This past month provided an amazing opportunity to connect with and be inspired by CMPs, CMP Fellows, EIC Members, Strategic Partners, our Board and Council of Delegates, and so many business event professionals from around the world.
Starting with CMP Advance and our inaugural CMP Fellows Think Tank in New York, and wrapping up the month with IMEX Frankfurt, EIC focused on its pillars of People, Planet and Purpose to explore belonging, mindfulness and wellbeing, regenerative and sustainable event practices, negotiations, accessible and inclusive environments, digital strategies, and the future of the events economy.
Against this backdrop of interaction, idea exchange and impact that IMEX Frankfurt provides, EIC also launched the 2023 Global Economic Significance of Business Events study.
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Business meetings prove resilient and face-to-face interaction is paramount
The Events Industry Council (EIC), in partnership with Oxford Economics, released findings from its 2023 Global Economic Significance of Business Events study. This comprehensive study evaluates the full scope and economic significance of the $1.6 trillion USD global business events industry. Beyond better understanding pre-pandemic benchmarks and 2020 losses, the extensive research analysis across 50 countries includes the important “catalytic” effects or wide-reaching benefits of business events.
An executive summary is available on EIC’s website. Here are some key points in the research:
- The global events industry contributed $1.6 trillion to the global GDP in 2019. The industry’s economic impact is larger than many global economies.
- Based on its $663 billion direct GDP impact, the business events sector would rank as the 21st largest economy globally.
- Two-thirds of global direct business event spending was lost in 2020; the three-year cumulative lost sales total $1.9 trillion.
- Total Participants: 1.6B
- Total Jobs: 27.5M
The 2023 study was made possible by generous support from our partners: ADMEI, AHLA, ASAE, Caesars Entertainment, Fairmont, Freeman, IACC, IAEE, IMEX Group, IRF, Los Angeles Tourism, Maritz Global Events, MCI, MGM, MPI, Northstar, New York City Tourism + Conventions, Omni Hotels & Resorts, PCMA, RCMA, SISO, SITE, U.S. Travel Association.
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On 23 May, the Events Industry Council (EIC) announced a new strategic partnership with Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, one of Asia’s premier business, leisure, and entertainment destinations. The three-year partnership – the first of its kind in Asia – will allow the integrated resort to deepen its commitment to event professionals and industry excellence on a global scale. Meanwhile, EIC will benefit from support for key strategic programmes, increased brand visibility in Asia, and thought leadership from a respected global industry leader.
With Marina Bay Sands playing a key role, the partnership will spur more EIC-led initiatives throughout Asia, including Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) training and other learning and development programmes. At least 100 client-facing Marina Bay Sands team members will complete EIC’s Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) Programme, which provides the education and tools for event strategists to design and implement their own sustainable events.
“The partnership is grounded in our shared values promoting event industry excellence, building capabilities by advancing uniform standards of practice, and setting the highest standards for professional and personal growth for those in our industry,” said EIC CEO Amy Calvert. “We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Marina Bay Sands on a diverse set of initiatives that will benefit our industry and the event professionals we serve worldwide.”
Learn more
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EIC congratulates Virginie De Visscher and Destination Canada, this year’s winner of the IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award. EIC CEO Amy Calvert and IMEX Group Chairman Ray Bloom presented the award on 24 May at IMEX Frankfurt where, almost one year ago, Destination Canada launched its Canadian Business Event Sustainability Plan.
The IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award places a very deliberate focus on innovation, creative thinking, and collaboration. Destination Canada’s first-of-its kind multi-stakeholder plan is aimed at improving the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental sustainability practices of business events at a national level. Their approach looks at each of these aspects not as independent goals, but holistically, recognising the symbiotic relationship between people, planet, and purpose.
Through our Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact, EIC supports and champions the work of those who create and deliver sustainable and socially impactful practices for the benefit of all. Destination Canada and their stakeholder partners committed to action are truly inspirational.
