What is the I'M 4 Campaign?

For quite some time now we have been working on setting up the Centre for Excellence in Events. The idea came from people in the industry who want to be able to demonstrate that they are professionals in what they do.

When we set up NEO Ireland in 2005, it was set up to be a meeting space and a market place. NEO is a network for event organisers and suppliers to the industry, and can not function as a professional association. After all, if anyone can join (as they can) and if anyone can pay to be in the directory (as they can), there is no status. NEO members and others in the industry have articulated their need for a professional association many times over the years. The Centre for Excellence in Events has been set up to provide these functions.

We have worked on the venture on a part-time and ad-hoc basis over the past two and half years. Much work has gone into the definition of the industry, its sectors and what constitutes the hallmarks of a professional within the industry. We have devised membership bands and criteria, and a system whereby suppliers to the industry who can be recommended by their clients can proudly display this recommendation.

Our primary aims are to:

•  Provide those who work as professionals in the industry with professional recognition and accreditation

•  Represent the events industry at National and International level, producing policy papers, white papers, recommendations. Issue benchmarks, guidelines and standards across all areas of the industry.

•  Develop a Continuing Professional Development programme to assist professionals working in the industry to keep up to date with new and emerging trends, technologies and legislation

•  Operate a system of recommended suppliers, offering companies and individuals who provide goods and services to the industry with an opportunity to demonstrate their adherence to quality guidelines, ethical business practise and professional capacity.

We are also planning an awards system, whereby creativity, originality and genuine excellence in all areas can be rewarded by peer recognition; a tenders and RFP facility; a venue grading system (similar to that for accommodation).

In addition to the services for members, we plan to partially fund the C4EE by developing a range of materials on organising events suitable for first-time or non-professional events organisers. These materials will range from budget templates to venue assessment guidelines.

We hope to work with all of the other associations and organisations that have been formed around the events industry – including SITE Ireland, ISES, the IEOA, AOIFE, AIPCO and the ICCA and MPI. Many of these have relatively limited membership in Ireland, but many passionate and active promoters of standards and networking.

Naturally, to do all of this, we can not remain a completely voluntary and part time organisation. The C4EE has been funded with private funds loaned by the directors to the company, to date, but this can not continue. Before we make the commitment to further and significant expenditure, we need to have the commitment of the industry that this is:

a) the right time to launch our professional association

b) the right direction and the right aims

c) positioned and priced correctly

d) something that the industry actually needs.

To get an indication of that commitment we have been talking with many individuals and companies. We've had plenty of anecdotal support, many people joining the mailing list, responding to the surveys and commenting on the draft proposals so far. Now we need concrete commitment and this is where the I'M 4 campaign comes in.

The I'M 4 the C4EE campaign will run from the 7th of May to the 1st of June. During that time we hope that just one percent of all of the people that we know work in the industry will commit to supporting the C4EE.

We hope to get approval from the industry for not just the idea, but the criteria for membership, and what it is that makes a professional in the industry.

To show your support for the Centre for Excellence in Events, and to let us know that you are 4 the C4EE, please go to www.c4ee.ie and click the I'M 4 button.

Membership information

The C4EE is to be the professional association for the events industry. The aim and vision for the C4EE is to:

•  provide a framework where those who work in the events industry can be recognised as professionals

•  provide a "voice" for the industry, through developing best practise, writing & publishing opinion pieces, regular commentary, event statistics, annual forum

•  provide continuing professional development facility - primarily online, but also through seminars and accreditation of attendance at other cpd events

•  develop an awards/rewards facility - not the traditional awards ceremony/dinner/bash, but a more sedate and realistic facility. Perhaps event of the month section on the website.

