AEV endorses first event management degree

The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has, today, launched the AEV academic endorsement framework for event management degrees.

AEV academic associate membership was launched in 2022, the new endorsement framework follows nearly two years development within the AEV academic working group. The framework will address four key attributes: technical skills, professional attributes, core values and events and venues expertise.

Alden Arnold, head of projects and commercial, AEV, explained, “We are excited to share the endorsement framework, it is a positive step for the future workforce of the events industry and its employers. Students will know that any university carrying the AEV endorsed logo has worked directly with the industry to ensure they finish their studies with the requisite tuition, readying them for suitable post graduate employment in the events industry, in turn employers will know graduates from those universities have the necessary skills and knowledge.”

The AEV academic associate membership now includes eight universities:  founding partner University of Greenwich, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of East London, Leeds Beckett University, University of West London, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham and Coventry University.

Endorsement is open to any AEV academic associate member.

AEV lead academic member University of Greenwich applied for its MA International Events Management degree programme in June 2024 and is the first to be endorsed.

Dr Peter Vlachos, principal lecturer at University of Greenwich and lead academic advisor to AEV commented, "We are proud to be working with AEV, the lead professional organisation representing the UK's top, world class venues. This endorsement ensures that our graduates are 'industry-ready' and our degrees are informed by the high professional, safety and service standards upheld by AEV. As lead academic advisor to AEV, I have observed first-hand the robust approach that AEV has taken in formulating this endorsement framework. We are honoured to deliver the first ever degrees to be endorsed by AEV.”

The endorsement is carried out by an endorsement panel formed of venue members of the AEV academic working group.

Rachel Parker, director, AEV, said, “This is an excellent addition to our academic associate membership and will be further complimented by the mentoring programme to be launched shortly.  I’d like to thank the endorsement panel for their hard work and contributions and I look forward to all our academic associate members offering AEV endorsed degrees.”