Independent event organisers came together at International Confex for the inaugural meeting of the Event Entrepreneurs Club, a new initiative from exhibition industry M&A specialist Mayfield Merger Strategies.

The EEC provides independent organisers with a network of like-minded individuals who will be able to meet and share ideas at regular events throughout the year.

The club is a great new initiative for the events industry: not only are independent event organisers driving the growth and evolution of the exhibition industry by being responsible for the majority of new event launches, they’re also often doing so in relative isolation and without the support structures found in larger organisations. The EEC is providing a community for these organisers to share best practice and thought leadership as well as to discuss the common issues that they face day-to-day.

Peter Massey (pictured), Director at Mayfield Merger Strategies, told us: “We’ve realised through conversations with the industry that independent organisers rarely spend time talking to other independent organisers; which is a shame since they very often share common challenges in setting up and growing their events business. In the past we (Mayfield Merger Strategies) have put a lot of effort into bringing people together to compare notes by connecting organisers so that they can share best practice and advice. Key topics might include cost effective registration companies, solving the tax issues of running an event abroad, or moving venue (and negotiating the right deal).

“It’s this idea of linking like-minded event organisers together which sparked the Event Entrepreneurs’ Club (EEC), a free platform for independent event organiser owners and founders to debate trends, share challenges and test new ideas in an informal yet private environment. The meet-up at Confex – in collaboration with Exhibition News – was our first networking event and our next will be the forthcoming “scaling your business” dinner later this month (kindly sponsored by ExCeL).

“We have been amazed by how well the initiative has been received since we launched in January this year. Thirty-five independent organisers attended last week’s launch at Confex and we are tracking at well over 60 club members. Many of the independent organisers that have joined the club are working from a shared or small office space and have commented that they think the idea is great as it provides them with an opportunity to reach out of their silo and talk to fellow entrepreneurs and business owners.

“Judging by the conversations being held last week at the meet-up, they also welcomed the opportunity to speak with the independent experts we invited. We think we are on the right track and are pleased to be providing something practical and useful to the industry.”

It was fantastic to pop into the launch event at International Confex and see the support already behind the new initiative. It’s vital that we promote new organising talent, give independents every opportunity to grow their events and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit that has made exhibitions a successful global industry.