Point of View: Ash Rowe

Ash Rowe
Senior Event Manager at Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-rowe-3436689b/

As part of our commitment to championing the industry, we are talking to people about their careers and what IEM means to them.

Ash Rowe is a winner of The Marketing Show Tomorrow’s Talent.  Within his current role, Ash has worked across a large range of engineering focused events on exciting topics such as 5G and the Internet of Things.  He has also been directly involved in some of the IET awards focused events, which have given him the opportunity to work alongside celebrities and inspiring finalists.  Prior to this, he worked for IHG in the hospitality sector and was lucky enough to work with organisations such as the Labour Party, Philips, Pepsi and many others to help them create dynamic and vibrant live events.  Alongside his professional work, Ash is also a mental health ambassador and gives regular talks to schools to further the awareness of challenges that are specifically faced by young people.

Q What does the IEM mean to you?
A The IEM to me is a place to meet people and further myself as a person and a professional. It can be challenging to open yourself up to new skill sets within the events industry as the range of operation that the industry must manage tends to mean that organisations are focussed on what they do well with little scope to expand further.  The IEM will allow open and honest discussions with like minded professionals outside of my organisation and provide not only an effective and non-judgemental place to learn but also and opportunity to impart some of the knowledge that I have developed over the years.

Q Why did you decide it was important to get involved?
A As an individual the IEM is something that I have been searching for in my career for a long time and I was lucky enough to find it whilst it was in development.  Given my knowledge of institutions and the personal knowledge of my own ideal trajectory I felt that it was important that I gave my voice to the incredible people that have worked tirelessly to make the IEM a reality.  The main reason that I want to be involved is to give back to the industry that has given me so much over the years and inspire the next generation of event managers that are due to enter the industry.

Q Where do you hope to see the IEM in 20 years?
A My dream for the IEM is that it becomes the worlds largest network of event management professionals and leads the way in shaping the landscape of the events industry whilst ensuring that we have an excellent pipeline of talent coming through.

What is your favourite event related memory?
A My favourite memory of working in events must be when I worked an engineering event at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. This single event changed my long term outlook on how an event is managed and what it should look like – and this will stay with me for many years to come!

 

 

Diary: INVITATION: Skills for Events Summit

The way forward for Professonal Recognition

30 June 2020  10:00h to 12:00h

Location:  Online

As business sectors continue to emerge slowly and cautiously from ‘lockdown’ around the world, the events sector in the UK and much of Europe remains in ‘lockdown’.  Many people in the sector are suggesting business events are an important answer to economic ‘bounce back’ post-COVID-19. The scope and scale of events varies enormously and whilst the opportunity for arranging ‘mass gatherings’ is not yet prudent, ‘organised events’ such as conferences, exhibitions and business events can be managed more effectively and be of enormous benefit to the economy and society as a whole.

The Institute of Event Management is preparing to be open for membership in Q4 of 2020 and, we are sure you will agree, not a moment too soon, especially for those who have already expressed an interest in joining!  In the last 12 months, event management skills have been high on the agenda of the sector and its Events Industry Board Talent Task Force Group.  The survey which they conducted last year has provided evidence that skills are important to the sector and agreed the IEM  can deliver the role of a skills body.

To bring everyone up to speed with the skills agenda, the role of the IEM and how it can extend knowledge and support leadership development, we are organising this Summit with the help of DRP Group and their great Production and amazing Technology Teams.

The final programme is below and you will see that we have a great line-up of speakers including Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester; Tim Nichol, Pro Vice Chancellor of LJMU Liverpool Business School; and Dr Caroline Jackson, BVEP Vice Chair and AEME Board Member. You will also be able to meet the IEM Directors and find out more about our plans for IEM.

The Institute of Event Management is for everyone in the industry worldwide.  We need your input to ensure we are fit for purpose from the outset. So please, please take this opportunity to shape your professional body and gain the recognition you deserve!

