The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has announced the formation of a new working group addressing venue strategy.
The Venue Strategy Working Group will focus on sharing knowledge, best practices, guidance for building back the industry post-Covid and raising awareness of long-term thinking among members.
The working group was the product of a regular but informal meeting between venue professionals during the pandemic. The meetings gained traction and participants due to the benefits of being able to share and discuss issues at a senior level of venue operations.
The working group, which met officially for the first time on March 7, 2022, is chaired by Anna Clover, executive director of event management and guest experience, ExCeL London, with Neil Chandler, venue operations director, QEII Centre, as vice-chair,
Clover said: “ExCeL London has always played a very active role within the AEV, so it’s an honour to be adding my name to this. The concept for this new working group was initially devised during the pandemic, but all of us recognise the importance and need to continue to share knowledge venue-to-venue and to approach key matters more strategically. We’re delighted to have now formalised this and look forward to playing our part in fully restoring the events industry.”
Parker added: "I had the pleasure of chairing the group in its informal existence during the pandemic, and now is the right time to bring it into the family of working groups as a fully constituted member. The formation of this group is an important and timely one, as it will be identifying and discussing the challenges faced by venue leadership teams today, and looking for informed, collaborative, and progressive solutions."
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