•  provide information on working in the industry - qualifications necessary, salaries, typical jobs, hiring & firing, guidance on legal and regulatory matters affecting the industry

•  have a jobs section where jobs can be posted and applied for online

•  have a tenders facility where companies/organisations can post tenders/rfps for events

•  operate an internship programme where we match interns to suitable positions and companies

•  be the central point for all event organisers and meeting planners

•  in conjunction with the Network for Event Organisers, provide a meeting space and marketplace for the events industry

Mission Statement

The Centre for Excellence in Events is dedicated to improving the knowledge and expertise of individuals and companies in the planning and management of events through education and industry relationships. The C4EE promotes and cultivates high standards of best practices while acknowledging and rewarding those who demonstrate professionalism and innovation.

Membership to be open to

•  professional events organisers/managers

•  professional events staff (technicians, admin, etc)

•  students in full time events education or C4EE approved part time education

•  conference & banqueting managers/executives in venues/hotels

•  companies providing goods & services used by events organisers/managers

•  people working in events/marketing/pr in both public & private sector, not necessarily full time

•  professional status – industry recognition of the professional status of a C4EE member

•  access to the tenders and jobs sections

•  inclusion in the internship programme where appropriate

•  ability to recommend suppliers to other members and in the directory

•  member listing made public if they wish

•  inclusion in the awards programme

•  access to continuing professional development both online and off

•  contribute to the templates and articles archive

a. Founder Member

A founder member of the C4EE is a full member who joins the C4EE within the first 12 months of operations – starting on 02 June 2009. Founder members will be entitled to:

• Propose and second new members
• Stand for election to the governing board of the C4EE and any subcommittee
• Contribute to the definition of membership criteria and operating practise
• Recommend supplier members in their application for membership
• Use the C4EE founder member logo on all promotional literature
• Use the letters FMC4EE as part of their qualifications
• Post their CV in the Work Wanted section under the relevant categories
• Respond to RFP's and Tenders on the website
• Contribute to the templates and articles archive
• Undertake the Certification programme leading to a Master Certificate in their chosen speciality

After the 30 th of May 2010, no further founder memberships will be appointed. Founder members will still be entitled to all the benefits as stated above.

b. Full member

A full member of the C4EE is a person who or a body corporate which fulfills the criteria for full membership of the C4EE. Full members of the C4EE will be entitled to:

• Propose and second new members
• Stand for election to the governing board of the C4EE and any subcommittee
• Recommend supplier members in their application for membership
• Use the C4EE member logo on all promotional literature
• Use the letters PMC4EE as part of their qualifications
• Post their CV in the Work Wanted section under the relevant categories
• Respond to RFP's and Tenders on the website
• Contribute to the templates and articles archive
• Undertake the Certification programme leading to a Master Certificate in their chosen speciality

c. Graduate Member

A Graduate member of the C4EE is a graduate of a recognised degree level course in events management. Graduate members will be entitled to:

• Stand for election to the education committee
• Post their CV in the Work Wanted section under the relevant categories
• Undertake the Certification programme leading to a Master Certificate in their chosen speciality
• Be accepted for full membership following one year of full time practise within the industry, or 3 years part time practise.

d. Recommended Supplier Member

Suppliers to the events industry are as welcome as events organisers as full members of the C4EE. Supplier members will be entitled to:

• Propose and second new members
• Stand for election to the governing board of the C4EE and any subcommittee
• Recommend supplier members in their application for membership
• Use the MC4EE member logo on all promotional literature
• Respond to RFP's and Tenders on the website
• Contribute to the templates and articles archive

Other member types:

Student members : Individuals who are following a recognised course of study leading to a diploma or degree in events management may apply to become student members. Student members will be entitled to:

• Join the intern programme
• Post their CV on the Work Wanted section
• Access the templates and articles section

Associate members : Individuals, companies or organisations who wish to associate themselves with the C4EE. To include academic institutions, other professional associations and others.

Approved supplier members : Suppliers to the events industry who can not fulfill the criteria necessary for recommended supplier member status, but who wish to demonstrate their professionalism through membership of the C4EE.

Professional Member of the C4EE :

Have an academic qualification which includes Events management or organisation as a primary subject AND have at least 3 professional references demonstrating at least 1 one years full time or 3 years part time professional events management experience.

