The UK-based Association of Event Venues (AEV) has announced the formation of the Venue Strategy Working Group.
The working group evolved out of a regular but informal meeting of event professionals during the pandemic led by AEV director Rachel Parker.
The group, which met officially for the first time on 7 March, is chaired by Anna Clover (pictured), executive director of event management and guest experience, ExCeL London, with Neil Chandler, venue operations director, QEII Centre, as vice-chair.
The group will focus on building and sharing a knowledge base in planning, with particular reference to building back the industry post-covid. AEV said it will also aim to “raise awareness of long-term thinking at all levels among the membership and produce guidance and advice on developing relevant venue strategies”.
Clover said: “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 said: “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.”
