Key benefits for agents

The most important asset we have as small independent agents is our individuality and personalities, it’s the bedrock of our businesses. The aim of the Alliance is to allow us to continue to work in our individual ways but have the benefit of a strong support network and resource that we can tap into as and when we need it.
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Support Network

Many of us already have fellow agents we talk to on a regular basis to bounce ideas off or perhaps seek advice. The Alliance provides you access to a much larger number of agents both regionally and nationally.

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Knowledge

As individual agents we have a great deal of knowledge and expertise we have gained over the years. However, we have all had an experience where you come across something new and you ask yourself the question “someone must have come across this before?” and you are almost certainly correct. Another agent would have already solved the problem and could help you save some time and money.

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Information

We all receive information overload from venues and destinations. Some of us are better at filing the information away than others but we are all repeating the same work. One of our core goals is an online library of information that suppliers are able to update which is available to all members. Any suppliers wishing to support this initiative should please email info@aiea.co.uk

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Resource

As smaller companies the one problem we all face from time to time is resource, an extra pair of helping hands. This may be to work onsite or just help with some research. Wouldn’t it be great to know that you have a pool of people you could call on that share the same values you do.

Commissions

Commissions are vital to our business but we must not take them for granted. Many of our suppliers value what we do but there are some that would rather see the commission model disappear altogether. As an Alliance we generate a large proportion of the MICE revenue and believe that our views and concerns should also be heard. As an Alliance we have a significantly better chance of achieving this.
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Workshops

We’ve all been to venue workshops with mixed experiences, some good, some not so good. Membership of the Alliance enables you to attend an unlimited number of workshops that are relevant to you and your business. With topics such as commissions, Tax, TOMs, compliance, liabilities, employment law all on the agenda, the Alliance will appoint external experts to deliver small, friendly, educational and engaging workshops that inform members and encourage discussion.

Action Groups

Individual agents are aware of the ever changing business environment but can’t always justify the investment cost to find out more. Action Groups can be an effective way of gaining more information with the cost being funded or shared by the membership. Industry and corporate compliance is a good example of this and is something we will all be affected by, so the Alliance is making this one of its core areas of focus.

Blogs and Notice Boards

Membership also provides access to unique blogs and notice boards by members for members. Sharing experiences and providing commentary that is not available via social media sites and is exclusively for members.

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Guide to Best Practice

Individuality is our strongest asset but a simple guide listing all the things our businesses do well is another key benefit of Membership and helps share ideas and skill sets. It also helps demonstrate the ethos of our companies to any supplier or client that may be interested in working with us. This is not a set of rules, but a unique platform which will be shaped and shared by members.

Annual Forum

Despite our individual and very busy schedules, the Alliance is above all about a united industry voice and through our Annual Forums, a large contingent of our membership plan to come together. Any suppliers that would like to discuss the opportunities available to host or sponsor our Forums, either in the UK or Internationally, please contact info@aiea.co.uk

Diary

An online diary showing all the major events of the year.

Membership criteria

Membership is for Independent agency’s which are privately owned and where the owners are directly involved in the business. (min 2yrs trading and maximum 20 employees)

The MD/Owner must complete the membership application and be directly involved with the Alliance.

Once an agency has become a member each of its employees may have access to the AIEA website.

Membership costs

1 person              £100

2 to 10 people       £200

11 to 20 people     £300

Apply for membership

Please click here to request a membership application form