Year In Review 2024
Events Industry Council
Our Vision EIC is the umbrella organisation for the Global Business Events Industry.
Our Mission EIC sets the industry standards to elevate professionalism and impact by gathering global SMEs to develop resources and guidance and to measure and articulate the impact .
Our Values Ethical, Transparent, Inclusive, Innovative, Responsible.
Our Members As the global voice of the business events industry, the Events Industry Council brings together a diverse cross- section of Association and Corporate Members that represent every sector of the events industry. Our growing worldwide federation includes 33+ Association Members representing more than 103,500 individuals and 19,500 entities and 30+ Strategic Partners and Corporate Members with global operations and event teams in countries around the world
Signature Programmes
Letter from the CEO
Dear EIC Board, Council and Volunteer Leaders, Our Year in Review was created to provide you with a celebratory look back at 2024, highlighting the achievements and milestones of our 75 th Anniversary Year. While it was an extraordinary year of growth and impact, enabled by our shared commitment to the global business events industry, we know that there is important work to be done. This note and resource is being delivered to you as we grapple with another climate-related natural disaster — the on-going fires in Los Angeles. We are all heartbroken by the devastation, while also finding comfort in witnessing the outpouring of support from across our industry. As we have become adept at living with a backdrop of humanitarian crises, events have remained relevant demonstrating our sector’s resilience. We continue to consider how best given this reality to honour our values and our commitment to supporting personal and professional well-being during heavy times. .
We recognize that while we cannot solve for all these realities, we can have an impact through our commitment to our industry and our work to find ways to unify for maximum benefit and impact. This commitment led our Council through the year-long collaborative work on the Futures Landscape Study, which examined the issues and trends likely to shape the business events industry in the years to come. The resulting Futures Landscape Report — released in the coming weeks and created with the support of the SITE Foundation, Gaining Edge and IPSOS, a global leader in market research — will serve as an actionable guide to support future readiness. We are also nearing the final stages of the multi-year update to the CMP International Standards, a far-reaching project that has leveraged the expertise of more 1,000 CMP SMEs. The updates to the competencies and domains will help ensure CMPs are set for success in the modern events landscape. We will soon begin the same rigorous review of the EIC Sustainable Event Standards. In the year ahead, I look forward to the launch of a capital campaign in support of the important work of the EIC Foundation, the year-long rollout of the Futures Landscape Report, development of the next iteration of the Economic Significance Study, creation of an Equity and Inclusion Acceleration Guide for even professionals, growth of our CMP Scholarship programme, planning for the 2026 CMP Advance and much more.
Letter from the CEO To our 2024 CMP Governance Commission and community: Chair Cornelia Horner, CMP Fellow; Chair-Elect Heather Seasholtz, CMP Fellow; and Immediate Past Chair Tim Glanzer, CMP Fellow DES — you continue to inspire our industry through your commitment to professionalism, collaboration, learning and leading. I look forward to continuing to work with you on the rollout of the update to the CMP International Standards. To our incredible volunteer leaders including our committee chairs: APEX Commission Johnny Martinez; APEX Critical Issues Chair Mike Dominguez; Equity Task Force Chair Jason Dunn Sr.; Knowledge Committee Chair Frank Yang, CMP, CEM, PMP, DES; and Sustainability and Social Impact Committee Chair Gayle Murphey, I am beyond grateful for the work you do as an extension of our team to ensure it is a global collaboration. To all those that dedicated their time energy and heart to the EIC sustainability journey, we are so proud of your accomplishments. We now have almost 1,000 professionals who have earned their Sustainable Event Professional Certificate and have had successful cohorts, including programmes with Accor/Fairmont, Destination Canada, Marriot, Freeman, Diversified Communications, Marina Bay Sands and TCEB. And we are seeing a growing number of venues, destinations, events and organisations committing to advancing ESG goals and pursuing EIC Sustainable Event Certification (see the full list on page 22). We applaud you and hold your efforts up to all those who are considering following in your footsteps. A very special thank you to our strategic partners and sponsors who helped make 2024 such an impactful year, including: • ALHI • Encore • Hilton • IMEX • Marina Bay Sands • MGM Resorts There is so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to as we set our sights on the work, we will do together in 2025. The world we live in will continue to present us with challenges — I hope you will have the time over the next month to reflect on all that we have accomplished, the goodness that surrounds us through the impact of our sector. Practices that I will continue to work on this year include finding ways to make room for new voices in our industry conversations, being cognizant of those who feel like they are not invited to participate and being more curious in general. These practices are at the core of who we are and what makes our industry, our people and the work we do together so unique and important. • • • • • Oak View Group SITE Foundation Fairmont Royal York Speakers Spotlight ARIA Resort and Casino
Amy Calvert President and CEO Events Industry Council
Action Items ü Mark important dates on your 2025 calendar (planning calendar on page 34) ü Begin thinking about your nominations for the 2025 Global Awards ü Be on the lookout for your 2025 Dues Invoice
2024 A Look Back
A Look Back at 2024 January • The 2024 EIC Board of Directors and Council take office, including Board Chair Ana Maria Viscasillas, MBA, CDME. • EIC hosts focus groups as part of the multi- year CMP Competency Profile project to update the International CMP Standards. February • EIC welcomes 11 new members to the CMP Fellows . • An updated CMP Today debuts leveraging state-of-the-art, data-driven Axios platform. First issue earns 86% open rate to 13,000 recipients. March • Thirty Member delegates come together in Toronto for the EIC Council Leadership Meeting featuring a keynote from futurist Shawn Kanungo and an interactive workshop that will serve as the launch pad for the year- long Futures Landscape Study. • More than 250 CMPs from around the world gather in Toronto for CMP Advance and two full days of focused learning, networking and best-practice sharing. • The 2024 Chair Award is presented to outstanding volunteer leaders Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM, CASE, DES, CITP; Melissa Cherry; and Timothy Glanzer, CMP Fellow.
April • EIC hosts a Sustainable Event Professional Certificate workshop during The Meetings Show at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. More than 90 meeting professionals participate in the highly rated course. May • EIC and the Oak View Group announce a landmark multi-year strategic partnership that will see more than 60 of OVG’s convention venues certify to the EIC Sustainable Event Standards. • TED Conferences wins the IMEX- EIC Innovation in Sustainability Awards, which is announced during the IMEX Awards Gala.
A Look Back at 2024
June • The Sustainability and Social Impact Committee hosts an ESG Unpacked webinar to help event pros better understand global regulations. August • EIC launches a global survey of CMPs to better understand how we can continue to provide value to the growing community of meeting professionals. September • EIC, with the support of the SITE Foundation, deploys the Futures Landscape Study Survey to business events stakeholders worldwide. • More than 40 EIC Member delegates convene in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the 75 th Anniversary EIC Council Leadership Meeting . October • Leaders from every sector of the global business events industry come together to honour EIC’s 75 th Anniversary and Global Awards. • Five industry legends are inducted into the prestigious Hall of Leaders. .
November • The Q2 2024 Global Events Barometer reveals group hotel room nights and RFP have both reached 2019 levels — a first since the pandemic and indicators of long-term strength. • The CMP Competency Profile Project completes bias review, one of the final steps before the 2025 rollout of the new International Standards and updated exam. • Many EIC members participate in the Forum for Advocacy during IBTM World in Barcelona. • The EIC Pavillion at IBTM World is a busy gathering spot with education hosted by EIC members Global DMC Partners, IAEE, IAPCO, MPI and SITE.
Association Members
Corporate Members
EIC by the Numbers Expanding Our Global Reach
Our worldwide federation includes 32 Association Members representing 103,500 individuals and 19,500 entities and more than 30 Corporate Members with global operations and event teams in countries around the world.