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More than 200 CMPs and CMP Fellows met in New York in May to supercharge their professional development, connect with peers from around the world, and earn CE credits toward their CMP certification. See what two days of education and networking in one of the world’s greatest cities was like for this year’s attendees via our photo album here, and Skift article here, and make plans to meet us in Toronto, 10-12 March 2024 at the Fairmont Royal York.
Special thanks to our CMP Advance event sponsors: Cvent, Encore, New York City Tourism + Conventions, New York Hilton Midtown, Canyon Ranch, Speakers Spotlight, Hilton, EPNAC and Visit Flanders.
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By Bobby Jones, CMP Advance Closing Keynote
I want to talk to you today about something incredibly important to me and many of you – inclusivity in the events industry. As someone who has dedicated their career to speaking at events and creating experiences that are welcoming and supportive of everyone, I believe that inclusivity is the key to unlocking the full potential of our industry.
An event can only be considered a success when every attendee is empowered to participate without barriers. We must be intentional about creating experiences that are inclusive and meaningful for all. Inclusivity is not just the right thing to do – it is also a smart business strategy. Research has shown companies that prioritise diversity and inclusion are more innovative, have higher employee engagement and retention, and are more profitable.
So, how can we unlock inclusivity as a force for growth in the events industry?
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Mark your calendar to join fellow CMPs at CMP Advance 2024 in Toronto, Canada! Next year, we will meet from 10-12 March in Toronto, at the Fairmont Royal York. Stay tuned for more information on registration later this year.
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EIC is hosting a free webinar on 6 June at 11 a.m. EDT/UTC -01:00 for those who are beginning the CMP journey or who are ready to sit for the exam. If your colleagues are interested in the CMP, this webinar provides a deep dive into obtaining the CMP, including application requirements and the exam day process as well as tips for before, during and after exam day. EIC Director of Certification Gus Chijioke will also host a 30-minute office hour session following the webinar.
Register here
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EIC now offers an interactive, accessible, online Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) programme. The SEPC programme is for events professionals interested in accelerating sustainability and social impact in their organisations and global business events. The programme provides guidance that will be valuable for reaffirming our industry’s commitment to a recovery that is resilient, sustainable and equitable.
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.
Learn more about the course and how it can benefit your organisation here.
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During CMP Advance, EIC Board Chair Sherrif Karamat presented the 2023 Chair Award to Stephanie Jones, CMP Fellow, CAE, DES, Chair of the EIC Knowledge Committee. A signature programme for EIC, the Knowledge initiative focuses on creating opportunities to expand learning and provide resources for career development that advance, elevate and educate industry professionals. This committee is responsible for converting content developed across EIC into educational content via webinars and publications. Under Stephanie’s leadership, this committee led the in-person return of CMP Advance. Congratulations and thank you, Stephanie!
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Make your wellbeing a priority and earn CE credit by tuning into the replay of our February webinar: Let’s Keep it Real about Wellbeing in the Workplace. Led by moderator Rachael Riggs, CMP, DES, SEPC, Maritz Global Events, our subject matter experts shared how we can all make changes in our own wellbeing, find balance when attending industry events, battle post-event burnout, improve our health, and set expectations with our clients. Watch the replay here.
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The EIC Advance Collections, located 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 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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Led by EIC's Chair of the Sustainability and Social Impact Committee Meghan Green, this webinar discussion features practical and inspirational examples of circularity, climate, wellbeing, diversity, equity and inclusion, accessibility, and social impact in events.
Learn about global trends related to sustainability and social impact, and their effect on business events; EIC programmes and tools for event organisers and supplier partners to collaborate for more successful sustainability and social impact outcomes; the risks of greenwashing, and how to ensure your events and services communicate transparently.
Earn CEs while getting 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.
As the world opened up again, the assumption was that we would all return to face-to-face meetings and digital events would be used minimally; however, that is not the case.
Watch the replay of this webinar moderated by Betsy Bondurant, CMM, CTE, President, Bondurant Consulting, 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; and 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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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
As an industry built on partnerships and collaboration, we are stronger together and are here to support one another.
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