Follow the link here to pre-register  https://broadcast.drpg.events/iem-event-skills-summit/login

Please note: You will not be sent a confirmation but on the morning of the Summit you will receive a reminder to re-register and join the Broadcast.

 

Summit Programme 

10:00 Welcome and Introductions
Susan Spibey FRSA, IEM Board Chair

Summit Facilitator:   Chris Pateman, IEM Director

10:15 Keynote: Events for All – Economic Re-Think
Andy Burnham,Mayor of Greater Manchester

A Point of View: Why do I want professional recognition?
Ash Rowe,Senior Event Logistics Manager, IET

‘State of the Nation’ UK Skills in Event Management
Dr Caroline Jackson FRSA, BVEP Vice Chair, AEME Board Member and IEM Adviser

A View to the Future for Event Management Education and Skills Development
Tim Nichol FRSA, Pro Vice Chancellor LJMU Liverpool Business School 

Visioning the plan for IEM Professional Recognition
Bob Ferneyhough FCIPD FRSA, IEM Director and Diane Earles FMAAT MCIM, IEM Director

11:30 Q&A

12:00 Next Steps………… Wrap up and close

 

Diary: SAVE THE DATE! Skills for Events Summit, 30th June 2020

Events are widely recognised as economic drivers with many people in the sector suggesting business events are the answer to ‘bounce back’ post COVID-19.  The scope and scale of events varies enormously and whilst the opportunity for arranging ‘mass gatherings’ is not yet prudent, ‘organised events’ such as conferences, exhibitions and business events can be managed more effectively and be of enormous benefit to the economy as a whole.

The Institute of Event Management (IEM) is now gearing up to be open in Q4 of 2020.   As a professional body, the IEM will offer recognition for all those employed in organising events across the whole of the sector worldwide.  It will provide accreditation, continuing professional development (CPD) and a body of knowledge to further enhance event organisers skills.  It will offer a number of routes to recognition and levels of membership. 

The IEM Liverpool 2019 Workshop brought together educators and event organisers to plan the way forward for skills development.  The Workshop outputs became the springboard for IEM to respond to the results of a Government survey and be the answer to addressing the skills shortage.  Sadly the advent of COVID-19 has disrupted some of the planning processes but has not stopped the dedication of all who are now involved in working to ensure the IEM opens in 2020!

This Summit will again bring together Educators and Event Organisers who are keen to support the development of the Institute of Event Management.   It is hoped to have participation from all parts of the events sector as set out in the Matrix (available to download here) and is inviting participants from around the world.   

Participants will have the opportunity to hear about preparations for the IEM to be open for membership; the national picture for the events industry going forward and ideas for a fresh approach to the future of event management skills and training.

 

SUMMIT PROGRAMME 

30 June 2020 

Location: Online   

10:00 Welcome and Introductions

10:15 Keynote:   Events for All – Economic Re-Think

A Point of View:  Why do I want professional recognition?

‘State of the Nation’ UK Skills in Event Management

A View to the Future for Event Management  Education and Skills Development

Visioning the plan for IEM Professional recognition

11:30 Q&A

12:00 Next Steps… Wrap up and close

 

Point of View: Maciej Mikolajczak

Maciej Mikolajczak
Production Manager, EY
https://www.linkedin.com/in/macmikolajczak/

As part of our commitment to championing the industry, we are talking to people about their careers and what IEM means to them.

Maciej’s career has always revolved around events. Over the last 10 years he has worked for global corporations (management consulting: McKinsey & Co.; PA Consulting; a law firm: Pinsent Masons; big four accounting firm: EY).   He also did a years work experience while studying Event Management at the University of Huddersfield.  He currently works as a consultant/Production Manager, running collaborative design workshops with very senior clients, in order to help support the sales pipeline at EY.   He said, “We work and think differently, solving big problems in a collaborative way, faster. I am very fortunate to be exposed to some of our world’s most complex challenges and get to work with some really smart people.”

