The people factor Most of my events industry connections would say they stay for the people . So how does that translate to new talent coming through the doors who don ’ t yet know that we are “ a good bunch ” worth staying for ? In 2023 , we did a show of hands at the AEO Forums , for how many people were new to the industry - it was the majority . That ’ s a lot of people who will decide quickly if they are excited to be here . Challenge accepted .

Meaningful connections Fast forward to 26 January , 2024 , when the AEO Forums took place at the Business Design Centre . Meticulously crafted for junior to mid-level professionals in marketing , sales , and operations , the event aimed not only to impart valuable knowledge but also to foster meaningful connections . Expert chairs , Jessica Hockman from Informa Group , Alison Willis from Easyfairs , and Kerrie Kemp

from ExCeL London , passionately addressed challenges within their functions , focusing on accelerating careers . The marketing and sales streams , featuring roundtables hosted by Women in Exhibitions members , explored personal branding , networking , the relationship between sales and marketing and more . Simultaneously , the ops stream engaged in a reflective session with a business coach , emphasising the unique strengths of ops professionals .

Networking triumphs Marketing chair , Hockman , encouraged everyone to seize opportunities throughout the day to meet new people , throwing many attendees out of their comfort zones , by asking them to sit with people they didn ’ t know after lunch .

Attendees were then encouraged to share their LinkedIn profiles with those new connections . Hockman made 50 + new LinkedIn connections herself , as she shared her excitement to see what they were all sharing .

The “ power in you ” theme Guided by the resonant theme the “ Power in you ,” the AEO Forums transcended insights , creating an immersive environment where attendees not only absorbed knowledge but also affirmed that choosing events was the right career move . If you ’ re interested in reading more about the other reasons to stay , visit our # ChooseEvents page at www . aeo . org . uk / chooseevents . The connections forged during the event reflected a truly integrated industry

community , standing as a powerful testament to the theme ’ s embodiment , where knowledge transformed into tangible action .

Legacy of empowerment The AEO Forums 2024 not only illuminated the intricacies of team motivation but also provided a platform for new talents to understand and appreciate the unique culture of our industry and ultimately find the power within themselves to get everything out of it , that it has to offer . AEO members are integral to the content we deliver at events , within our resources , research , working group agendas and so much more . If you are an AEO member who wants to be more involved in shaping these aspects , the best place to start is the working groups . Get in touch to find out more today . EN

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