Draft:Institute of Event Management

The Institute of Event Management (IEM) is the professional body for those working in the event management sector in the United Kingdom. Its mission is 'to champion and develop the event profession for the benefit of business, education, community and society'.

The Institute offers several grades of membership, as well as career development opportunities, resources and tools to support members. The institute also operates a recognition programme for Higher Education courses delivering event management disciplines, to align academic study with the needs of the events industry.

History
The IEM was established in 2012, in advance of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games - the largest and most complex event management exercise ever undertaken in the UK. The Institute's purpose continues to be to offer professional recognition via three routes – accreditation, experiential and on-the-job training (such as an apprenticeship); to raise awareness of the importance of upskilling to deliver events for business, professional and socio-economic benefit; to support lifelong learning; and to develop a body of knowledge.

Its founder was Susan Spibey, who has spent more than 30 years creating and delivering event strategies for businesses globally. The Institute is run by a Board of Directors.

In November 2023 the Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tourism Management Institute to promote cooperation between the two organisations in tourism, events and the wider visitor economy.

The IEM is a member of the Tourism Alliance.

Membership
After joining the IEM, members may upgrade their membership according to their level of industry experience, academic background and/or continuing professional development, and are entitled to use post-nominal letters after their name:
 * Associate - For anyone with three years' event management experience or an accredited degree or a combination of the two. Associates are entitled to use the post-nominal letters AIEM after their name to indicate their membership.
 * Member - For anyone with five years' event management experience or a combination of an accredited degree and significant event management experience. Members are entitled to use the post-nominal letters MIEM after their name to indicate their membership.
 * Fellow - For anyone with ten years' event management experience or a combination of an accredited degree and significant event management experience. Fellows are entitled to use the post-nominal letters FIEM after their name to indicate their status within the Institute.

Patrons
The IEM has a number of Patrons and Special Advisers:
 * Lady Victoria Borwick, Chair of Visit England and former Member of Pariament for Kensington from 2015 to 2017.
 * The Lord Deighton KBE, Chairman, Heathrow Airport, The Economist Group, Hakluyt & Company Limited, and Chief Executive of the London 2012 Organising Committee.
 * Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017 and Member of Parliament for Leigh from 2001 to 2017.
 * Steve Kuncewicz, partner in the commercial advisory team at Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP.
 * Tim Nichol, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Faculty of Business and Law) at Liverpool John Moores University.