There are several really great websites to find out more about the events industry, including career advice from industry professionals, resources and community spaces. We’ve compiled them into various different groups, from resources curated especially for young people, to industry bodies and associations, to the news outlets you should be following to stay up to date with the latest trends in the events industry. Check them all out below!
If you have a resource you’d like to add to this list then please get in touch with Amelia on amelia.brown@evcom.org.uk.
Curated for Young People
There’s so much information out there, and so it’s particularly useful when you can find organisations who offer resources and support that are specific to you. All of the following organisations are aimed at students, young people, and people starting out in the events industry. There are some great organisations to follow, reach out and get involved with as you start your career in the events industry.
Events 101
What they say: “Events 101 is an online platform for young students and professionals who would like to get into the events industry. We teach our growing network about the various career paths available in the events industry, skills, tips and tricks needed for a successful career in events. Through online events, insight days and collaboration across the industry we ensure those with our network have a full picture of what it means to be a professional within the events, hospitality and travel industries. For the entrepreneurs, you can learn how to take your business to the next level and find networking opportunities within our sessions.
In addition to this, we connect businesses and corporations to young, diverse talent within the event, hospitality and travel industries, across the UK and Europe through our global talent pool which has been built through our online presence. We are also able to consult businesses on attracting more diverse talent.”
What we say: “Events 101 create tangible opportunities for young people to work in the events sector, try different kinds of events and get some experience. If you want tangible experience of the events sector, this is the place to get it. As well as this, they offer resources including Fireside Chats, and have a particular focus on making the events industry more diverse. Reach out on instagram and drop them an email to find out more.”
Instagram: www.instagram.com/events__101
Email them to find out more here: info@events101.co.uk
Event Academy
What they say: “The UK’s leading event training provider and the only event management courses accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing. When we started out, we questioned why event training is so poorly delivered and why students that come out the other side (even at degree level) take so long to get going – we were all running our own agencies at the time. We also questioned why our Government wasn’t properly recognising the events industry and its people for their contribution to society and the economy?
These questions started a serious itch that could only be scratched by each of us leaving our respective agencies and establishing our own event training business. Only then could we be certain to deliver work ready graduates for the industry and create meaningful careers for the students themselves. Only then could we enable students not only to become the best in the industry…but to become the industry itself.”
What we say: “Event Academy offers courses which range from 2 day certificates to 6 month accredited post-grad diplomas. Their focus is on getting students ready for the working world, and on preparing them for the events industry in less time than a degree might. They also have a brilliant range of free guides which you can access here, on everything from event marketing to sponsorship.”
Website: https://eventacademy.com/
Guides: https://eventacademy.com/guides/
Event First Steps
What they say: “At Event First Steps, our focus is always on the next generation of event professionals entering the industry – and the one objective that underpins all our content is to help bring people in and up. By doing this, we create opportunities and strengthen the knowledge and talent of the industry as a whole.”
What we say: “Event First Steps put on events (Covid-allowing) and create resources in the form of articles and interviews. A lot of their resources have a great focus on diversity and inclusion, and many of the interviews and articles they host involve high profile members of the events industry who can offer a wealth of experience and knowledge.”
Website: https://www.eventfirststeps.com/
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/theeventacademy/
Event Grads
What they say: “Event Grads is a global community and support network for aspiring event professionals navigating the event industry. We encourage support, collaboration and development through community, resources and event. For event students & graduates. By event students and graduates.”
What we say: “What makes Event Grads stand out is that it is created by students & graduates. The content is accessible, comes in the form of blogs, panel discussions and interviews, and covers the needs and concerns of soon to be or recent graduates. The creators understand their audience, and are building an invaluable community. The best way to get involved is to join the facebook group, where admins and group members can post resources, ask questions and support each other.”
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eventgrads
Website: https://www.eventgrads.co.uk/
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/eventgrads/
International Institute of Live Events
What they say: “We are a new international online learning environment, providing bespoke courses, the IIOLE was formed by accomplished academics and practitioners who have produced events across the globe and published extensively within the field of live events management. They have an unprecedented and accumulative experience as practitioners and educators in live events that spans 65 years.
You will be joining a vibrant, international community of professional event managers and students from a wide range of disciplines. with a diverse mix of experienced academics and professional live event practitioners from around the world who will inspire and enthuse you during your studies.”
What we say: “IIOLE offer great online courses, which you get lifetime access to. They also have brilliant free resources including a podcast, a blog and a newsletter full of event case studies and tips which is certainly worth signing up for!”
Website: https://www.iiole.com/
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/iiiole-events
Industry News Outlets
Whatever industry you work in, it’s essential that you learn about it. Not just how to do your job, but what the rest of the sector is up to. The following list contains some great publications and websites that are worth knowing about. Consider having a read of a few of these once a week, so that you have an idea of the hot topics and key trends of the industry.
Conference News
What they say: “Conference News is the leading magazine for the Conference segment of the events industry in the UK.”
What we say: “Conference News is a great source of information when it comes to keeping informed of news within the corporate events sector, and understanding key industry trends. Whilst its focus is conferences, it also covers business events more widely so it’s certainly a mailing list to sign up to!”
News Website: https://www.conference-news.co.uk/
Conference News Events
What they say: “Looking to excel in the conference and events industry? Excel with us by attending our networking events, Roundtables, Webinars and entering our Award ceremonies.”
