ISES UK has no plans to merge with other event industry associations, board members said ahead of the chapter’s AGM at The House of St Barnabas, London.
Immediate past president and COO at the Royal Aeronautical Society, Jonathan Byrne, told media there “were no merger talks” at ISES, following news last week that trade associations Eventia and the IVCA had mooted a merger to UK members. "We do work closely with other associations, but there are no merger talks," said Byrne. "We have held a joint Christmas event with MPI and SITE for the past several years and that has worked well.
"There is a clear understanding that MPI looks after meetings and conferences and the hotels side, while ISES is the association for creative events. It’s about understanding where your niche is and where you fit in the association market and who you feel comfortable working alongside."
Activities initiated by Byrne that will continue under new president, Philip Atkins of Off to Work, include expanding ISES into the regions, following two successful events in Birmingham, including a SIMVENT, linking ISES members in Birmingham, London and Canada via technology.
Atkins said another key focus for ISES was education, with the association working closely with Confex on a conference in October and seminar sessions at the March 2013 show.
Atkins also hopes to capitalise on ISES’ global membership network, with a call for international ISES members gathering in London for the 2012 Olympics to get together for informal catch-ups as the focus falls on ‘promoting British creativity within the event industry’.
Pictured: Jonathan Byrne (right) hands the ISES UK Chapter presidency over to Philip Atkins
