One of the key initiatives the chapter will be addressing over the coming year will be to spearhead a US born event industry qualification CSEP (Certification for the Special Event Professional). Established in 1993, the CSEP program was developed to increase the recognition of professional growth and identify members who have demonstrated proficiency in all components of the special events industry. The qualification has been adapted to suit a European audience and the objective is to roll it out to the membership once a pilot has been undertaken with the board. Richard also discussed the chapter’s ambitions for the development of the association regionally in particular the creation of a branch of ISES UK in Scotland where a committee of industry professionals led by well respected Scottish agency heads Fran McIntyre QD Events and Oli Norman founder of DaDa. Their initial task will be to commence events in Glasgow and Edinburgh to raise awareness and encourage membership growth in the region. Other new initiatives include a series of new ‘properties’ which underpin the ISES brand and its event programme, whilst maintaining the good balance of education and entertainment in interesting locations that ISES is renowned for. These include: • ISESTalks, high quality education from thought-provoking industry speakers;
• ISESForums, following on from the success of the ‘London Future Forum’ ISES UK are planning to roll out a similar forum later this year;
• ISESMeets, following in the footsteps of ISES Meet the Market which saw a successful partnership with Confex and Visit London; and
• ISESPowerHours providing member access to “can’t buy experiences” such as backstage tours at major concerts two hours before opening. Joining the associations Council of Advisors to the board will be Duncan Reid from UBM and Sarah Wright from Barclays. Duncan and Sarah will be joining ongoing Advisors Kim Myhre, David Hornby, Dr Joe Goldblatt and Robert Wright. |
