BEIC Club in Prague: When the world of events comes together to think about the future

# tags: Events , Associations

Last March, I had the privilege of representing iMotion at the first annual meeting of the BEIC Club (Business Event Industry Club), a select group of event agencies from around the world, of which iMotion is a member.

The meeting took place in Prague, a city that combines history and contagious creative energy, the perfect setting for two intense days of sharing and reflection.

Fifteen agencies were gathered, representing different geographies, cultures and realities. But it quickly became clear that the challenges we face are surprisingly similar. Starting with the current global political climate, which is impacting the sector in a direct and sometimes unpredictable way. Increased geopolitical instability, trade tensions and elections in several countries are causing a downturn in investment and hesitation in decisions. Brands are more cautious, planning less for the long term and demanding greater contractual flexibility. The result? An unusually quiet first quarter of 2025 for all the agencies represented and a sense that we are operating in particularly volatile terrain.

Another issue that dominated the discussion was the lack of transparency in some pitch processes. It’s common to see competitions with too many agencies involved, often without a clear briefing or even guarantees that the project will go ahead. This reality leads us to reflect deeply on the value of our time, our creativity and the role we want to play in this ecosystem.

Linked to this, a particularly sensitive topic has arisen: the protection of intellectual property. Anyone who works in this sector has probably experienced, more than once, seeing their idea presented in a pitch executed by another agency, or even directly by the client, without any kind of credit or compensation. This practice, which is unfortunately recurrent, raises urgent ethical questions and demands a collective and firm response from the sector.

The internal challenges we face in our own structures was also a topic that required reflection and sharing. There is a clear need to rethink models, teams and their valences. We are experiencing a paradigm shift, where flexibility, multidisciplinarity and work-life balance are gaining new weight. Agencies are redesigning themselves, some more quickly, others with more resistance, but all aware that change is inevitable.

In the end, these two days in Prague were much more than an international meeting. They were a rare opportunity to stop, observe and reflect on the path we are following. I brought back with me many ideas, some concerns and one certainty: the sector’s problems are largely cross-cutting, regardless of the country or the size of the agencies. And it is in this common awareness that we can find the strength to evolve.

Because more than competitors, we are part of a creative community that shapes experiences, builds connections and brings brands to life. It’s in sharing, active listening and collaboration that we find the answers to the challenges we face, and if the world changes, we change with it!

Together, we have the power to turn uncertainty into opportunity and continue to create events with purpose, impact and emotion.