This past fall, I had the opportunity to attend Meeting Professionals International’s (MPI) second annual Thought Leaders Summit, benefiting the MPI Foundation. MPI presented a global, pan-industry assembly of thought leaders, government officials, first-responders, law-enforcement and security professionals during the Thought Leaders Summit to discuss the six main issues of risk management that will help meeting and event organizers plan more secure gatherings. The six topic areas were:

• Risk/Threat/Vulnerability & Capability Assessment
• Event Safety & Security Plan
• People Movement & Management
• Vendor, Facility & Staff Management
• Technology, Information Management & Data Security
• Communication, Recovery & Evaluation

Given the increase in threats to public safety around the globe, the idea of event safety and security has become a paramount concern for our industry. Recent tragedies like the Las Vegas shooting in 2017 and natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey have event planners worldwide finding an increased need to become more proactive in mitigating risk before, during and after their events.

Through it all, events professionals must continue to assess risk management methods and best practices. In the events industry, risk management is known as the ongoing process of assessing the risks that may threaten attendees, the meeting or event itself, the organiser, or partner-suppliers, and applying the appropriate measures to manage the probability and consequences of such risks.

The Events Industry Council regularly publishes and commissions resources that help events professionals grow and excel in their careers. In the spirit of learning and growing professionally, we cannot wait to share the Safety, Security and Risk Management Guidebook with our members in June.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 | 11 a.m. EDT

Register Today

The business implications for embedding sustainability into core business practices have become even clearer for organizations across industries, countries and even sizes.

Recent trends like EU Mandatory Reporting Directive, suppliers from larger corporations facing pressures, risk reduction, reputation safeguarding to more transparency, make it a necessity to look into sustainable operations and integrate sustainability into your own supply chain. In this webinar, we'll share insights on how sustainable procurement helps to plan a sustainable event.

Earlier this month, the Events Industry Council announced its 2018 class of Hall of Leaders inductees and Pacesetter award winners.

The Hall of Leaders award is the premier recognition programme in the events industry that recognises a body of work and achievements of distinguished and lasting value by leaders who have played an integral role in shaping our industry. The Hall of Leaders Class of 2018 inductees are:

• Corbin W. Ball, CMP, CSP, DES, MS, Corbin Ball & Co. (Nominated by Attendee Management Inc.)
• Henry S. Givray, SmithBucklin (Nominated by AMC Institute)
• Edward Liu, CEMS Singapore (Nominated by International Association of Exhibitions & Events)
• Deborah Sexton, FASAE, DLS and Associates (Nominated by Professional Convention Management Association)

The Pacesetter Awards recognise the valuable contributions individuals are making to impact the events industry today, as well as charting the course for a thriving future. The 2018 Pacesetter Award recipients are:

• Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility: Jeff Chase, Freeman (Nominated by Freeman)
• Innovation: Zena Phillips, CMP, CPCE, Hilton Worldwide (Nominated by National Association for Catering and Events)
• Young Professional: Jessie States, CMM, Meeting Professionals International Nominated by Meeting Professionals International)

Look for exclusive Q&As with each of the inductees and winners throughout the next few months.

Save the date for CMP Conclave 2018: November 16–18, 2018 in Birmingham, AL. We are planning a great educational programe, and Birmingham is planning many special things to enhance your stay.

To be in Birmingham is to be in the arms of the south. Where the energy is palpable and a spirited nature is tempered by cosmopolitan charm. It’s to be in a place that’s as modern and contemporary as it is classically southern. And to experience something you won’t soon forget.

Watch the video to learn more about this vibrant, diverse city.

More than 1,000 were on hand at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C. earlier this month as the PCMA Education Foundation Visionary Awards honored, among others, a group of CMPs.

Angsana Laguna Phuket has been recognized by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) with full Thailand MICE Venue Standard (TMVS) accreditation. This recognition highlights outstanding services in providing meeting rooms of the highest standard.

Events can be challenging and exhilarating for sure. There are so many moving parts and people. In the process of working on a recent event, I was struck by two people in particular. In my mind, they made the decision to take their work up a notch!

One was a logistics professional and the other was an AV technician from two different organisations. Their efforts made me and the event producer stand back and simply say, "WOW!" They had systems, procedures and a powerful persona. The power of how they used their systems, procedures and persona made a difference.

Systems: Both had needs to be fulfilled and organisational systems to follow, however each took their responsibilities to another level. They organised the information needed in very simple, clear form. I asked both to explain a bit about why they did this. Each said, "To make it easier for both of us. I want you to have an easy experience with me." WOW! Key statement "Have an easy experience with me." It was about service and solutions. Are your systems providing solutions to your clients and teams? Are you making the process a positive experience?

The Events Industry Council brings together the leaders from our 30+ member organisations each year to discuss the key initiatives of the Council, and also to discuss the state of the industry and what topics are most pressing for each of the organisations. In 2017, we released the top five trends that were shaping the industry. A few of these remain top of mind in 2018, particularly safety and security. During this year’s discussion, events industry leaders shared a laser-focus on demonstrating relevance of their organization as a way of increasing engagement.

Have you been quoted in an article? Do you have some exciting news to share?

Contact us at cmptoday@eventscouncil.org and we can share it with the leading individuals and companies involved in the events industry!