THE JOURNEY SO FAR
Building a Community
2012 Legal Entity approved with Ministerial support
2013-14 Refresh of Event Management Standards
2015 Launch of the Apprenticeship Programme
2016 The big debate on Professional recognition?
2017 Scoping the IEM offering and structure
2018 Building the Stakeholders
2019 Creating the Framework and Plan of Action
Well it all looks so simple when you look at it visually – so why did it take you so long could be the first question! Getting everyone onto the same page has been the biggest hurdle and an understanding that a Professional Body is not an Association, nor does it intend to replace or replicate any of the existing organisations in the events space. However, you will hear many people are critical of the fragmentation of the sector – or is it an industry?
Events are complex in themselves and the sector has grown exponentially and globally over the past two decades without any real foundation or structure. I have witnessed much change coming first from the Meetings/Conference business, then moving to Exhibitions, then to hybrid before we started using the word ‘Events’! In developing the concept for the IEM I created the Matrix to provide an understanding of the scope and scale of ‘events’ and have revised it every year since to reflect the continuing changes. It is intended to help everyone gain a better understanding of ‘events’ and define the rationale for the IEM.
2019 was a real turning point in finally gaining traction for the IEM with new Board Members and Specialist Advisers to move it forward. We were pleased to see the responses to the Government’s Talent Task Force Survey which reinforced the need for a skills body, professional recognition and the kind of support which the IEM will provide. Please read The Jackson Interview.
We were excited with the prospect that 2020 would be our year. Well we actually believe it is going to be our year and we are working towards opening for business in Q4! There is much happening to tell you about but am leaving that for the next chapter!
