The Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), a UK industry association, held its annual general meeting (AGM) at Dunchurch Park Hotel, Rugby, 8 July, and welcomed 90 members to the first face-to-face ESSA event since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
Results of new elections to the ESSA board were announced, with electronic voting having taken place the day before. The following members were elected to the board: Hayley Ashenden, founder and ops director of Expose Designs Ltd; Rob Brackstone, MD of ESM Ltd; Mark Clayton, MD of InEvexco Ltd; Alexandra Bailey, MD and co-founder of Creative8 Ltd; Martin Cairns, MD of Beechwood Events; John Robson, MD of Aztec Event Services.
The AGM included presentations from ESSA director Andrew Harrison (pictured) and ESSA chair Lou Kiwanuka, and the treasurer’s report. An ESSA Town Hall session followed the official business of the AGM, and delegates were able to quiz the newly elected board members on strategy, ESSA’s post-Covid-19 future and the new membership structure.
Harrison also took a minute on stage to thank Christine Cottrell, ESSA events and marketing manager, who is retiring.
After the AGM and town hall meeting had concluded, guests were invited to a barbecue lunch in the marquee and on the terrace at Dunchurch Park Hotel.
Harrison said: “We wanted to bring members together in person again, after so many virtual meetings. I am genuinely delighted that so many members made the journey to join us. The secluded and verdant setting of Dunchurch Park proved to be the perfect location for us to reacquaint ourselves with the membership face to face, present our pragmatic and optimistic strategy for the association, and discuss our aspirations for the industry and our sector in particular.”
