AEO welcomes Jess Hockman as Chair and Laura Shapiro as Vice Chair

The Association of Event Organizers (AEO) is pleased to announce Jess Hockman, Director of Marketing at Informa Markets, as Chair of the Development Committee and Laura Shapiro, Portfolio Director at CloserStill Media, as Vice Chair.

The Development Committee is the key link between the AEO Council and the Futures Committee, focused on engaging the next generation of event professionals and solving the challenges of attracting and retaining top talent. This work is critical to building a sustainable workforce to future-proof the industry.

Hochman commented: “It is an honor to serve as Chair of the AEO Development Committee under Allison’s incredible leadership. We have made great progress under her guidance, but there is still more to achieve . I look forward to continuing the work she started and working with Laura and the team to advance our agenda.”

As part of this agenda, the group will support AEO’s #ChooseEvents campaign, promoting the events industry as a dynamic and rewarding career path. They will also develop and maintain the AEO Talent Center to ensure it remains a valuable resource for members. Through their network, they will amplify the message of the event, encouraging young professionals to explore the diverse opportunities in the industry.

AEO chief executive Chris Skeith OBE added: “I would first like to thank Alison Willis for her excellent leadership of the Development Committee since its inception in 2016, and Jess for stepping up from her role as deputy chair. Having worked alongside Jess and Laura , I am confident that their leadership and passion for developing the next generation will take the work of the Development Committee to new heights.”

Hockman will bring her strategic insight and marketing expertise to her role as chairman, while Shapiro’s proven track record at CloserStill Media will complement Hockman’s leadership. Together they are committed to driving impactful initiatives that support the future of the events industry.