The AEO has broadened its appeal to the wider events industry by attracting financial and business adviser Grant Thornton to its member list.
Grant Thornton director Stuart Sparkes said: 鈥淲e joined because a number of our clients are in the events industry. We were behind Spearhead Exhibitions鈥 sale to Reed Exhibitions in 2003 and helped Simon Kimble with his management buy-out of Clarion in 2004.
鈥淲e would like to meet other event companies and give advice on mergers and acquisitions, as well as other areas Grant Thornton deals with such as audit and tax advice and research support.鈥
AEO director Hilary Lawson added: 鈥淕rant Thornton鈥檚 membership is important as it is an example of another type of member joining from outside the events industry, such as other recent joiners the Telegraph Media Group and Channel 4.鈥