Event Industry News Roundup
Event Tech Live announces relocation of U.S. Edition to the East Coast in 2026
Contract complete at World Market Center, Las Vegas, Event Tech Live (ETL), the leading global platform for event technology professionals, is excited to announce the relocation of its U.S. edition to the East Coast, commencing 2026.
“By pausing the American ETL operation in 2025 we can concentrate our efforts on creating an even more impactful event that aligns with the evolving needs of the event technology sector,” Adam Parry, co-founder of the show, comments.
Having established and maintained a powerful, pioneering presence in the UK for over 10 years, Event Tech Live is instrumental in educating the industry about the latest event technologies, fostering adoption and learning, and supporting tech providers in connecting with buyers to drive growth. Strengths the model set for East Coast America will reflect.
Building a Greener Future: Spotlight on Top Sustainable Suppliers
In this feature we showcase suppliers who are environmentally responsible and leading the way, check them out and be sure to contact them to help take your future events to the next level.
AEV teams up with Excel London for 2025 conference
The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has announced that its 2025 annual conference will take place at Excel London, on Friday 14th November.
AEV director Rachel Parker, made the announcement, saying, “Our members requested varied location in venue selection, so we are looking forward to returning to Excel London for our ninth AEV conference.”
Jomablue expands global presence with new London office
Jomablue, a global leader in event technology solutions, is excited to announce the opening of its new London office. This expansion is a part of Jomablue’s commitment to empowering event organisers around the globe through their award-winning event management software. Alongside its Australia-based headquarters and growing footprint in the Asia-Pacific and North American regions, the new London office will broaden its service level and global reach.
The UK office will enable Jomablue to strengthen relationships with long-time customers in the region and deliver accessible and responsive support in the local event technology market. The company aims to partner with UK and EU organisers by providing the tools and services needed to bring event ideas and visions to life.
Awards shortlist broadcasts growth and investment at UP
Celebrated for its bespoke solutions and shortlisted for Favourite Video Rental Company at the 2025 TPi Awards, Universal Pixels (UP) wraps for Christmas on the back of shows with Idles, Massive Attack, and Nile Rodgers & CHIC at M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, and the alt star-studded Mark Lanegan 60 – A Celebration, and Kelsea Ballerini, both at London’s Roundhouse.
In its eighth year, the smallest company on the six-strong shortlist, UP, brought the big picture to a vast array of video projects in 2024, celebrated turns/tours from the likes of Black Keys, Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, Green Day, and Thom Yorke/The Smile among them.
Exciting future for Barbican Centre as ￡191 million renewal approved
The City of London Corporation has today approved a ￡191 million funding package to support critical repairs and upgrades at the iconic Barbican Centre.?
Elected Members of the City Corporation’s top decision-making body, the Court of Common Council, agreed the move this afternoon (Thursday 5 December).
The Power of Events launches inaugural Advisory Board meeting
Ahead of its 2 Year anniversary and at the end of the first full year of operation, The Power of Events not for profit organisation has held its first Advisory Board meeting on Thursday 28th November. The extended group of senior leaders invited to join the Advisory Board represent the broadest ever collaborative from across the UK events industry.?
“We’ve quite deliberately invited the most unique range of event leaders as possible from across the 7 sectors, the venues and supplier services base, in an attempt to achieve the most inclusive representation of our industry as possible around the table.” explained Rick Stainton, founder of The Power of Events.
Green Gathering crowned UK’s Greenest Festival in 2024
A Greener Future (AGF) proudly presented Green Gathering with the UK Festival Awards 2024 – Greener Festival Award at the award ceremony held at Document in Bristol last night.
The annual event celebrates the very best of the UK Festival scene and provides the opportunity for festival organisers and suppliers to get together and reflect on the past season and celebrate the amazing achievements of the year.
Liveforce to acquire Reppio as part of European expansion
Liveforce, the event staff management platform, is excited to announce its merger with Reppio, a workforce management provider known for supporting small and medium-sized businesses in Denmark. The merger is part of Liveforce’s strategic push into the European market, bolstered by multi-timezone and multi-language support.
The merger will see all Reppio clients migrate to the Liveforce platform, giving them access to advanced features that streamline workforce management and boost operational efficiency. The move strengthens Liveforce’s position in Europe, significantly expanding its client base and reach.
All Aboard! Rapidly growing Yorkshire based events & experiences agency Build the Bandwagon expands their team
Build the Bandwagon, a forward thinking events and experience agency with a challenger mindset announced today the appointment of 2 new senior hires. Katie Ramsden will join in the position of Head of Events and Operations and Darcy Worcester joins as a Senior Project Manager. Katie and Darcy join the team to further support the business during its next stage of exciting growth.
Becca McCreath, Managing Director said:
“When you find talent like this you do everything within your power to make it happen and I am absolutely delighted to have both Darcy and Katie joining the team. We are on an exciting growth trajectory and with these 2 new roles we are further building our in-house team to help our clients deliver game changing events and experiences, which create genuine change.
Jo Austin takes on new sustainability role for Lime Venue Portfolio & Levy
Lime Venue Portfolio is delighted to announce that Jo Austin, currently serving as Sales Director, has taken on an additional leadership role as the new Conference & Events Sustainability Lead for?Compass Group UK&I.
This dual position underscores Jo’s dedication to driving event sustainability, leveraging her extensive experience and standing as one of the most recognised faces in the UK meetings and events industry.
Clarion Events North America promotes Liz Irving to CEO
Clarion Events North America is proud to announce the promotion of?Liz Irving to CEO, recognising her exceptional leadership, transformative vision, and deep commitment to fostering business growth and industry collaboration.
As President of Clarion Events North America, Irving has played a pivotal role in positioning the business for success by driving strategic initiatives that unlock new revenue streams and open doors to transformative business opportunities. Under her leadership, the division has achieved strong growth, driven innovation, and has embedded a customer first operating model.
Multi-million-pound boost to the Sheffield economy thanks to Tramlines and Tramlines Fringe
This year’s Tramlines Music Festival and The Fringe at Tramlines provided a combined ￡7.3 million boost to the city’s economy.
Tramlines is one of the UK’s longest running, city-based music festivals and a highlight in Sheffield’s year-round calendar of events and festivals.
Melton Mowbray Town Estate launches first music festival (and the town’s largest event to date)
Melton Mowbray Town Estate has announced its first live music festival: Melton SKA Fest, 26 July 2025. Melton SKA Fest will be the largest event of its kind to be held in the Leicestershire market town and is billed as a one-day festival of SKA, 2Tone and Reggae music in the park. Organised by the Town Estate’s CEO, Dean Rees and aimed squarely at a family audience, the festival features a line-up of the UK’s leading Ska and 2Tone bands, a funfair, a range of children’s entertainment, live DJs, live streaming, and plenty of food, drink, music, and merchandise for sale.
Since his appointment in April, and with his extensive experience in venue management and event organisation, Rees is redefining Melton Mowbray’s offering as an event venue in line with the Purple Guide, meaning the Town Estate is now able to accommodate a wide range of outdoor events like music festivals, pageants, fairs, and open-air markets. The launch of Melton SKA Fest signals a major change in how the Town Estate approaches events and the use of its parks.