Programmes

The CEO of AEO will go through some housekeeping, set the tone for the day and introduce the stream chairs.

The session will run in three interactive phases, each combining short insights from research with a practical activity that brings the ideas to life.

By the end of the session, participants will have takeaways and ideas to improve communication, build confidence and collaborate better (and more calmly) to whatever AI throws at us next!

This session explores the art of listening before marketing. Hear how leading organisers uncover the real needs and motivations of their communities – using data, feedback, and empathy, to build more meaningful stories and drive loyalty.

As marketing roles evolve, collaboration and prioritisation have become key to success. This session explores how marketers can work more strategically with sales, content, and show directors to deliver measurable commercial value, focusing on ROI and ROT.

An interactive exploration of what truly resonates with audiences today. Participants will discuss how to blend human creativity and emotional intelligence with AI-powered tools to create stories that connect and convert.

A candid conversation about redefining success metrics. Are we tracking the KPIs that matter most – or simply what’s easiest to measure? Learn how leading organisers are reframing their data stories to better reflect audience engagement and business impact.

As AI systems increasingly summarise and retell organisational stories, digital presence is no longer designed only for human readers. It is also interpreted and reused by machines.
This session cuts through common myths about how AI “understands” content and focuses on what matters in practice: clarity, consistency, authority, and original human signal. Attendees will leave with a calmer, more grounded understanding of what they can influence today, rather than anxiety about opaque algorithms.

Hear how organisers are using AI right now to increase registrations, enhance exhibitor ROI, and streamline operations. This session shares practical, results-driven examples of how AI is already transforming event marketing and delivery.

The CEO of AEO will go through some housekeeping, set the tone for the day and introduce the stream chairs.

The session will run in three interactive phases, each combining short insights from research with a practical activity that brings the ideas to life.

By the end of the session, participants will have takeaways and ideas to improve communication, build confidence and collaborate better (and more calmly) to whatever AI throws at us next!

This session will explore real-world inspiration from brands that use creativity to build deep and valuable connections with their customers. During the keynote there will be hands-on tasks to get involved with, as well as some useful creativity tools to take away.

How innovation-led environments transform ordinary events into unforgettable moments, driving true return on experience.

This one-hour workshop gives operations teams a practical, low-pressure way to explore how AI can spark new ideas and improve event experiences. Through short insights and a hands-on creative sprint, you'll learn how to borrow inspiration from other industries and use AI with more confidence. By the end, you will leave with practical ideas you can apply straight away.

As events become increasingly shaped by data and algorithms, true creativity risks being reduced to a formula. This session explores how we can break the template, embrace originality, and design experiences that genuinely resonate. Our panel will uncover what it takes to build meaningful, cost-effective events in a world where sameness is the easy option, and why the human touch remains our industry’s greatest advantage.

The CEO of AEO will go through some housekeeping, set the tone for the day and introduce the stream chairs.

The session will run in three interactive phases, each combining short insights from research with a practical activity that brings the ideas to life.

By the end of the session, participants will have takeaways and ideas to improve communication, build confidence and collaborate better (and more calmly) to whatever AI throws at us next!

Resilience is key to our success and those marginal gains; it allows us to process knockbacks, adapt quickly and build a high performing mindset. But there can be a grey area of how you can develop it. In this session we'll cover the myths of resilience, the 5 key characteristics of resilience and some tactical actions you and your team can use to develop and maintain resilience.

Every career in sales follows a unique path — shaped by ambition, adaptability, and opportunity. In this session, accomplished professionals share their personal journeys, reflecting on the pivotal moments, challenges, and strategies that defined their progression. From early roles to leadership positions, they’ll discuss how they built relationships, navigated market shifts, and aligned career choices with evolving industry trends.

Attendees will gain practical insight into how to build a long-term career in sales, develop resilience through change, and identify growth opportunities in both traditional and emerging markets.

How AI tools and new technologies are reshaping the sales process.
 

Sales is no longer something you’re just “good at” or not. It’s a professional career to be proud of – one that demands continuous improvement and adaptability, especially in an unpredictable world where buyer behaviour has changed forever.

In this interactive, light-hearted session, participants will have the chance to showcase their sales skills in a safe, fun environment. It’s about celebrating the profession, building confidence, and demonstrating what great looks like in today’s sales landscape.

Are you facing higher targets than ever but struggling to build a consistent, high-quality pipeline? Are deals dragging or dropping out late in the process? Are clients constantly talking about budget cuts and pushing back on price?

This session will break down why these challenges happen and what salespeople and managers can do to overcome them. Expect practical, real-world solutions tailored to media and events, with insights you can put into action immediately. It will be an interactive, high-energy session focused on what’s working right now to drive the KPIs that matter most in sales.

Alexi will share a closing summary, key takeaways, and announce the winner of the sales pitch challenge.