Accreditation in the events industry can sometimes be challenging to navigate – particularly if it becomes difficult to separate fact from fiction. But what is fact and what is fiction in the world of accreditation? Andrew Harrison, Director at ESSA, explores…

When I’ve asked event professionals their reasoning for not yet being an accredited supplier or service provider, I’m often met with various reasons as to why they haven’t got around to it yet. Sometimes I hear they feel there aren’t enough benefits for them to do so, while others say they simply don’t have the time or money.

The world of events can be tricky at times, and we are all busy people looking to ensure our business and money go further. That said, accreditation is there to help people do exactly that. Be it time, money, benefits or resources, the changes and advances in the world of accreditation has meant the barrier to entry couldn’t be lower – and the benefits for doing so couldn’t be greater.

Time

Contrary to popular belief, the biggest investment into your business is rarely one of money, but of time. In our busy schedules, it is often a lack of this precious commodity that prevents us from undertaking new ventures.

When it comes to health and safety, time is naturally needed to ensure teams are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to work safely when operating at events - which is why accrediting bodies are important in helping you to be able to both assess and prove your technical competence when it comes to working on events.

And while there will always be some commitment of time to achieve this effectively and safely, more streamlined processes and around-the-clock support means companies and individuals are able to become accredited quicker than ever before. Many of our own ESSA members for example have reported completing their health and safety accreditation in just three weeks, helping to more confidently and safely carry out their work on site.

Cost

Whilst this commitment can come with some associated costs, when budgets are tighter than ever, businesses still naturally want to ensure a return on investment. And that is what becoming accredited should be viewed as: not simply a cost but an investment that yields substantial cost saving returns long term.

This is particularly relevant when we look at reducing accidents. Just last year, the average number of sick days a year in the UK per employee reached 7.8 – the highest in a decade. Add in the increased risk of accidents that comes with working on events, and this can be even higher for us in the events industry.

Sick days and days off due to accidents cost businesses on average £837 a year per employee, and that’s not to mention any potentially hefty medical, legal or compensation expenses occurring from any accident.

Safer working therefore means fewer disruptions and a more positive bottom line, better reinforced through undertaking a relevant health and safety accreditation.

Resources

There is also a misconception when it comes to resources and accreditation and that is a demanding undertaking. While most accrediting bodies will require you to showcase your business's ability to provide safe working conditions for all, this doesn’t need to be done from scratch.

Here at ESSA for example, we provide companies with numerous templates and examples to help you with your application which outline clear steps and a framework to work through. Historical documentation is also not required, with our templates helping you to create new examples of evidence to showcase your commitment to health and safety.

Benefits

Without question, the main priority for anyone looking to become accredited is knowing how it will benefit their business overall. Showcasing your commitment to health and safety and promoting safer working conditions are two great benefits that come with accreditation, yet it can also provide so much more when utilised to its full potential.

Not only is accreditation a way to improve your business's reputation, but being able to showcase your abilities through industry-recognised accreditation ensures your business stands out as a supplier of choice when it comes to events.

Our industry, much like the events themselves, is built on teamwork and collaboration, and that’s something accreditation helps support too. Along with improved partnerships becoming accredited allows you to become part of a wide community of event professionals, all with the goal of supporting one another and promoting best practice within the industry.

This misconception that accreditation is simply a ‘nice to have’ means many miss out these benefits it provides you as an individual, your business and your wider team.

Taking all of this into consideration, becoming accredited not only boosts your reputation and demonstrates your commitment to excellence, but it can also open doors, give you a competitive edge and, most important of all, it creates trust. With the support and resources available, companies of all sizes should feel empowered to take this step towards greater success.

Published in the March 2025 edition of HQ Magazine