The Event Industry Alliance Explained: Why ESSA Membership Matters to Exhibitors

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When planning an exhibition or trade show presence, exhibitors are increasingly looking beyond price alone. Trust, quality, professionalism, and recognised industry standards all play a critical role in selecting the right exhibition display supplier.

One of the clearest indicators of professionalism within the UK events industry is involvement with the Event Industry Alliance (EIA) and its member associations. Understanding how these organisations work together — and why suppliers such as Access Displays align themselves with them — helps exhibitors make informed, confident decisions.

What Is the Event Industry Alliance (EIA)?

The Event Industry Alliance is the collective voice of the UK’s business-to-business exhibitions and live events industry.

Rather than being a single membership organisation, the EIA brings together the three key trade associations that represent every major stakeholder involved in delivering successful exhibitions:

  • Event organisers
  • Event venues
  • Event suppliers and service providers

This structure ensures that standards, policies, and best practices are aligned across the entire industry — from planning and promotion through to venue operations and on-site delivery.

For exhibitors, the EIA framework provides reassurance that the industry operates to recognised professional standards, with accountability at every level.

The Association of Event Organisers (AEO)

The Association of Event Organisers represents companies that design, manage, and deliver exhibitions, conferences, and trade shows.

AEO members are responsible for:

  • Event planning and logistics
  • Exhibitor sales and marketing
  • Visitor experience and engagement
  • Compliance with industry regulations

By setting clear standards for organisers, the AEO helps ensure that exhibitions provide genuine commercial value for exhibitors.

The Association of Event Venues (AEV)

The Association of Event Venues represents the UK’s leading exhibition and conference venues.

AEV members focus on:

  • Venue safety and operational excellence
  • Consistent technical and infrastructure standards
  • Collaboration with organisers and suppliers

This consistency allows exhibitors and suppliers to operate efficiently across different venues, reducing risk and improving outcomes.

The Event Suppliers and Services Association (ESSA)

The Event Suppliers and Services Association represents the suppliers who physically deliver exhibitions — including exhibition stand builders, display manufacturers, graphics specialists, and service providers.

ESSA plays a vital role by:

  • Setting a strict Code of Conduct
  • Requiring members to demonstrate professionalism, financial stability, and competence
  • Promoting health, safety, sustainability, and ethical business practices

For exhibitors, ESSA membership is a powerful trust signal. It confirms that a supplier is recognised by the industry and held accountable by an independent trade association.

Why ESSA Membership Is Important When Choosing an Exhibition Supplier

Exhibition displays represent your brand in a highly competitive environment. Poor quality, unreliable delivery, or unclear communication can directly impact your return on investment.

Working with an ESSA member supplier means choosing a company that:

  • Is committed to quality and best practice
  • Communicates honestly and transparently
  • Delivers consistently to agreed standards
  • Is accountable to the wider events industry

This is why ESSA membership is increasingly recognised as a benchmark for trusted exhibition suppliers.

Access Displays: A Full ESSA Member and Trusted Exhibition Partner

Access Displays is a full member of the Event Suppliers and Services Association (ESSA), demonstrating our alignment with the highest professional standards in the UK events and exhibitions industry.

Our ESSA membership reflects:

  • Our commitment to high-quality exhibition display systems
  • Our reputation for honest advice and clear pricing
  • Our focus on reliability, consistency, and long-term client relationships

As an ESSA member, Access Displays works seamlessly alongside AEO organisers and AEV venues, ensuring exhibitors benefit from smooth coordination, compliance, and dependable delivery.

Thought Leadership Built on Experience, Quality, and Integrity

Thought leadership in the exhibition industry is earned through experience, consistency, and trust — not marketing claims.

Access Displays is recognised by exhibitors because we:

  • Provide practical, experience-led guidance on exhibition displays
  • Focus on solutions that genuinely support exhibitor objectives
  • Maintain a long-standing reputation for quality and honesty
  • Operate within recognised industry frameworks, including ESSA

Our involvement within the EIA structure reinforces our role as a trusted exhibition display supplier and a knowledgeable partner for exhibitors at every stage of the event journey.

A Connected Industry Built on Trust

The Event Industry Alliance brings together organisers, venues, and suppliers to ensure exhibitions are delivered professionally and responsibly.

For exhibitors, choosing an ESSA member supplier like Access Displays provides confidence that your exhibition stand and display solutions are delivered by a company that is:

  • Industry-recognised
  • Professionally accountable
  • Committed to quality and ethical practice

That is why Access Displays continues to be trusted by exhibitors across the UK — not just for what we supply, but for how we work.