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Event industry news round-up for July 2025
From AI fatigue to international trade missions and wellness-focused programming, July’s event industry news round-up showed a clear pivot from short-term fixes, toward long-game thinking.
Here’s what stood out this month, and what it means for those shaping the future of events.
‘Peak AI’ & hiring pressures in recruitment
A standout insight this month came via M&IT Magazine’s July recruitment analysis by Robert Kenwood, which laid out the sector’s ongoing struggle with attracting and retaining talent. Despite widespread use of automation tools in the recruitment process, agency leaders warn that AI fatigue’ is setting in among job seekers and hiring managers. This is compounded by what one contributor called “damaging interview habits” that could erode employer brands at a time when reputation is everything.
The Q2 hiring landscape shows particularly acute shortages in sales and account roles, pointing to a disconnect between post-pandemic recovery ambitions and the actual talent pool available.
MeetEngland leads European trade mission to build international pipelines
MeetEngland, the UK’s national business events promotion agency, alongside English convention bureaux (including Manchester, Bristol & Bath, Leeds and Oxfordshire), executed its annual European trade mission from 1–4 July in Geneva, Paris and Brussels.
Targeting international associations, PCOs and key sectors such as medical, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and creative industries, the mission underscored the role of in-person diplomacy in driving future bid activity. Local UK ambassadors hosted curated networking sessions, reinforcing city-level engagement and sector alignment.
Head of Business Events, Paul Black, said: “Association congresses play a critical role within England’s business events ecosystem, serving as catalysts for knowledge exchange, innovation, and collaboration across key growth sectors, whilst significantly contributing to the regional and national visitor economy. Our European trade mission enables us to deepen engagement with this sector and support in the creation of new bid opportunities, foster new partnerships, and position cities across England as premier destinations for future congresses.”
What proactive moves agencies should make now?
Conference News published five things event agencies should do in July to prep for Q4. It offers tactical guidance on locking in client bookings, auditing supplier agreements, creating holiday packages, evaluating team capacity and refreshing client communications, positioning July as downtime and as prep-season for the year-end surge.
Read it on Conference News…
Five things every event agency should do in July to prep for Q4
Coventry & Warwickshire Convention Bureau reboots with ambition
M&IT Magazine has reported the relaunch of the Coventry and Warwickshire Convention Bureau, set to boost regional event appeal by attracting new conferences and meetings back to the Midlands.
The bureau plans infrastructure investment and enhanced local partnerships to demonstrate how reimagined destination marketing can alter the bookings pipeline and increase regional competitiveness.
CN Agency100 programme returns for 2025–26
A flagship initiative returned to the spotlight in July as Conference News relaunched the CN Agency100 programme for 2025–26. But this time, it was structured as an exclusive community with a new format including a points-based engagement model, year-round content contributions, and partner-driven events designed to empower the sector’s most influential voices.
The event’s evolution reflects the power of peer networks. As agency models continue to evolve and diversify, so too does the value of collaboration over competition.
MIA’s 2025 conference sets sights on performance and people
The MIA’s (Meetings Industry Association) 2025 annual conference, themed Equipped to Excel. Taking place at The Belfry this November, the event promises a programme focused on resilience, productivity and personal performance.
Speakers include RAF combat pilot-turned-mental fitness coach Sarah Furness, Olympic gold medallist Ben Hunt-Davis, and resilience speaker Dr Jaz Ampaw-Farr, all bringing lived experience on how to thrive under pressure. With ticket prices accessible for both MIA members and non-members, the event is shaping up to be a key autumn fixture for in-house teams and agencies alike.
Chloe Turner featured in Conference News ‘The 70%’ series
Chloe Turner, ICC Wales sales manager, is in Conference News’ “The 70 %” series, which celebrates women shaping the events industry. She discussed establishing boundaries for better work-life balance and evolving DE&I culture, noting that real inclusion comes from policy and mindset rather than box-ticking.
Chloe emphasises mentorship and flexible working as key levers for leadership accessibility in the feature, available here.
View from the EDGE
EDGE Venues’ Managing Director, Scott Ford, summed up the latest monthly insights:
“July’s themes tell a story of maturity. The sector is looking inward, assessing how it grows, who it attracts, and what it stands for. Performance and resilience are front of mind, but not in the old ‘hustle harder’ sense. Instead, we’re seeing smarter growth, sharper strategies, stronger networks, and a deeper commitment to purpose.
“As the MIA’s upcoming conference suggests, the events industry is equipping itself to excel.”
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