Exhibition News Supplements EN 30 Under 30 2019 | Page 5

Partner Comment
Going the
extra mile
Chris Skeith, CEO of the AEO,
on building on the EN 30 win to
truly make a difference
As a judge of the EN 30 Under 30
since it was launched five years ago, I am
delighted that the initiative is going from
strength to strength. This year’s winners
have proven, like never before, that they
are prepared to go the extra mile to
develop their own careers and support
that of their peers.
For the first time, the EN 30 Under 30
has focussed solely on event organisers
and we’ve once again seen a great
mix of roles being nominated. When
judging this type of initiative, which has
a genuine value to those that take part,
I look for qualities that I feel will make a
great leader of tomorrow for the events
industry. I want to see that, if you’ve not
put yourself forward as an ambassador
for your business or the industry, someone
else has. It’s not about promoting yourself
or just doing your job well, it’s about
demonstrating how you’ve championed,
supported and nurtured great causes,
positive change and fantastic talent.
The final 30 have shown this and
more. You’ve put yourselves forward to
lead projects that are important to your
business and will make a difference to
your colleagues. Internal projects such as
improving sustainability, implementing
wellness and wellbeing initiatives, getting
involved in work social committees and
driving developments in better systems
and ways of working.
In addition, it’s about being
recognised by your peers and line
managers as a go to person. Are you
ambitious? Do you contribute ideas?
Are you considered to be a guru on a
particular subject? Do you work hard
at building a wide network and strong
working relationships? Are you passionate
about events and do you get involved in
wider industry initiatives?
As a judge, this is what I want to see
from the nominations with evidence of
how you’ve received recognition through
award wins, promotions and amazing
testimonials. I’ve said it before, and it still
rings true – this accolade should be part
of your career journey not your end goal.
It’s time to reflect and think about how you
can build on this win to make a difference.
At the AEO, we’re keen that working
in the events industry is a career choice,
not a happy accident. It’s something we
discussed at the AEO Conference a few
years ago and we now have a school
leavers’ project we’re working on to make
sure that becomes reality. In addition,
we want to retain the best talent in the
industry and, having looked back to the
first EN 30 Under 30 in 2015, I’m delighted
to see that most of the winners are
still working in the industry today. Not
only that, but they have realised their
ambitions of five years ago and are now
leading portfolios, events and teams in
their chosen specialisms.
To support the career development
of our members’ teams, we’re running
the second series of our Leaders of
Tomorrow webinar training programme.
Marketing, ops and sales experts will be
on-hand to provide specialist training and
advice. If you want to know how sales and
marketing can get the most from each
other, what top performers do differently
and how to cope when things don’t go to
plan, check out the Talent Hub on the AEO
website aeo.org.uk for more information.
We want to continue to add value to our
members, supporting them in retaining
great talent, and empower leaders of
tomorrow to get more heavily involved
in the association. My aim is that in five
years’ time you will still work in events and
love what you do.
So, my advice to the winners is be
true to yourself, strive for success and lead
by example. By being recognised as one
of the chosen 30, you’ve demonstrated
a willingness to develop your career and
represent your business – it’s now time
to see what you can do for the wider
industry.
EN 30 Under 30 — 5