As we approach the mid-point of this year, I am energised and encouraged by the leadership being offered particularly as we commit to turning our vision into action. It is essential that we hold up examples of the organisations and individuals modeling the way for others. In many ways, this is the essence of the CMP community: being dedicated to the highest level of professionalism within our industry and to lifelong learning.

We see this leadership take form in many ways, from everyday moments to large-scale impact projects such as our Economic Significance Study that will have a positive and lasting impact on how we tell our best story. One of the ways we hold up these examples is through our EIC Leadership Programme and Global Awards. This is the time of year where at EIC we turn our attention to the planning and execution of our Global Awards event that takes place annually in conjunction with IMEX America.

Each year, through the EIC Global Awards, we honour the exemplary achievements of professionals from across the global business events industry. Please save the date and make plans to join us for the 2023 EIC Global Awards Celebration on Monday, 16 October from 5-8 p.m. (PDT) at the Bellagio Las Vegas.  

Next month, EIC will open the nomination portal for the Global Awards. These awards are made possible by the thought and consideration of industry peers like you who are committed to recognising and celebrating exemplary achievements and impactful leadership. We encourage members of the CMP community to begin thinking about your nominations now.  

Last June, EIC launched an enhanced version of the EIC Sustainable Event Standards, a set of eight standards designed to assess events and industry suppliers in support of environmental and social responsibility. EIC recognises the latest suppliers and events that have achieved EIC Sustainable Event Standards certifications.

Please join EIC in congratulating these industry leaders on this achievement of global standards for environmental and social responsibility. If you would like more information on how your organisation can begin the certification process, please contact sustainability@eventscouncil.org.

Events Certified to the EIC Sustainable Event Standards

·       2022 Expo!Expo! – International Association of Exhibitions and Events: Bronze Level

·       2022 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo – Informa Connect: Platinum Level

·       Felaban – Asociacion Bancaria de Guatamala: Bronze Level

Suppliers Certified to the EIC Sustainable Event Standards

·       GES: Silver Level

·       Minneapolis Convention Center: Gold Level

·       St. Paul RiverCentre / Xcel Energy Center: Gold Level

·       McCormick Place Convention Center: Bronze Level

·       Savor at McCormick Place: Bronze Level

·       Pennsylvania Convention Center: Gold Level

Current Supplier Candidates include:

·       Visit Denver, Denver, CO

·       Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD

·       David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA

Events Industry Council and ICE, the In-house Corporate Event planner community, have developed and launched the Action10+ initiative to provide guidance to ensure that creating more sustainable events becomes second nature to every event professional.

Designed with corporate event professionals in mind, Action10+ supports all global business professionals. ICE created Action10+ with input from its Sustainability Taskforce, which includes Barclays, Snap, S&P, Siemens, pwc, EY, Cvent, Maritz Global Events, DRPG and more, and the Events Industry Council’s Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact.

The resource focuses on specific aspects of the organisational process from ‘Venue Selection’ and ‘Waste Management & Water Conservation’ to ‘Food and Beverage,’ ‘Energy Management,’ ‘Transportation,’ and ‘Production Materials.’ It even looks at smaller items such as ‘Invitations.’ The resource also addresses how events ‘Track and Measure Event Sustainability.’

In each of these cases, it outlines what ‘Good,’ ‘Better,’ and ‘Best’ looks like, and how event professionals can reach these aims, which also closely align with EIC’s existing guidance and resources, including the updated EIC Sustainable Event Standards and Principles for Sustainable Events.

Within the guidance, and through the group that put it together, there is indication of a growing urgency from corporate event professionals on the need to take intentional action around regenerative and equitable event practices.

“ESG is now a business imperative as a reflection of organisational core value and objectives in support of their workforce and stakeholder communities,” said Amy Calvert, EIC CEO. “It is important to hear the voice of the corporate event organiser, to leverage their vast experience and perspective, and to address their specific needs and concerns. We view the Action10+ guidance as a kick-starter for a sustainability journey that includes implementation of turning our vision into meaningful and measurable actions such as the EIC Sustainable Event Standards framework.”

Access the resource here.

Mark your calendar to join industry leaders and fellow CMPs at the EIC Global Awards, 16 October from 5-8 pm PDT at the Bellagio Las Vegas. Registration will open in August. This annual celebration of exemplary achievements and impactful leadership will honour the 2023 Hall of Leaders inductees as well as recipients of the Pacesetter Award, EIC Social Impact Award, and EIC Adaptation and Innovation Award.

EIC is hosting office hours on 12 July at 11 a.m. EDT/UTC -01:00 for those who are beginning the CMP journey, who are ready to sit for the exam, are currently a CMP with general questions, or if you have questions on the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate programme. EIC Director of Certification Gus Chijioke will lead the office hours session.

Register here.

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.

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.

At the 2023 World Education Congress (WEC23) in Mexico in the Riviera Maya, Meeting Professionals International presented Paola Bowman, CMP, CMM, with its RISE Award for Meeting Industry Leadership.

Paola is the Director of Client Services and Events at the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau. As an experienced hospitality and events professional, she has worked in numerous positions, from front of the house to sales and services. She was named one of Smart Meetings Magazine “100 Women Who Inspire Us” in 2018 and was recognised in the Connect Association 40 under 40 group of 2019. Most recently, she was selected by ConventionSouth Magazine as a Meeting Professional to Watch in 2023. Congratulations on this honour, Paola!

Do you have an achievement to celebrate? Let us know! Send an email to media@eventscouncil.org

EIC welcomed 21 professionals who earned their CMP designation in May. Welcome the newest CMPs to our community. 

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.

Business meetings prove resilient and face-to-face interaction is paramount

The Events Industry Council (EIC) in partnership with Oxford Economics, has 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:

·      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.

In late March/early April, EIC hosted more than 200 business event professionals in New York City for the in-person return of CMP Advance. Session videos will soon be available for purchase through EIC’s Learning Management System. CMPs will have an opportunity to earn CEs through the video sessions.

CMP Advance is designed by CMPs, for CMPs, to supercharge professional development, create an open space for peer-to-peer idea exchange and problem solving, and connect the global CMP community.

The CMP Advance programme centered around the relevant CMP Domains organised with the EIC pillars of People, Planet and Purpose. Three tracks of sessions provided an opportunity for attendees to earn 10 CEs toward their CMP recertification. Topic areas also included:

·       Designing Inclusive Environments

·       Understanding Data-Driven Insights that Influence the Industry

·       Sustainable Event Practices: Turning Our Vision into Action

·       Fully Immersing Your Audience with Intelligent Experience Design

·       Forming a More Perfect Union: Event Professionals and Project Management

·       Scenario Planning for Everything

·       How Digital Strategy Supports Events and Drives Growth

·       Improve the Impact of Your Audience Acquisition

·       A Focus on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Events Industry

·       Negotiating Contracts Begins with a Partnership

Stay tuned for the launch of the video series.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.