As National Apprenticeship Week (7-13 February) kicks off, Andrew Harrison, director of the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), discusses why the sector needs to do more to attract the next generation and address the ongoing talent shortage.

The Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP) has today elected Chris Skeith OBE, currently Director of EIA – representing AEO/AEV/ESSA, as its new Chair. The appointment, which takes place with immediate effect, will see Chris take up the role on a two-year term taking over from Simon Hughes, who moves into the role of Immediate Past Chair.

The Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA) has appointed a dedicated project manager to drive its working groups, member projects and services, while continuing its commitment to raising health and safety standards across the sector.  

Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA) has launched the ESSA Individual Induction, the first in a series of certificated training courses for its members with a focus on health and safety.

The winners of ESSA annual awards were revealed last week, as leading figures gathered to celebrate excellence in the sector.

Figureheads from the event suppliers and services sector reunited face-to-face after a year’s hiatus at the ESSA annual conference and awards ceremony.

Specialist event insurance company InEvexco has stepped forward to support ESSA members with a flexible approach to insurance that is tailored to the events industry, now that there is a clearer path out of lockdown and into the future.

“We are in unprecedented times where normal business isn’t really normal, and where everything will have to adapt,” explains InEvexco managing director, Mark Clayton. “And that also includes insurance policies for businesses operating in the event industry.”

InEvexco is rolling out a programme of flexible insurance policies that correlate more directly with the business on the books, it takes into account the volume of work in hand and how that will increase as the industry unlocks.

“Matching insurance policies to the risk at that moment is critical if we are to see the industry get back on its feet and kickstart the economy. Being underinsured is arguably more  damaging than being overinsured so we are launching a programme of flexibility where we will work with our clients and the insurer to match policy and premium to trade, risk and exposure. We don’t want our clients to sacrifice important cover to achieve a false saving so we will aid customers to hold relevant insurance with an appreciation of the sectors likely exit of these dark times.  They will not be paying for cover that they will not need at the moment but we will also work with them to make sure that as business  returns they remain covered for the increase in exposure,” added Clayton.

Luke Facey, managing director of Alfa Display Limited applauded the initiative, “We’ve had such a period of uncertainty over the last year and a half, having to reduce business costs and adapt to jobs being postponed or cancelled at a moment’s notice. Now that we are starting to grow back again, it’s been critical to have the support of an insurance broker that understands our industry, and enables flexibility in our insurance. 

Discounted rates available to ESSA members for vehicles under 3.5 tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) represent approximately 46% - 47% discount off standard rates through AA.

Stress Matters, in partnership with multidisciplinary researchers from the University of Hertfordshire and Walters Research and Consulting have published the results of their latest research study into the wellbeing and mental health of eventprofs to celebrate World Mental Health Day (10th October 2021).

ESSA dedicated Member to Member Zooms are moving to once a month in a fixed position, the last Thursday of each month. 

The ESSA has welcomed Jane Whitaker of High Flying Events Crew Ltd to the association today, the first to join at the new Individual level of membership, announced at the ESSA AGM earlier this year.

Our sister association, AEO, is throwing a party for their 100th anniversary. As an AEV/ESSA member, not only can you attend at a special rate but you can also submit entries to the Classic Awards, for free!

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ABOUT ESSA

The Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA) is a trade body representing the very best contractors and suppliers of goods and services to the UK’s thriving events industry.

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ESSA
119 High Street
Berkhamsted
Herts HP4 2DJ

Tel: 01442 285812

info@essa.uk.com

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