The start of a new year brings energy and optimism for the possibilities that lie ahead. For me, this is always a time to reflect and focus on the things we are most grateful for in our lives personally and professionally, and the inevitable intersection of those two worlds. I feel very blessed to be working in an industry that prioritises and showcases the power of human connections and works together to live those values.
While attending IAEE’s Expo!Expo! in December, working with Cleo Battle and the team at the Louisville CVB, Johnnie White, and the APEX Commission, we launched our pilot workforce development programme hosting 20 students enrolled in a hospitality programme. We talked with them in a small group setting to listen to their interests, hopes and dreams as they think about their next steps.
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Research-backed curriculum helps planners deliver healthier, more productive meetings to attendees
By Rich Luna, Senior Director, Associated Luxury Hotels International
Health and well-being for meeting and event attendees is a top priority for meeting planners, with a renewed focus in the post-COVID pandemic era.
With that in mind, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), the sales and marketing extension to more than 250 global hotels and resorts, cruise lines, and destinations management companies, and Delos, a global wellness leader with a mission to enhance health and wellbeing, joined forces to bring the first Delos Wellness Certificate for Meetings and Events.
Backed by scientific research, the Delos Wellness Certificate for Meetings and Events is designed to educate meeting planners on the benefits and value of wellness in meetings and events. Participants will learn how to design, plan and implement wellness solutions and create safe, healthier experiences for meeting and event attendees.
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It’s no joke: Our events industry professionals have been under extreme, prolonged stress. First, it was COVID-19 and its many bumps. Now we are running at an even faster pace, often with fewer resources, to make it all happen with the return of live events.
In response to the impact of COVID-19, EIC formed the APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force. The task force work groups focused on aggregating and curating accepted practices across the events ecosystem and providing a framework for recovery and resilience as the industry adapted to its most significant disruption. As part of this work, in 2020, EIC published the "Resources for Workforce and Wellness" guide to help support industry professionals with their own wellbeing and to help navigate the COVID storm professionally. This useful resource remains relevant and provides great resources for all areas of your wellbeing.
When we launched the guide, the Wellbeing and Workplace working group hosted a webinar to candidly connect with industry professionals about their own wellbeing. Let’s keep that conversation going. In this free webinar on 16 February, we will discuss where we are now as professionals on our wellbeing journey and will share tips on how to kick off the New Year with a focus on your own wellbeing.
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 The Events Industry Council is excited to bring the CMP community together in person for CMP Advance at the Hilton Midtown in New York City, New York, 30 April – 2 May, 2023. Save the date! Registration opens in early February.
CMP Advance is exclusively open to CMPs and celebrates the community, providing cutting-edge education and networking opportunities. New this year, CMP Advance will offer peer-to-peer learning in small settings along with thought-provoking keynotes and breakout sessions centered around critical issues in the industry. As all our roles have evolved, so must the content. CMP Advance content will align with CMP domains and will support the CMP journey. EIC will share the findings from its industry-leading research including the Equity Study and the Economic Significance Study.
New this year is a CMP Fellows retreat and think tank, providing a unique opportunity for the CMP Fellows to help design the future of the programme by creating a roadmap of industry issues to amplify. This interactive experience will be 2-3 May, in the same location as CMP Advance.
As part of its ongoing work, The Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact launched its online Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) programme, which will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to produce events that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Sustainable Event Professional Certificate is eligible for 12 hours of Continuing Education credits (CEs) toward initial CMP examination eligibility or recertification. EIC is also an approved provider of CAE continuing education, and this programme offers 12 CAE credits.
As part of the programme, participants will have access to a digital workbook with activities to customise a roadmap for their own sustainable event and will be awarded a certificate of completion along with a digital badge at the end of the course.
Learn more about the course here.
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Business event organisations can shine a light on their sustainability successes and share their learnings with others by applying for the 2023 IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award. The award – open to organisers, venues and suppliers – champions the ambition and achievements of teams who are raising the bar in sustainable event innovation. The closing deadline is 6 February 2023.
