priorities around growth , efficiency , and sustainability .
Driving sustainability initiatives Our commitment to sustainability continues to gain momentum . We launched a dedicated hub this year , showcasing best practices and case
" Our public affairs efforts included joining a major UK trade mission to Saudi Arabia , engaging key government officials , and leading a roundtable with VisitBritain " studies that inspire environmental responsibility across our sector . With the upcoming sustainability report , we ’ re laying the groundwork for a future that aligns with the industry ’ s net-zero goals .
Building a growing , inclusive community I ’ m also thrilled by the growth of our community this year , with 13 new members joining us . Engagement across our 18 working groups has been particularly strong in areas like marketing , diversity , equity & inclusion ( DEI ), and international organising . The launch of the private independent entrepreneur ( PIE ) group has added vital support for independent organisers , and the success of events like the AEO Marketing Social , with its 100 % attendance and recommendation rate , speaks to the value of connections within our community .
Equipping members with datadriven insights One of our defining achievements in 2024 has been providing datadriven insights that empower our members to make informed decisions , including our longstanding Salary and Benchmark Survey . Other research initiatives like the Economic Impact Study ( EIS ) and the Size and Scale Index for Exhibitions ( SASiE ) have strengthened our advocacy efforts .
Left : Chris Skeith
Looking ahead to 2025 With Rachel ’ s focus on member engagement and our Board ’ s commitment to maintaining AEO ’ s relevance , 2024 has laid a solid foundation . In 2025 , AEO will continue to enhance member value , while advocacy and sustainability efforts drive impactful change across the industry . EW
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