More than 260 AEV members gathered for a sell-out AEV conference last week, 17 November, at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre.
Host Shonali Devereaux welcomed guests with an overview of the day’s agenda before introducing Olympic gold medallist, Ben Hunt-Davis MBE (pictured), for his keynote address ‘Will it make the boat go faster?’ explaining the importance of setting clear and direct goals and combining consistent focus and action to transform end results.
The remaining morning sessions addressed the fitness of the political landscape and a panel discussion on the roadmap to net zero focussing on change dynamics chaired by Anna Abdelnoor, isla.
AEV’s strategic risk partner, CHC Global presented its threat intelligence update and was followed by an account on the success of bidding for and delivering the Eurovision Song Contest. The day closed with AI and the future of gathering, and events through the eyes of GenZ.
Rachel Parker, director, AEV, said: “We are always well supported but even more so this year. Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, partners and exhibitors, our annual event would not be possible with-out them. I’d like to extend special thanks to the Queen Elizabeth II Centre for hosting us.”
Parker added: “Seeing the venue community coming together is always rewarding. It is encouraging to see so many peers participating and enjoying our carefully planned programme and the useful takeaways we are offering to get ‘fit for the future’.”
Several university students and lecturers also attended the event as part of the AEV Academic Associate programme.
Micheal Hirst, UKEVENTS, said: “From the inspiration of Ben Hunt-Davis it seems everyone is in the same boat and finding ways to make the boat go faster. Long may the AEV row to bigger, better and calmer water.”
The conference closed with the reveal of next year’s conference date and 20th birthday celebrations on 14 November 2024 at ICC Birmingham.
