Recognising the Courage and Vision of Leadership

In celebration of Women’s History Month, I’d like to recognise all the smart women who are leading our industry in all sectors and at all levels of experience, especially our EIC volunteer leaders working on various committees and governance including our EIC Board and Council members and Strategic Partners. As we fully appreciated over the past few years and as our discussions around workforce deepened, we recognised both the resilience and the vulnerability of so many of our peers and how we must provide support and allyship across the industry’s workforce.  

I want to also recognise those flourishing and doing great work running small businesses, consulting, creating opportunities for themselves to follow their dreams, values and passion – all while fulfilling a critical role in our industry particularly now when we are all thinking differently about how we build our teams and leverage talent to accomplish our goals. 

Making that leap takes a ton of courage, vision and resilience. The opportunity to offer leadership does not correlate necessarily with experience or tenure. It also takes passion, conviction, and generosity.

As part of its coverage on Women’s History Month, I was recently asked by Trade Show News Network about advice that I would give the next generation of female leaders in our industry. I shared a few things that I believe can have a lasting impact to all leaders: Be available to invest in your professional development, build a strong peer network, listen intently, never be afraid to ask a generous question, and offer your support to others along the way.

Earning your CMP certification is a powerful example of the lasting impact that you can have – not only on your professional career but also on the future of our industry. Next month, EIC is hosting the return of an in-person event built by CMPs, exclusively for CMPs: CMP Advance. This event brings your peer network – fellow CMPs from around the world – together for two days of learning, idea exchange and intention setting as we look toward our industry’s future.

Immediately following CMP Advance, we will convene the inaugural CMP Fellows Think Tank and Retreat. Facilitated by Terri Breining, CMP, CMM, CED, this retreat and think tank will focus on the current and future issues facing the industry – and offers a platform for these CMP leaders to share their deep expertise and experience.

Our future depends deeply on the entire CMP community – your leadership, your vision and your passion for business events. I look forward to seeing you at CMP Advance, 30 April-2 May in New York.

 

Amy Calvert, CEO, Events Industry Council