This award has been designed to celebrate meeting, incentive and exhibition professionals driving sustainability through innovation, collaboration and idea-sharing. Their accomplishments will be reviewed by a global panel of judges from across the business events sector, with the winner announced at the IMEX Frankfurt Gala Dinner in May.
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Have you joined the LinkedIn group for CMPs? Log in and connect with more than 8,000 fellow CMPs from around the world. Click here and request to join the group.
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The EIC Sustainable Event Standards have been designed to assess events and industry suppliers in support of environmental and social responsibility. They provide specific guidance for event organisers and partners, including accommodations, audio visual and production, destinations, exhibition services, food & beverage, integrated properties, and venues.
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The EIC Advance Collections, an exciting addition within EIC’s robust Knowledge Hub, are available in EIC’s Learning Management System (LMS). These Collections provide access to thought leader sessions by practice areas and tests the knowledge gained through session quizzes, all while allowing you to earn up to 25 CE credits toward your CMP recertification
Connect to these exciting and carefully curated collections, which cover five practice areas:
- Digital Design
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Event Design
- Upskilling, Reskilling & Wellness
- Sustainability & Social Impact
Explore this and other signature content and programmes in the LMS, available on-demand and at your convenience!
Learn more about the collections here.
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The events industry is on a journey of transformation, where in the next few years we will see rapid adoption of the regenerative and equitable practices needed to maximise our impact on communities, economies and the environment.
Watch the replay of this free webinar to:
- Learn about global trends related to sustainability and social impact, and their effect on business events.
- Learn about EIC programmes and tools for event organisers and supplier partners to collaborate for more successful sustainability and social impact outcomes.
- Learn about the risks of greenwashing, and how to ensure your events and services communicate transparently.
- Be inspired by case studies from event professionals actively engaged in sustainable practices.
View the webinar here.
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As a result of the pandemic lockdown, most of us transitioned quickly to delivering digital (virtual/hybrid) events rather than having no events at all. Results were mixed, some very positive, with the amplified reach to larger audiences and the rich data that digital solutions provided. A negative was the inability to engage with audiences in an in-person environment.
Watch the free replay of this webinar to:
- Understand how geopolitical and economic situations are causing the continued use of digital events.
- Examine the benefits of improved accessibility, diversity and sustainability related to digital events.
- Discover how a purpose-built event portfolio can deliver in-person, virtual and hybrid events will be the long-term future of successful events.
View the webinar here.
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Whether you are just starting out on your path to achieving the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification or are ready to sit for the CMP Examination, you will want to view the CMP candidate webinar to make sure you are prepared!
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According to the 2022 Q2 Global Business Events Barometer, the RFP activity index increased to 81, equivalent to 81% of 2019 levels. The hotel group room nights index matched the gain, rising to 83, representing stays during the quarter equivalent to 83% of 2019 levels.
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The Events Industry Council's Digital and Hybrid Events book is now available to view, and CE points can be earned by answering quiz questions about the guide.
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The Events Industry Council's APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force - Meeting and Event Design Version 2.0 is now available to view, and CE points can be earned by answering quiz questions about the guide.
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To date, this industry-wide task force has published seven accepted practices guides: B2B and B2C Exhibitions, Business Continuity, Meeting and Event Design, Health and Safety for Hotels, Workforce and Wellness, Travel and Transportation, and Resources for Destinations. Additional resources include a Code of Conduct, Principles for Recovery, Key Questions for Event Organisers, Know Before You Go, and a Crisis Communications worksheet.
After the release of each guide, EIC hosted a webinar with task force members to review the resources. You can access all of this helpful aggregated content via EIC's website and YouTube channel.
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In conjunction with the release of the Resources for Workforce and Wellness Accepted Practices Guide, EIC launched a Career Centre on its website.
The resources for the EIC online Career Centre are organised by:
- Career Opportunities: A job posting board
- Career Pathways: Tools and resources for career and financial support
- Certification: Links to certification programmes across the industry
- Education: Webinars, courses and online events
- Research: Research and data for the global meetings and events industry
- Scholarships: Financial support for meeting professionals
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