Following the launch of its academic associate membership programme 18 months ago, the Association of Event Venues (AEV) has revealed the category has added a further six universities.
The partnerships provide a formal foundation for venues and higher education (HE) institutions to work together, offering the opportunity for students to gain experience of live events and setting a path preparing them to join the industry as graduates.
The academic associate membership now includes seven universities: Greenwich University, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of East London, Leeds Beckett University, University of West London, Birmingham City University and the newest, University College Birmingham.
Kathryn Hayat, head of department (hospitality & tourism) associate professor, University College Birmingham, commented: “By partnering with the AEV, we join a collective voice that supports new generations of, and current working, events staff in an industry that has created 114,000 jobs in the UK with an economic impact of £11 bn. Our students and graduates will have access to a network that actively shares knowledge and engages in opportunities to enhance the events industry.”
In support of the associate membership, AEV has introduced a new academic working group, chaired by Rowan Kitching, venue director, Roundhouse and Dr Peter Vlachos, principal lecturer, faculty of business, University of Greenwich.
Alden Arnold, head of projects and commercial, AEV, said: “The new group aims to enhance the relationship between education and the industry. Many of our members have been involved in academic events to further strengthen the ties and we are working on various projects which we look forward to sharing in the future.”
Pictured: Rachel Parker, director at AEV (left) and Alden Arnold, head of commercial and projects at AEV (right)