Q What does the IEM mean to you?
A Having studied Event Management, I realised how difficult it is to break into this industry with little or no experience. It is hard for employers to recognise and reward talent, and back then I wished something akin to the IEM would exist.

Q Where do you hope to see the IEM in 20 years time?
A Twenty years from now IEM becomes a well established entity, delivering real value to members and is recognised for championing professionalism and people development.

Q What is your favourite event related memory?
A I had the pleasure of working on the Tall Ships Races 2011 event, which took place in Lerwick, Shetland. It was a hallmark event, for circa 30,000 people with lots of stakeholders and a huge impact on the local economy. I’m an avid sailor myself so this was a perfect combination of mixing pleasure with work! We even staged big concerts for 5,000 people with Bjorn Again and The Levellers.  One guitarist came into our event control office and asked me for a cup of hot water so that he could warm up his index finger and play his guitar better!

 

Headline: The Journey so far

Headline: The Jackson Interview: The UK Events Report

Caroline Jackson
Event Consultant and Educator, caroline4events
Vice Chair, Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP)
Executive Committee Member, Association for Events Management Education (AEME)
Former Head of Department for Events & Leisure at Bournemouth University.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-jackson-56666112/

The Directors of IEM met with Caroline Jackson via Zoom following the launch of ‘The UK Events Report’ by the Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP) in May.

Originally written in 2019, the report aimed to raise the profile of the events industry.  However, in light of Covid 19, Caroline recognises that it is now more a question of needing to safeguard what was a £70bn industry employing 700,000 people.

The conversation focused on three topics; recovery, people and education:

Recovery

The BVEP is now working with government departments on a recovery strategy, which includes making workplaces safe again, but already predictions are that live events will be changed until physical distancing is part of our COVID-19 memories.  It is no doubt going to be a painful journey.  However, it is not all doom and gloom.  Caroline feels that the conversations being had are helping to raise the profile of events, so they do not get lost in hospitality and tourism, and position them as a key factor in the UKs ability to enhance international trade in the wake of Brexit.  Positive things, such as specific SIC and SOC codes for the industry, as identified in the report, are more likely to be achieved and it is hoped that the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), which had been suspended, would be resurrected.  Caroline said, “I am convinced that the Institute of Event Management has a key part to play in the industry and even more so in the recovery, so long as employers and people working in events get behind it”.

People

Caroline is the author of Chapter 6 of the BVEP Report on People, which aligns itself with one of the Government’s Industrial Strategy Pillars.  Claimed to be one of the top ten most stressful professions in the US, because of its fast pace and intensity, those in the worldwide events industry are now experiencing a very different kind of stress.  Many people in the UK have been furloughed or lost their jobs, with event management companies and event venues wondering if they have a future at all.  So, how many people will be left in the industry?  But perhaps more importantly, what do they need to survive and thrive?

Key findings of the report are the ‘gig economy’ phenomenon, skills gaps and the individuals attitude to work.  No doubt these will be even more significant as the recovery unfolds.  “Most people being furloughed or out of work will be looking to address skills gaps to enhance their chances of returning to work as quickly as possible,” said Caroline.  Portfolio careers and short term contracts are going to be the order of the day for the events industry as it fights to re-establish itself.  This means the responsibility will lie with the individual for their own skills development.  Access to education and training, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and mentoring are critical to upskilling and ultimate survival.

Education

A significant part of Caroline’s chapter looks at the existing education structure of the UK events industry and she now stresses its importance in the recovery strategy.  Some 90 UK Higher Education institutions have been educating event managers from around the world for 30 years.  It is multi-faceted, highly regulated and highly regarded.  However with a recent, and predicted continued, decline of student numbers studying event management, and HE in general being squeezed internally and externally, this is now under threat.  “People have been critical about event management degrees in the past,” said Caroline, “Which could result in people either choosing to ‘learn on the job’ instead or even study something else at university.”  A more recent development has been the Level 3 Event Assistant Apprenticeship, which has had limited success so far.  Perhaps this is not the appropriate level and plans have been discussed  for Levels 4, 6 and 7.  The industry needs to get behin these potential pipelines before it loses them.

