ESSA’s Membership research focussed our International activity, in three key areas;
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Highlight the credibility of ESSA members, our kite mark of quality, code of conduct and compliance procedures
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Remove physical barriers, building a bridge showing the UK is part of the ‘Continent of Europe’ and going local is not necessarily better or cheaper, UK has lots to offer on the ‘export’ market
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Promotion and/or support of ESSA members who operate overseas by increasing International contacts to create a worldwide network to help members find partners, and understand overseas rules and regulations
To promote these areas ESSA will:
- Attend international events, such as EuroShop, IFES meetings, EDPA’s ACCESS conferences
- Seek to obtain conference speaking opportunities, and marketing and PR opportunities to re-affirm the above
- Generate internal and external PR, to UK trade press, overseas organiser associations such as UFI, IAEE and International Press such as Meetings Review, Conference World etc
- Join relevant international associations. ESSA is currently a member of IFES, EDPA, EXSA and has formed a partnership with IELA Further information on these Associations can be found below.
Exhibit Design Producers Association (EDPA)
The Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA), founded in 1954, is an internationally recognized national trade association with more than 400 corporate members from 18 countries that are engaged in the design, manufacture, transport, installation and service of displays and exhibits primarily for the exhibition and event industry.
Its purpose is to provide education, leadership and networking for the advancement of its members and the exhibition industry. In addition to providing regional industry education programs through its six chapters, EDPA organizes one annual meeting, tradeshow and golf tournament in a resort location for industry members and their suppliers. EDPA holds quarterly board meetings, publishes a printed quarterly newsletter, monthly electronic newsletter and membership directory and also hosts several industry awards, educational surveys and supports the EDPA Foundation.
Exhibition Association of South Africa (EXSA)
The Exhibition Association of Southern Africa (EXSA), was founded in 1980 as a non-profit organisation representing Suppliers, Exhibition Service Providers, Venues, Exhibition Designers, Stand builders, Service Companies and Associate organisations. EXSA, via collective representation, provides a forum for participants across the spectrum of the exhibition industry:-
- adds credibility, status and integrity to its members through membership qualifying criteria and adherence to the Code of Ethics.
- protects the interests of its members, exhibitors and visitors to exhibitions.
- sets standards and ethics amongst its members and endeavours to create a professional image for the industry as a whole;
- provides a platform for arbitration and mediation in the event of disputes between members and/or exhibitors;
- provides recognition to members and exhibitors by judging exhibition stands and exhibitions, thus developing excellence within the industry;
- lobbies at government level on legislation affecting the exhibition industry; and
- provides an information collection and dissemination service to all interested parties, both locally and internationally.
Indian Exhibitions, Conferences & Events Services Association (IESA)
The association for firms engaged in providing services and materials for the meetings, exhibition and hospitality industry (Trade Shows & Exhibitions, Conventions & Meetings, Corporate Meetings & Events).
IESA is dedicated to the advancement of the exhibition, meetings and special events industries.
IESA promotes cooperation among all areas of the exhibition industry and is dedicated to the advancement of the exhibition, meetings and special events industries. Education, Training and Developing competitive Business Skills will be one of its foremost focus and priority. The vision is to raise the standards of services in this segment. Information exchange and level of professionalism shared by members and their customers. This association for firms engaged in providing services and materials for the meetings, exhibition and hospitality industry:
- Trade Shows & Exhibitions
- Conventions & Meetings
- Corporate Meetings & Events
There are four broad sets of circumstances in which it was appropriate to establish a new trade association in Indian Exibitions, Conferences & Events Service Sector:
- The sector needs immediate implementation of codes and standards to ensure safe and aesthetic products and services.
- The existing trade associations do not fully address the problems and issues related to the service providers.
- Exhibitions and Events is yet not as recognized industry sector resulting in no recognition to the service providers
- Exhibition and Event Service providers needs a National Umbrella to safeguard their interest.
International Exhibition Logistics Association (IELA)
The International Exhibition Logistics Association (IELA) is a worldwide trade association dedicated to enhancing the professionalism of the transportation logistics and freight handling segments of the exhibition industry.
IELA is a union of internationally experienced professional exhibition freight forwarders. You will find us at every leading exhibition site - worldwide.
To enable you to concentrate on the construction and presentation of your exhibits, we will look after everything else: customs clearance, vehicle loading and unloading, forklifts, cranes, manpower, packing, translations, storage, on-site office facilities, etc.
You want to make your exhibition a success and with our help it will be.
International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES)
Founded in 1984, with support from the UK via BECA, IFES started as a small association to become a global organisation with 14 member associations representing no less than 1300 companies active in the sector. IFES interfaces with several world associations that each is dedicated to the world of exhibitions.
IFES is the only international organisation dedicated to the specific needs of exposition designers and providers of trade show services. EDPA is a member of IFES and endorses its events and activities.
For more information about IFES click on the links.
ESSA members are entitled to a 200 Euro discount, worth over 25% of standard individual membership fees of IFES – for more information on please email andrew.harrison@essa.uk.com
Department for International Trade (DiT)
ESSA approved as a Trade Challenge Partner of the Department for International Trade
(DIT – formerly UKTI)
This partnership will enable access to a broad range of information and support for trading overseas, including direct access to DIT account managers, online and face to face training and opportunities to raise their profile abroad.
This is a positive step for ESSA, bringing not only tangible benefits to our members but an outward looking move, committing to greater international involvement both through you our members and as an association in our own right.
The DIT replaced the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in July 2016, and its stated remit is to help businesses export and grow into global markets.
ESSA already commits a large percentage of its time and resources to helping support the business growth of our members and for those that already trade internationally or wish to start, this partnership opens up a suite of expert advice and support that cannot be matched elsewhere. It also places ESSA as an association firmly on the radar of the DIT and its regional officers.
This commitment forms part of our growing international influence as an association and to our members who are increasingly delivering products and services on an international basis. Our new website (online Q2 2017) will include an increased international section for members where we hope you will use the facility as a supporting hub in driving your own international presence.
We will also develop regular international updates that will keep you abreast of all current international opportunities, training and support. We will also be looking to work with members to develop case studies and even webinars that may be used in conjunction with the DIT.
| Visit DIT Website | Access Free Webinars | How DIT can benefit ESSA Members |
Upcoming Webinars
Members are able to register for upcoming webinars where you can expect to:
- receive help and advice to sell overseas with confidence
- gain new skills and knowledge
- discover solutions to specific challenges to exporting
- get your exporting questions answered by the experts
How long are the webinars?
Our experts usually present for 25 minutes and allow 35 minutes for answering your questions and helping you find solutions to any barriers you may face.
Webinar Registration for ESSA Members
The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI)
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UFI is the leading global association of the world’s tradeshow organisers and exhibition centre operators, as well as the major national and international exhibition associations, and selected partners of the exhibition industry. UFI’s main goal is to represent, promote and support the business interests of its members and the exhibition industry. UFI directly represents around 50,000 exhibition industry employees globally, and also works closely with its national and regional associations members. |
