Taking Time to Recognise Exemplary Leadership and Meaningful Impact

As we approach the mid-point of this year, I am energised and encouraged by the leadership being offered particularly as we commit to turning our vision into action. It is essential that we hold up examples of the organisations and individuals modeling the way for others. In many ways, this is the essence of the CMP community: being dedicated to the highest level of professionalism within our industry and to lifelong learning.

We see this leadership take form in many ways, from everyday moments to large-scale impact projects such as our Economic Significance Study that will have a positive and lasting impact on how we tell our best story. One of the ways we hold up these examples is through our EIC Leadership Programme and Global Awards. This is the time of year where at EIC we turn our attention to the planning and execution of our Global Awards event that takes place annually in conjunction with IMEX America.

It is also the time of year where I ask myself some important questions on how we are doing on this front. Are we recognising and appreciating the way in which people from different parts of our industry and global society find value in this experience and the impact of such an endeavor?

The effort is, in many ways, a metaphor for how we as organisations and as leaders move through space and time with a deep appreciation for diversity of thought and practice – while working to create experiences that are relevant, inclusive and inspiring. For those fortunate enough to be in a position to honour extraordinary efforts being made, and those individuals who left a lasting impact on our sector and host events such as these understand, these moments of reflection and recognition can be an important part of how we build inclusivity within our communities, how we make room for new voices and diverse thinking, and how we inspire others to offer their own leadership from wherever they are in their career journey.

I am a big believer in not striving for perfection but rather focusing on excellence. With the support of many partners such as MGM and Encore, I am confident that this year’s journey to our Global Awards Event and Hall of Leaders recognition will be just that.

One area that we continue to see a commitment to excellence and incredible momentum throughout our global industry is in adaptation and innovations on sustainable and equitable events.

Our sector continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental, regenerative, and socially responsible practices. This month, EIC proudly recognises the newest suppliers and events that have achieved the Events Industry Council Sustainable Events Standards: Expo!Expo! by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events; Greenbuild International Conference and Expo by Informa Connect; Felaban by Asociacion Bancaria de Guatemala; GES; Minneapolis Convention Center; Saint Paul Rivercentre/Xcel Energy Center; McCormick Place Convention Center; Savor at McCormick Place and the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Just one year ago, EIC announced an enhanced version of these eight standards, which are designed to assess events and industry suppliers in support of environmental and social responsibility. These standards are indeed a framework for collaboration and measurement over time and we are truly inspired by the commitments being made.

The EIC team and I have enjoyed seeing so many of you at industry events such as IMEX Frankfurt, PCMA EduCon, MPI’s WEC, FIEXPO Latin America, COCAL Annual Congress, and EIC’s own CMP Advance. We will be attending Destinations International and ASAE in July and August. These times together reinforce for us all the power of the collective and the need to continue to find new ways to collaborate. I am thrilled and grateful to all our members and strategic partners for investing in our industry’s future through the work we do together each day to support our workforce.

And what was validated by the release of EIC’s 2023 Global Economic Impact of Business Events study, meeting face-to-face is paramount. The role that our events serve in areas such as building culture, knowledge sharing, innovation and employee engagement are all critical impacts that go beyond direct event spending.

Join us as we celebrate the innovation and leadership shown every day by our industry at the EIC Global Awards on 16 October at Bellagio Las Vegas. I know that many of you are ready to recognise and celebrate your peers, and so are we.

Thank you for your energy, enthusiasm and commitment to our industry.

Amy Calvert, CEO, Events Industry Council