Caroline is keen to point out that the events industry experts do support education because “Everything needs to be applied to practice”.   Guest lectures, volunteering, part time work experience and collaborative working on live projects is a strength of event management education that is not celebrated enough.

That said, people right now are turning to online, bite size learning and there is a lot of free content available, but few structured courses or accreditation/recognition by a professional body. 

In conclusion, Caroline said, “COVID-19 has actually helped to get the government’s attention,” and it is the “Ideal time to launch”, so she urged the IEM Directors to “Get on and do it”.    Responding to this, Chris Pateman, IEM Director, said, “It was a delight listening to Caroline and we agree that it really is now or never for us to launch and serve the industry in its hour of need.”  Accepting the challenge, Susan Spibey, IEM Director, said, “We are committed to seeing this through for our industry.”  As a result the IEM has today invited all 700 enquirers to the IEM to join their LinkedIn group, as a platform to empower the event management community and is convening an Event Educators Summit.  The intention is to have membership and accreditations/recognitions in place by the end of the year.

BVEP Report

 

Headline: The Fine Art of Conversation

It was like Picasso meets Van Gogh meets Salvador Dali. But it was actually the high-impact Visual Minutes recording the discussions held by Meetings Show visitors with a combination of senior representative from the new Institute of Events Management and EFAPCO the European Federation of the Associations of PCOs.

They are occupying the special zone dedicated to extending the “Big Conversation” on skills and professional recognition for the meetings and events industry.

We had a series of hot questions, which attracted plenty of excellent answers,” said IEM Chair Susan Spibey. “Did visitors know about the IEM? Was it important to have a qualification from a recognised professional body? Did having a degree in event management make it easier to work in the sector? Would visitors like to be part of a global network of revised professionals?

The IEM will be able to offer all of these any plenty more, when it lifts off in the upcoming months,” she added.

And EFAPCO Board Members were able to offer a European perspective on many of the issues being tackled by the IEM , not least thanks to its EUROBS educational research programme.

In extending the “big conversation” on skills and professional recognition we are creating an environment to capture the views of individuals as to whether they would benefit from the Institute of Event Management.

The dramatic, hyperactive, Mural Minutes were interpreted and painted by an expert team from CreativeConnection a communication and graphic facilitation agency that is made up of artists, visual facilitators, coaches, animators, producers, trainers, digital strategists and consultants.

Some of our core strengths include visual scribing and graphic facilitation and these are infused into everything we do with a focus on ‘Transformative Narrative’. The key to our success is our ability to listen, record and then visualise,” said CreativeConnection’s Arianna Corradi.

The team delivers a range of services that effectively cover a variety of needs, designing a bespoke package that incorporates a range of services to maximise and achieve project objectives, ensuring maximum engagement with the audience. Some of the key services we offer include: animations, visual minutes, consultancy, training and away days.

Visual communication is a proven way of enhancing business communication and our creative thinking and visual scribing can help clients achieve this.

We believe story is the sole source of creativity, conflict, imagination, change and engagement. Since 1984 CreativeConnection has worked to close the gap between the story (the narrative) people tell about what they are doing, with the story they aspire to achieve.”

For further editorial information contact:

Robin Anderson. Media Consultant EFAPCO & IEM
Email: robin@ra-a.co.uk
M: +44 (0)782 843 4626
T: +44 (0)1670 523568
W: www.event-managers.org and www.efapco.eu

Or:
Simon Moorehead ACA
IEM Business Adviser
Email: simon.moorehead@iem.institute

Or:
Ari Corradi
M: +44 (0)782 70 13 191
W: www.creativeconnection.co.uk
E: arianna.corradi@creativeconnection.co.uk