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Programme

AEO Conference 2024

The annual AEO Conference brings together key players within the events industry and offers networking, insight and motivation. With an outstanding speaker line-up delivering inspirational, dynamic and thought-provoking content, the AEO Conference is a fantastic platform from which to debate, learn and share ideas that can help shape your organisation and the industry.

 

The event attracts around 250 senior industry professionals from the UK and abroad, from organisers to venues and suppliers, creating an unmissable opportunity to network in a relaxed environment.

The conference is geared towards senior event professionals: managing directors, portfolio directors, SME directors, group MDs, heads of departments.
Please note, the content is subject to change.

Quantum leap: events in the transformation era

The events industry is undergoing rapid change driven by AI, shifting customer expectations and new commercial models.

This year’s AEO Conference invites you to take a quantum leap - to think differently and seize new opportunities.

The theme draws on the quantum field; a space of pure potential, where energy becomes matter. It’s a fitting metaphor for an industry entering a new phase, and a nod to our host city, Manchester, where the atom was first split and a new era of discovery began. Today, we face another leap - powered by data, technology and transformation.

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04 Sep 2025
  1. After the success of the #AEORunClub in 2024, it is back for 2025!
    Join us as we do a leisurely run around Manchester to set us up for the day ahead.

     
  2. Arrivals, badge collection, and welcome refreshments.
  3. The AEO Conference chair will welcome the audience and give a rundown of what's in store for the day. 
  4. The opening address will explore how disruption is reframing the rules of engagement in the events industry. Expect a bold take on why organisations that evolve decisively-not cautiously-are primed to lead the future.

    Sponsored by:

    deutsche messe logo

  5. Phil Soar in conversation with Mel Smith on her career shift from retail into events. A candid look at cross-sector leadership, building trust quickly, and how investment backing is enabling big thinking.
  6. A chance to pause, recharge and reconnect with fellow attendees.

     

     

  7. From Singapore to San Francisco, this session brings together global voices including and Greg Hitchen to discuss the state of international growth, resilience strategies, and what it really takes to deliver high-performance events across markets.
  8. Unlocking better planning, smarter data and confident teams

    AI is no longer a future trend. It’s here, reshaping how event businesses plan, decide, and grow. This session is designed for senior leaders who want to go beyond experimentation and use AI in ways that truly drive performance. We’ll explore how AI can strengthen your business planning, unlock value from your data, and enhance the way your teams work—without losing the human touch.

    You’ll leave with practical tools, live examples, and a clear sense of how to apply AI to the areas that matter most—alongside the principles that ensure its use remains responsible, consistent, and aligned with your brand.

  9. Refreshments and informal conversation.
  10. Piers Bearne, Matthew Butler and a panel of commercial thinkers explore the mechanics of revenue growth in the modern era. From hosted buyer models to media monetisation and new sales structures, this session dives into what’s working-and what’s next.
  11. The traditional trade show is evolving. This session explores how organisers are creating richer, more immersive, community-first experiences-with festivalisation, fringe formats, and content-driven strategy leading the way.
  12. Peter Jones opens up to Ruth Carter about what it really takes to grow a business-and change its culture in the process. From hands-on leadership to letting go, this intimate conversation will resonate with anyone navigating scale and legacy in tandem.
  13. A sharp, strategic recap of the day’s key messages-and where we go from here.
  14. Hosted by Fusion. Raise a glass, reconnect with peers, and relax into the evening.

    Kindly sponsored by

    fusion logo

  15. Great food, lively chat, and a chance to continue the conversation with industry leaders.

     

Testimonials

  • The AEO Conference is an important forum because it brings together change makers in the event industry, I'm also looking forward to networking with some great people as well.
    Raphael Sofoluke
    Founder & CEO, UK Black Business Show
  • The AEO Conference has always been a really important forum, it talks about some of the kind of key topics and trends and certainly as I've sort of developed throughout my career it's always topics around mergers and acquisitions or where the industry is going or the pivot to digital it's always given us really good talking points and things to think about.
    Duncan Reid
    CEO & Co-Founder, Reset Connect
  • The conference was a fantastic experience, truly living up to its theme 'Motivate. Innovate. Create.' The speakers were highly engaging and entertaining, offering invaluable insights into key industry topics. Well done, Team AEO!
    Ian Kidson
    Harrogate Convention Centre

HEADLINE SPONSORS

Event Sponsors

Event Partners & 360 Partners: