The Association of Event
Venues ( AEV ) convenes 15 event industry working groups spanning every aspect of live events from catering to security . Half of our working groups are cross-association bodies welcoming members from the AEV , Event Supplier and Services Association ( ESSA ), and the Association of Event Organisers ( AEO ). Over the last 24 months , we have seen an enormous rise in engagement . I ’ d like to say that ’ s because event professionals understand that the working groups are the engine-room of industry change but , in reality , we have the pandemic to thank for the boost in members
Strength , Leadership , Influence and Community
Association of Event Venues projects manager Alden Arnold tells EN how their working groups are helping get the industry back on the rails
and output . With the event industry and the country locked down we moved online and began convening virtual working group meetings instead . With so little event work and so many people keen to do something in the face of a collapsing industry , our working groups experienced a welcome influx of new members , all wanting to help put the industry back on the rails in any way they could . Between September 2020 and September 2021 , we recorded 109 working group meetings over more than 150 hours featuring over 30 guest speakers . I believe this jump in activity played a significant part in shaping the event industry ’ s response to the pandemic , culminating in , among other positive outcomes , the All Secure Standard , which proved to be a vital step for venues , organisers and suppliers towards restarting events and exhibitions . Traditionally , working groups meet at a member venue , and the three to four hour meeting will often include a site tour and a guest speaker , even a social event / overnight stay . Working group meetings are events with real depth . While we ’ re keeping this aspect of
48 — May