EIC Research
More than 7,500 views of the Economic Significance Study More than 3,000 views of the Quarterly Global Events Barometer More than 4,100 views of the Equity Task Force Benchmarking Study
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More than 13,000 CMPs worldwide 55 countries represented 85 CMP Fellows More than 250 CMP Advance attendees More that 1,000 SEPC certificates earned 8,015 members in private CMP LinkedIn group
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Traditional and Social Media • 158,00 total website visits and 607,000 total page views in 2024 • 2,350 print or digital media mentions in 2024 • 84,600 followers on LinkedIn earning more than 328,000 impressions in 2024 • More than 11,000 followers on Facebook • 4,800 Instagram followers
2024 Global Awards
EIC 75 th Anniversary and Global Awards Celebration
In October, leaders from every sector of the global business events industry came together to honour EIC milestone 75th Anniversary and celebrate the recipients of the 2024 Global Awards, including five new inductees into the Hall of Leaders. The unforgettable black-tie evening was a poignant reminder of the power of our industry to foster human connections, transform lives and drive economic impact.
Photos courtesy of EPNAC
Thank You to the Global Awards Sponsors Event Sponsors: MGM Resorts, Aria Resort and Casino, Encore, Cvent, EPNAC and Wisdom Capture. Strategic Sponsors: ALHI, Encore, IMEX, Hilton. Oak View Group, MGM Resorts and Marina Bay Sands. Premier Level: IMEX Benefactor Level: PCMA, IHG, Destination DC Partner Level: IAEE, International School of Hospitality, MCI Group, NACE, New Orleans & Company, Oak View Group, San Diego Tourism Authority, SearchWide Global, SITE Foundation, Teneo, IRF Patron Level: Boldpush, Freeman, MCI Group, Marina Bay Sands, Maritz, MPI, New York City Tourism + Conventions, Visit Phoenix
Events Industry Council Celebrating 75 Years
2024 Hall of Leaders Inductees
Cathy Breden, CMP Fellow, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Executive Vice President, IAEE Robin Lokerman, CMM, FASAE Group President, MCI Group Greg O’Dell President of Venue Management, OVG 360 William Reed, FASAE, CMP Chief Strategy Officer, American Society of Hematology Julius Solaris Founder, Boldpush
2024 Global Award Recipients
Pacesetter Award
Paola Bowman, CMP, CMM Sina Bunte, CMP, DES Shameka Jennings, CMP, CAE
Social Impact
Diana Hawkins, SPHR, SHR-SCP Gary Murakami, CMP Fellow, GTP, GLP, CMM, DES
Signature Programmes
Advocacy and Research Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study Reveals Full Scope of Industry Impact
In May 2023, EIC, in partnership with Oxford Economics, released its far- reaching 2023 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study, which measures the full scope and economic significance of the $1.6 trillion USD global business events industry. For the first-time, EIC and Oxford Economics examined the critical role business events serve in areas like knowledge sharing, innovation and employee engagement — critical impacts that go well beyond direct event spending. Regional Fact Sheets were released in 2024.
In collaboration with
Advocacy and Research Quarterly Global Business Events Barometer Points to Sustained Recovery for Industry . Throughout the year, the Barometer
suggested a sustained recovery for the events industry, and the latest report (Q2 2024) revealed that for the first time, both group hotel room nights and RFP activity matched pre-pandemic levels.
Since we launched the Barometer in January 2022, we have observed a sustained uptick in events activity. This points the way to a promising full recovery and continued evidence of the relevance of our sector and our industry’s true purpose— fostering human connections and collaboration. — Amy Calvert, EIC CEO “ . ”
Advocacy and Research EIC Members Collaborate on Study Examining the Issues Likely to Shape the Future of Events
Starting in early 2024, EIC Members and volunteer leaders embarked on a year-long examination of the critical issues most likely to shape the global business industry in the years to come with a belief that understanding these issues will help us better prepare our organisations and workforce. EIC Council Members participated in workshops in Frankfurt and Puerto Rico. That work fed into an industry-wide survey deployed across the business events landscape. The Survey asked respondents to rate issues (e.g. accessibility, technology, etc.) in terms of importance and provide commentary on each issues cause and effect. The survey was created with the support of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Foundation, which drives the business case for incentive travel and motivational experiences, and GainingEdge, a global consulting firm focused on the business events and tourism industry. The survey results will feed into the final report, which will be released in early 2025. EIC has partnered with Ipsos, a global market research leader, to create the final report. .
