Event industry trade association Eventia has reversed its fortunes to post a ‘modest surplus’ for 2011 after income increased 23 per cent to £478,401, thanks largely to increased revenue from its awards programme, organised in-house for the first time last year.

After suffering a 13 per cent downturn in revenues in 2010 to £388,568 and a loss of £1,623, accounts ratified at this year’s AGM, held at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower on Monday, showed a surplus of £1,487, with reserves at £28,987.

Despite expenses for the awards programme rising from £96,173 to £253,695, its profit and loss accounts showed turnover from the awards programme had leapt from £15,105 in 2010 to £205,751. In March last year Eventia severed its deal with Haymarket Events to organise the Eventia Awards dinner, following news that Haymarket’s magazine C&IT was launching its own awards dinner.

Treasurer and incoming chairman Simon Hughes told meetpie.com that ”owning our awards outright did make a big difference”. The results show significant drops in consultancy expenses from £38,650 to £7,899 and cuts in travel and entertaining costs had also helped balance the books.

Hughes added that while it had still been a challenging year, maintaining membership base had improved income. “The previous results reflected government funding cuts as the convention bureaux and tourist offices had no funding and we lost memberships. We have worked hard on attracting and maintaining members and improving member benefits.” Results showed that while agency member subscriptions were steady at £63k, partner subscription income had dropped from £82k to £59k.

Membership for the year was at 250, up by 52 since the last AGM, broken down to 28 per cent agencies, 40 per cent partners and 32 per cent overseas, CAPs, destination management organisations, freelancers and affiliates.

The executive committee for 2012/13 will be headed up by chairman Simon Hughes of MCHA Ltd, with vice chair Dale Parmenter of drpgroup, immediate past chair Rob Allen of TRO and Tracy Johnson, Eventia marketing services director.

Voted onto the board were: Rachel Ley, RLC Productions; Graham McIntosh, UniversalWorldEvents and Kirstie McNulty, ExCeL. Co-opted onto the board - Rory Sloan, RPM; Martin Richardson, MCI; Rich Rowley, XL Events and Chad Lion-Cachet, Sportsworld Group. Continuing to serve on the board are - Brian Kirsch, Event Assured; Rick Stainton, Smyle; Matt Storey, Gallowglass; Andrew Wright, FAB!; Alison Ayling, DeVere Hotels Resorts Venues; Emma Cashmore, Axis Marketing Travel Ltd; Paul Hussey, BSI Meetings & Events and Sarah Wright, Sarah Wright Consulting (CAPS Advisor).