What we say: “This is the events arms of Conference News, with plenty of opportunities to meet, connect and learn. There Cn30UnderThirty programme is also a great initiative to check out. 30 event professionals are chosen each year and get access to a fantastic programme of events and opportunities.”
Events Website: https://www.conferencenewsevents.co.uk/
Event Industry News
What they say: “Event Industry News (EIN) is an online magazine that provides the latest news, views and reviews of the events industry. EIN is read by organisers, promoters, event managers, production companies, suppliers, agencies, the corporate sector and local government. These events can be anything from a regional conference or international exhibition to a brand activation or major festival.”
What we say: “EIN covers a huge range of events and caters to a very wide audience. As well as the usual news, features and blogs, they have several great guides including ones with a focus on tech, sustainability and conferences. They also have their own events programme.”
Website: https://www.eventindustrynews.com/
Event News Online
What they say: “Event News provides a comprehensive update on industry events as they happen. People want immediacy when it comes to getting up to speed with the latest developments and that’s what we provide here.
We cover all the major stories as they happen and explore industry-wide issues in hard-hitting features but we would also like to hear from you to tell us about your events.”
What we say: “Covering everything from music festival to business, this is a great resource for finding out more about what the events sector as a whole is up to. They publish news and features, as well as info around recycling, catering and more.”
Website: http://www.eventnewsonline.com/
Eventbrite UK blog
What we say: “I’m sure you’ve all heard of Eventbrite, the ticketing platform. But what you might not know is that they have their own blog, where they post tips and articles about putting on events. From ‘how to host socially distant events’ to marketing advice, there’s some really useful resources in there.”
Website: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/blog/
Exhibition News
What they say: “EN is the only publication dedicated to the UK exhibition industry. We pride ourselves on being informative, relevant and a timely source of information and ideas that can help the industry grow. The EN brand extends across our monthly print offering, the EN website, email newsletters, social media, initiatives like the EN 30 Under Thirty and of course, our annual awards celebration.
Every issue of EN is packed with the latest news, analysis and exciting features that reflect the great community EN serves, while our comprehensive website is the key industry daily news outlet. As a result, individuals looking to keep up to date with the goings on in the world of UK exhibitions are frequent visitors to our site. Our readership is the heartbeat of the industry. From CEOs to event directors, to sales, ops, marketing and the many great exhibition suppliers. EN is forever relevant to all and be it online, or in print, is a must read.”
What we say: “Exhibitions are sales platforms, changes for companies to show what they do to attendees, and hopefully get some business out of it. EN is dedicated to this particular part of the events sector, and offers news, feature articles and even a jobs board, all with that focus.”
Website: https://exhibitionnews.uk/
Live Design
What they say: “Live Design is the must-read creative and technical resource for live entertainment professionals in lighting, sound, staging, and projection. Live Design provides designers, programmers, and technicians with tips and trends, news and reviews of the latest gear, reports from the field, and industry viewpoint and commentary. From concerts to theatre, houses of worship to clubs, theme parks to corporate events, Live Design is the leading digital resource for live event production technology, featuring new online content daily here at www.livedesignonline.com, webcasts, video interviews, and e-newsletters.”
What we say: “Live Design offers industry news, reviews of equipment and great case studies of productions. It’s a really useful way to stay up to date and learn, and they have a whole host of master classes and video content which you can view on demand.”
Website: https://www.livedesignonline.com/
simply-communicate
What they say: “we are simply. experts in internal comms and the new digital world of work. great content, leading events, top consultants.”
What we say: “They have three strands, all with a focus on internal comms, which means events and projects that will only be used/ delivered internally . In their news strand you can read up-to-date news, case studies, interviews, and how-to guides. Via their community stand you can become a member for advice, networking, training, premium content, and Europe’s leading IC events. They also offer consulting services around designing and delivering internal comms projects.”
Website: https://simply-communicate.com/
Stand Out Magazine
What they say: “Stand Out is a business magazine for busy events professionals. For more than a decade, Stand Out has been keeping event organisers, festival directors, brand managers and production specialists informed with the latest news, opinion and developments to impact on the sector.
The editorial team strives to reveal how and why events “stand out” by discovering the practical, inspiring, creative and technical ideas and solutions that create such memorable experiences. Regular updates on the latest event tenders and new business opportunities sit alongside behind the scenes case studies, analysis and one-to-one interviews with some of the sector’s most creative minds.
If you are an organiser, marketer, live event agency, production company, local authority, brand manager or not-for-profit organisation that organises festivals, sporting events, large-scale music events and concerts, county shows, community events, product launches or corporate events such as awards, dinners and hospitality then Stand Out is the only industry magazine for you.
Equally, Stand Out magazine’s mobile responsive website is a daily source of breaking news, event tenders, supplier information and industry comment, and boasts a supplier directory as well as access to Stand Out’s archive of previous issues.”
What we say: “Stand Out Magazine is a great resource which encompasses the whole of the events industry from festivals to corporate events. Their news section is a great way to stay up to date with industry trends, and they also regularly post about opportunities. Case studies and interviews are also a great way to learn, and they have a whole host of these. The supplier directory is also a really useful resource, and a great way to find out about different suppliers outside of your usual roster.”
Website: https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/