CMP: A Global Badge of Distinction
Launched by EIC in 1985, the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Programme supports the ongoing pursuit of excellence and highest standards among those in the the meeting industry. Recognised globally as a badge of excellence in the events industry, the CMP credential takes into consideration professional experience, ongoing education and passing a rigorous exam, which is updated regularly. This unique community represents every sector of the industry—from corporations and associations to government and institutional organisations.
More than 13,000 meeting professionals in 55 countries around the globe hold the CMP designation.
In 2024, EIC welcomed 784 new CMPs into the programme.
Benefits of certification
Recognition for your experience, knowledge and commitment to the highest standards for events and meetings. Support from a global community of peers spanning diverse industries. Access to exclusive tools, resources (including a private LinkedIn group) and events created by and for CMPs. Potential increased earnings. According to a PCMA study, meeting professionals who held a CMP certification earned an average of $10,756 more than their non-certified counterparts. Brand signal to current and future employers.
CMP Advance Brings Global Community Together to Build Relationships and Supercharge Professional Growth
More than 250 CMPs met at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto for CMP Advance 11-13 March 2024. Open exclusively to CMPs, the two-day, in-person experience focused on building connections and featured peer-to-peer learning sessions, skills development workshops, and high-quality, inspiring keynotes. The next CMP Advance will be held in 2026 with smaller CMP activations scheduled throughout 2025 at various industry events.
Photos courtesy of EPNAC
Thanks to the CMP Advance Sponsors We would like to thank our 2024 CMP Advance event hosts and sponsors: Canyon Ranch, Cvent, Visit Canada, Discovery Toronto, Encore, EPNAC, Fairmont Royal York, Highbell, Marriott International, Nashville Music City, Quell, Soundings and Speakers Spotlight.
CMP Competency Profile Project
Kelly Coates CMP groups conducted by Prometric (a globally recognised leader in skills assessments and certifications), bias and validity testing and countless hours of analysis. The new exam will be Beta tested Every five years EIC conducts a Competency Profile study to determine the skills and knowledge that best define a successful professional in the global events industry. The next update to the CMP International Standards will be released in early 2025 — the result of more than 18 months of work involving more than 1,000 CMP SMEs. The project included a special task force, a global survey of business event professionals, regionally diverse focus beginning 1 March 2025. We are currently seeking volunteers to take the exam. The final new exam will be released in mid- 2025. CMP Fellows Launched in 2022, the CMP Fellows Programme distinguishes and celebrates CMPs and/or Emeritus who have made a long-standing commitment to excellence, experience, education and service to the Global Business Events Industry. CMP Fellows are invited to exclusive EIC and other industry events, networking groups, and other opportunities within the events community.
The CMP Fellows welcomed 24 new members to their ranks in 2024
Sustainability and Social Impact Programmes Continued to Gain Momentum in 2024
The EIC Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact provides globally-relevant resources that champion the adoption of sustainable and socially impactful practices. By providing access to these resources, we contribute to a lasting pan-industry commitment to environmental and social responsibility, including accelerated action for sustainable development and increased diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Centre seeks to support and champion a global community of event professionals dedicated to this journey. 2024 was a banner year for the Centre, with a growing number of individuals and organisations committing to the sustainability journey.
Key Initiatives
EIC Sustainable Event Standards These are a collection of eight specific standards that assess events and industry suppliers. Sustainable Event Professional Certificate Combining active learning and experiential elements, this programme is designed to enable participants to implement their own sustainable events.
