Why be a member?

Appealing to your buyers

There are many reasons why event industry suppliers become part of the ESSA Community.  High on the list is the confidence that buyers have in working with ESSA members.

Commitment to a stronger events industry

Membership is based on the practical provision of support, resources and benefits and at all times a standards led, professional approach is the underlying ethos behind what we do and how our members operate.

National support and Government recognition

ESSA is an official partner of the Britain for Events campaign, endorsed by the UK Government, its purpose is to promote Britain as a world class destination for events of all types.

Driven by standards and accountability

In a mixed marketplace, ESSA members are regarded as conscientious, professional and are kept up to date with the rules and regulations through the associations various working groups.  Their commitment to the ESSA Code of Conduct and ESSA Quality Service Charter delivers contract wins on a regular basis.  The year-specific "ESSA Member" logo is seen by buyers as a kitemark for quality and reliablity and we continually look at ways to showcase our members credentials and new products.  In addition and dependent on your role in the industry you may be eligible for coverage and security of the ESSA Bond.

Making the right connections

ESSA members have approved supplier listing on the ESSA, AEO and AEV websites which means buyers looking to find suppliers will do so

Technical help and operational support

Networking

Access potential buyers at our free and ticketed networking events

Promote your business to the wider event community and network with your target markets at member only networking events ie. AEO Marketing Forum, AEO Excellence Awards, AEO Conference, ESSA G50+Conference, ESSA AGM, Events Industry Charity Golf Day.

AEO Awards free category entry

Your chance to be a winner.

Discounted Exhibiting

Subject to availability.

Working Groups

Contribute alongside customers, prospects and counterparts at our cross association sustainability and connectivity working groups or via the ESSA Stand Builders Forum.

ESSA provides members with a broad range of technical support, up to date rules and information via a dedicated helpline, web resource and email communications.

Your individual goals via 1-2-1 account management

ESSA membership works specifically for you - give us three objectives for your first year which we will then use to tailor an individual account management plan.

Money Back

In addition to the huge profile, networking and support benefits of ESSA membership there is all an impressive range of products and services aim to put money back into your business.

Access to Technical Support

"Its really impressive to see ESSA Technical being so proactive and leading the industry on HSE policies and procedures. It's certainly what we continually strive to do at Enigma Creative Solutins too and it's always a pleasure to collaborate with ESSA and it's team" Julian Philpott, Enigma Creative Solutions

Technical Helpline and Email Bulletins and online information

Covering health, safety, sustainability, operations, employment law and current legislation.

Legal Helpline - Commercial & Personal

Free, independant legal advice available, not only to CEO's and MD's, but every employee of ESSA member companies. Managed service with partners Law Express.

Legal Helpline - Live Events

Free helpline for any legal issues around live events. Managed service with partners Lee & Thompson.

VAT Hotline (free 15 minutes per month)

Managed service with partners Kingston Smith.

Working Groups

Benchmarking and problem solving on operations, event electrics, sustainability and more, together with priority feedback on standards and policies emerging from our sister associations.

Health and Safety Training

£50 discount for ESSA members on IOSH and NEBOSH courses with X-Venture.

BS8901

In house support from ESSA's Technical Adviser.

Technical Bucket

Policy and RAMS templates, tool box talk information and other tools.

Expert Panel

Experience based tactical advice from members of the ESSA Expert Panel made up of Director level peers.

Marketing and promotion

Community

We keep you informed of the latest news, offers and developments via postings on this website, monthly email Wrap communications and campaign specific email Wraps to ensure you have all the latest information and don’t miss out on any opportunities. In addition your press releases and news can be posted on our website which is reviewed by the industry press, and we welcome ideas for your news to be included in our extensive PR strategy which regularly obtains coverage in the industry press (in titles and website portals including Exhibition News, Exhibition Bulletin, Conference News, Event Magazine and others).

There are also potential opportunities for you to promote your business to the wider event community and assist in the overall promotion of event marketing as a unique and powerful medial channel by possible contribution to cross association events in terms of supplying technical solutions and ‘showing off’ your expertise.

