AEV launches six new working groups for 2025

The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has launched six new working groups for 2025 bringing the total offering to 22.

Consisting of individuals who volunteer to share their expertise and skills, the working groups form a fundamental part of AEV and its sister associations, focusing on topics crucial to event professionals.

Rachel Parker, AEV director, said, “We hold a combination of face to face and virtual meetings during which members discuss common issues, goals and practices that are more effectively addressed and explored as a collective. We have listened to our members and formed the new groups to enhance and optimise key areas.”

The new AEV and cross-association working groups and their leadership teams:

• Social value working group – to help drive the positive impact venues can have on the communities they serve, ensuring they contribute to social, economic and environmental wellbeing.
  • Chair: Natalie Sykes, sustainability manager, Excel London

• Guest experience working group – considering the unique perspectives of event venues, arenas and stadiums, the group aims to drive improvements in operational efficiency, enhance customer satisfaction and elevate the overall reputation of venues.
  • Co-chair: Jay Bourley, head of guest experience, The O2
  • Co-chair: Claire Sellick, senior manager guest experience, Excel London

• Venue sustainability working group – formalising the venue break out from the cross association sustainability working group, this group can focus on venue sustainability, working to help reduce the event industry’s impact on the environment.
  • Chair: Lauren Hudson, sustainability & safety advisor, Manchester Central

• Future focus working group – working to stay ahead of emerging trends, new technologies and business opportunities that drive growth and innovation in the venue industry.
  • Chair: TBA

• Cross association eGuide user group – to empower the wider event community by promoting uniform working practices, especially in adoptee venues, creating a path for understanding and opportunity to contribute to the evolution of the Guide.
  • Chair: Michelle Baldwin, head of events, NEC

• Cross association security & counter terrorism working group – to enable consistency in threat intelligence dissemination, robust security practices and a collaborative stance on evolving security legislation.
  • Co-chair:  Henry Havis, head of security strategy and resilience, Excel London
  • Co-chair: Jen Phipps, operations director, RX UK Hub
  • Vice chair: Corina Hedley, safety, security & operations director, Hyve Group Ltd

Six existing working groups have also welcomed new leadership this year:

• Marketing and communications
  • Chair: Michelle Kemp, director of marketing and communications, Excel London
• Junior Event Managers
  • Vice chair: Ben Sherriff, venue manager, Co-op Live
• Cross association HR
  • Chair: Jess Bridge, head of HR, Manchester Central
• Cross association electrics technical
  • Vice chair: James Blackall, deputy production manager, The O2
• Cross association health and safety
  • Vice chair: Matthew Jones, head of health, safety, risk, & compliance, ACC Liverpool
• Cross association diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Interim chair: Laura Beattie, senior operations executive, IMEX Group

The association is currently recruiting vice chair roles for a number of working groups.

Alden Arnold, head of commercial and projects, AEV, commented, “Last year we held 66 meetings totalling 121 hours of collaboration – this year looks like it’ll be even busier! The working groups focus on areas of critical importance; managing 22, and the output of those groups, means we rely on the expertise of our members and those of our sister associations and we are immensely grateful for their continued support.”

Parker added “I would like to welcome and thank our new chairs and vice chairs, they play a key role in guiding their group.”