Principles for Sustainable Events The principles encourage organisations and practitioners to adopt practices that support a healthy natural environment, resilient and inclusive communities and culture, and
thriving economies. Equity Task Force
The task force is charged with addressing systemic racism in the business events industry by developing a meaningful framework for action to accelerate inclusion Educational Resources Online resource library, live and on-demand webinars, how-to-guides, infographics, papers, and state of sustainability surveys.
EIC Sustainable Event Standards
The EIC Sustainable Event standards are a collection of eight (8) specific standards that assess events and industry suppliers on a wide range of sustainability criteria in support of environmental and social responsibility. There are four levels for the standards: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum
Congratulations to those organisations that have achieved certification, including:
Thanks to our Social Impact Partners We would like to thank the EIC Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact Partners, including Oak View Group, Encore, IMEX and MGM Resorts.
EIC Provides Thought Leadership Throughout the Year at Industry Events IMEX Frankfurt
In May, the team traveled to Frankfurt to host several activities in support of CMPs, the Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact and the year-long Futures Landscape Study. EIC presented TED Conferences with the IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award .
IMEX America and EIC Global Awards In October, the EIC team headed to Las Vegas for IMEX America, participating in multiple panel discussions and hosting CMPs and Global Award Honorees in our booth. Education topics included Designing Environments for Inclusivity and Impact and The Futures Landscape Study.
IBTM World In November EIC hosted a pavilion at IBTM World in Barcelona with members Global DMC Partners, IAEE, IAPCO, MPI and SITE. The EIC Pavillion was a center of activity throughout the show, with a variety of education sessions and a standing room-only Member Reception.
2024 Board and Committees
2024 Board of Directors
CEO Amy Calvert Events Industry Council
Chair Ana María Viscasillas MBA, CDME, DES, CED Board Liaison COCAL
Chair Elect Senthil Gopinath
Immediate Past Chair Sherrif Karamat CAE PCMA and CEMA
ICCA: International Congress and Convention Association
Jason Dunn Sr National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals
Stephanie Harris The Incentive Research Foundation
Michelle Mason, FASEA, CAE ASAE: Center for Association Leadership
Elizabeth Niehaus IELA: International Exhibition Logistics Association
2024 Areas of Focus • Update to Board Structure and Succession Strategy • Financial Health • Centres of Excellence • 2030 Strategy • EIC Foundation Strategy • Futures Landscape Study
Vincent Polito, SSIO Society of Independent Show Organizers
Tina Wehmeir, CMP, CAE AMC Institute
2024 APEX Commission
Andre Cholewinski CMP, DES
Zibby Aman
Eduardo Chaillo CMP, CMM, CASE, DES, CITP
Kevin Kelly CMP, DES, CASE
Chair Johnny Martinez
Allison Kinsley CMP, CMM, CED
Cheryl Oswald CMP, CMM
Akshar Patel CMP
Kimberly Knight CMP, CAE
Melva LaJoy LaGrand CMP, DES
Julie Smith CEM-AP, CTA
Emily Scheiderer
Carol Pund CMM, DES
Rachael Riggs
Gary Schirmacher CMP
Erin Tench CMP, CMM
Elizabeth Tovar CMP, CMM, CED
Tyra Warner CMP, CMM, CASE, DES, CITP
Johnnie White
Dan Williams