Approved Supplier

Approved supplier status on the ESSA, AEO and AEV websites and recommendation for fellow members to subcontract to other members. Your website listing gives you the oportunity to showcase your business by adding your company profile, logo, press releases, videos, details of products and services etc. In addition you may also wish to showcase your company by contributing to ESSA TV.

ESSA Collateral

Access to the ESSA Logos and ESSA Marketing Bucket to promote your membership.

Promote yourself to other members

Via a members-only offer for your services emailed to all ESSA members.

Promoted to End Users

The ongoing 'Use an ESSA Member' PR campaign aimed at your prospects and clients.

Go International

Join IFES, the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services at a discounted membership rate.

Free Recruiting

Advertise for free on our industry wide ESSA/AEO/AEV recruitment pages.

Sponsorium Report

Understand the wider events community via the Sponsorium Report (free for members) and access to other research.

Money Saving Offers

ESSA Discount Card

Huge on-site savings with a growing network of venue partners with your free ESSA Discount Cards for all employees at your company.

Reduced Insurance

With event industry specialists InEvexco

Better Hotel Rates

Group and Independent hotel specific offers

Modular Linx Display Projects

Member discount off your first fully managed system with Alfa Display.

Short Term Hire

20% off short term hire with Toyota Material Handling UK.

Plimsoll Report

20% discount for members off Plimsoll Analysis.

ESSA Member Introduction Scheme

Introduce your clients, partners and associates to ESSA and you will receive John Lewis Vouchers to the value of £50 when they become members.

ESSA Virtual College - e-Learning

We are dedicated to helping you our members achieve and maintain your levels of excellence by investing and providing access to a number of educational and training programs.

Jungheinrich Training Courses

10% off fork lift operators training courses with Jungheinrich Event Hire with ITSSAR (Independant Training Standards Scheme & Register) accredited instructors.

Procurement Services

ESSA has teamed up with the Buying Support Agency to bring you the best costs on everything from utilities to business travel. With exclusive member discounts, BSA could help you save up to 58% on your business costs!

Legal Advice

Free helplines for professional, independant advice on anything from live events and commercial issues to personal legal advice.

Testimonials - what our members say

MEMS International Ltd

We feel it’s important to be part of your industry association both in terms of the client piece of mind it provides when they are selecting suppliers; but also for us in terms of networking and sharing industry knowledge.

C & S Design Build Limited

When the CITB contacted us to advise that we had been added to their register, getting in touch with ESSA was a wise decision and one that I would strongly recommend to other contractors who find themselves in the same situation.

I had a number of discussions with ESSA on how to respond and found their advice and direction invaluable.

After supplying ESSA with information regarding our business mix and identifying that percentage wise we were enough, in CITB terms “out of scope” they sent this information to the CITB with a covering letter representing us as our trade organisation.

Seven days later we received confirmation that we had been removed from the register!

Before the relief wears off, and I forget how much impact this could have had on our business financially I would just like to say a real big thank you to ESSA. It's in times like this you understand how important it is to be a member of a professional trade organisation that really does offer help and support.

How to apply for membership

Annual ESSA Membership Fee 2019: £1,695+vat

(£542+vat for Freelance Ops companies)

Application for membership must include:

• a completed ESSA application form (please ensure that you complete all sections in full)
  
  
• a completed direct debit form (included in the application form).
  
  
• the names of 2 companies, one must be a current ESSA/AEV/AEO member and one must be a client for whom you have worked for during the past 12 months who would be prepared to sponsor your application for membership
  
  
• the company's most recent set of accounts for at least one year's trading.
  
  
• a copy of the company's public liability insurance documentation show the amount of the cover and a current valid renewal date (minimum £2 million)

Download application form

Once we receive your application and supporting documents:

• the application will be posted onto the ESSA website for a 14 day consultation period (allowing the current membership to comment on the application)
• supporting documentation will be reviewed by the ESSA Secretariat (ESSA reserves the right to ask for additional information in support of the applicatoin)

The process takes 4-6 weeks.

• Each member of ESSA receives one vote at the Association's Annual General Meeting.
• ESSA members are permitted to use the ESSA Association Logo and Members Logo
• ESSA members are listed as an approved supplier on the websites of ESSA/AEO/AEV

Applications will not be accepted from a person, firm, or corporation which has not traded and does not have a proven track record of at least 12 months prior to the date of application.