OR

Have at least 3 professional references demonstrating at least 3 years full time or 5 years part time professional events management experience

OR

Be a company or partnership or consultant who can demonstrate at least 3 years professional experience and have at least 3 professional references demonstrating client satisfaction.

Founder members of the C4EE will fulfill the criteria for Professional Members of the C4EE or Recommended Supplier member of the C4EE.

Recommended Supplier Member of the C4EE:

Have been in business, trading under their current name for a minimum of 18 months prior to application.

Be recommended by at least 10 members of the C4EE through the online recommendations system

Be able to produce relevant documentation relating to insurance, health & safety, tax compliance and other relevant documentation

Survive the objections period – where members may object to recommending a supplier member for valid reasons. Any objections made to recommending a supplier member will be examined and evaluated by the governing board.

Approved Supplier Member of the C4EE:

A supplier to the events industry who does not fulfill all the criteria for Recommended supplier membership, but who can produce all relevant documentation and be recommended by at least 3 full or founder members of the C4EE.

Membership fees

Individual professional member: 180 Euros per annum

Individual recommended supplier: 200 Euros per annum

Individual approved supplier members: 120 Euros per annum

Associate members: 100 Euros per annum

Student members: 80 Euros per annum

Corporate professional members:

Recommended supplier members:

Approved supplier members – as recommended supplier members, less 25%.

The difference in pricing between corporate members and supplier members is that a corporate professional member will be solely dedicated to the events industry, whereas the supplier members may only derive a smaller percentage of their revenues from events.

An application fee of €30 will apply to all applications. Applications will be processed by the administrative staff, and will be based strictly on receipt of all required documentation.

Draft code of practise for members of the C4EE

Compliance with the spirit and instruments of this code of practise is mandatory for membership of the Centre for Excellence in Events. All members of the Centre for Excellence in Events (C4EE) shall:

1. Commit to fulfilling all prevailing statutory, legal and regulatory obligations both National and European or in such country or jurisdiction in which an event is controlled in whole or in part by a member of the C4EE and which include but are not limited to, employment laws, data protection, fiscal, insurance, auditing and directorial responsibilities as a matter of course.
2. Commit to conducting all business ethically and within both the spirit and the letter of the law and to always act in the best interests of their clients or customers.
3. Implement a fair and reasonable pricing structure that rewards the member and their corporate body (if such exists) for their time and expertise in an adequate fashion and not to excess.
4. Clearly define and publish all terms of business and conditions of engagement, and ensure that all clients are aware of same prior to contract execution.
5. Behave in a manner that respects the rights of each individual and corporate body to fair and equal treatment even when that individual or corporate body is a competitor or in a competitive situation.
6. Ensure that all financial transactions are carried out in an appropriate manner in accordance with legal requirements and appropriate best practise.
7. Demonstrate a high level of business ethics and integrity in all interactions with staff, colleagues, clients and suppliers.
8. Deliver on the highest level of customer service at all times, engaging with customers, clients and partners in an open and transparent fashion.
9. Commit to adhering to the principles of fair trading with suppliers, especially relating to the payment for goods and services contractually agreed.
10. Operate in a manner that upholds the aims of the C4EE and reflects in a professional light on all members.

What We've Been Up To So Far …

November 2007 : Incorporated the company

December 2007 : Set up the Events Industry Skillnet

Jan – Dec 2008 : Got entangled with bureaucracy (Skillnets)

Jan 08 – Jan 09 : Developed ideas, plans, membership brackets, proposals in conjunction with colleagues throughout the industry

Feb 2009 : The Outlook For Events, publication of initial drafts, industry survey

March/April 2009 : Development of the I'M 4 Campaign, discussions with HSA, Dept of Finance and other bodies regarding implications of self-regulation for the industry and acceptance of standards by public sector bodies. Investigation into setting up Objections Committee with academic bodies (DIT, LIT, IADT and others).

May 2009 : The I'M 4 THE C4EE campaign.