2024 Areas of Focus • Futures Landscape Study coordination with the APEX Critical Issues Work Group • Support for EIC education sessions at industry events throughout the year • Update to APEX Resources, including Risk Management, Contractor Management, Contracts, RFPs, Post-Event Report, Housing and Registration template and Meeting and Site Profile, Event Specifications Guide
2024 Sustainability and Social Impact Committee
Gayle Murphy
Gwendal Castellan BSC., CEM
Elena Fis
Glenda Brungatdt CTSM
Alisson Batres
Meredith Flanagan CMP, CMM, CPCE
Meghan Green
Amy Hissrich
Roger Lehner
Stephanie Jones CAE, CMP, DES, CTSM
Heike Mahmoud CMP
Akshar Patel
Nancy Prowda
Brecht Putnam CMP
Nithya Ramakrishnan CMP, CEM
Rachael Riggs
Dermot Ryan
Laura Sivels
Ben Wielgus
2024 Areas of Focus • ESG Unpacked Webinar • Serve as resources at industry events • Development of Sustainable Event Case Studies • Creation of the semi-annual Sustainable Events Survey to be deployed in early 2025
2024 CMP Governance Commission
Donnell Bayot
Olivia Butler CMP
Chair Cornelia Horner CMP Fellow
Chair-Elect Heather Seasholtz CMP Fellow, DES
Immediate Past Chair Tim Glanzer CMP Fellow, HMCC
Debra Collins MBA, CMP, LSSGB
Jennifer Collins CMP
Kerry Crockett MBA, CMP Fellow, CAE, DES
Deanna Griffith-House CMP Fellow
Devin Lewis CMP, CMP Fellow DES
Christian Pardo CMP
Tracey Pierce CMP
Diana M Rodriguez CMP
Jessie SaLee CMP
Masayuki Tanaka CMP
Alex Zapple CAE, CMP, CEM, DES
2024 Areas of Focus • CMP Competency Profile Project and the update to the CMP International Standards • CMP Advance Toronto
• CMP Needs Assessment Survey • CMP Scholarship Programme • Updates to the Preferred Provider Programme
2024 EIC Knowledge Committee
Derek Blake CMM
Paola Bowman CMP, CMM
Seungwon (Shawn) Lee
Chair Frank Yang CMP, CEM, PMP, DES
Nicole Nichols MS, CMP, DES
Joyce Paschall CAE, CMP-HC, CMM
Andrea Peterson CMP, MTA
Cara Puah CMP, CEM, DES
Sofia Rodrigues CMM
Natasha Ross MBA, CMP, VEMM
Brittany Smiley CMP, MMP, HMCC
Naomi Tucker CMP
2024 Areas of Focus • Assisted with the creation of the CMP Needs Assessment Survey • Contributed to the development of the Futures Landscape Study • Supported education development for CMP Advance
Our Management Team
Leslie Bailey Director, Community Experience
Steve Dobbins Chief Marketing Officer
Rob Haas Technology & Data Strategy
Amy Calvert President and CEO
Mariela Bazán Strategic Advisor Certifications, Accreditation and Sustainability
Liz Jang Director, Events
Jason Leon-Baptista Marketing and Communications
Neal Bryant Marketing and Communications
EIC Strategic Partners EIC has developed Strategic Partnerships with an elite group of global organisations that share our mission to advance the global business events industry through advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards. These mutually beneficial partnerships support many of our most important initiatives. We are grateful for their generous support and ongoing partnerships.
2025 Planning Calendar
2025 Planning Calendar Note: All dates are tentative and subject to change.
January 17
Virtual Council Meeting
February 18
Nominations Open for Global Awards
April 7-8 8-9 8-11
EIC Board Meeting (Washington, D.C.) EIC Council Meeting (Washington, D.C.) Business Events Industry Week (Washington, D.C.)
May 20-22
IMEX Frankfurt*
21
EIC Council Session (Frankfurt)
June 17
Call for Board and Committee Nominations
August TBD
Virtual Council Meeting
October 6
EIC Global Awards (Las Vegas)
7-9
IMEX America*
November 9-12
ICCA World Congress (Porto) EIC Board Meeting (Porto) EIC Council Meeting (Barcelona) IBTM World* (Barcelona)
13-14 18-20 17
December TBD
Council Meeting (Virtual)
For more information, please contact us at info@eventscouncil.org or visit www.eventscouncil.org
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