A new initiative designed to
support men across the live events, experiential and meetings sectors has
officially launched, responding to a growing need for honest conversation and
connection in a high-pressure industry.
MEN - Meeting & Event Network - has been created as a confidential, professionally supported space where men
can talk openly about the realities of work and life, without judgement,
expectation or pressure.
The events industry is known for
its energy, creativity and pace, but behind the scenes it can also be
demanding, isolating and emotionally intense. MEN has been developed to
acknowledge that reality and provide something many feel has been missing – a space
to talk, or simply listen, without needing to perform. It also reflects a
broader challenge around men’s attitudes to mental health, where many still
feel pressure to appear resilient and are less likely to open up or seek
support.
The initiative has been founded by
Robert Kenward and James Hitchen, with James Capell-Abra and Mark Green as
ambassadors.
Speaking about the launch, Robert
Kenward, co-founder, MEN said: “Since the pandemic, I have had my own
challenges with my mental health, and I had nowhere obvious to turn apart from
professional help. Through that process, something became clear. There isn’t
really a space for these conversations to happen openly in our sector. This is
about creating one.”
MEN is built around facilitated,
in-person sessions held quarterly in small groups. Each session is co-hosted
with a trained therapist, counsellor and professional safeguarding specialist
ensuring a safe and structured environment where participants can speak freely
or simply listen. Importantly, MEN is not positioned as a mental health
intervention or replacement for professional support. Instead, it sits
alongside those services, offering connection and shared understanding within
an industry-specific context.
James Hitchen, co-founder, MEN
added: “I didn’t feel like there was anywhere to go when I was struggling in
the industry. MEN is about creating something that just didn’t exist then - somewhere people can talk or feel less on their own.”
Mark Green, ambassador MEN added:
“MEN is a vital and well-timed safe space for our industry. Having somewhere
judgement-free where people can open up and connect is hugely important.”
James Capell-Abra, ambassador MEN
said: “I’ve seen the toll this industry can take and the barriers men put up.
MEN creates a space where those barriers can come down and conversations can
happen properly.”
The first MEN session will take
place on 13th May in London, with places limited to ensure a safe and
supportive environment. Those interested in attending can register at https://meetingandeventnetwork.com
to secure their place and be notified of the venue.
MEN is open to all men, and those
who identify as male, working across all areas of the events, experiential and
MICE ecosystem, regardless of role, seniority or career stage.
Sessions are confidential, not
recorded or repeated on social media, and built on clear principles of trust,
respect and discretion.
The founders say that at a time when the industry
continues to evolve, with increasing commercial pressure, hybrid working and
heightened scrutiny, MEN aims to quietly rebuild something many feel has been
lost - a sense of community where honesty doesn’t come at a cost.
