Nigel Nathan, group commercial director at EC&O Venues, is the new chair of the Events Industry Alliance (EIA). Nathan, former chairman of the Association of Event Venues (AEV), replaces Brenda Daly, executive vice president (consumer) at DMG World Media UK.

"I am delighted to take on the role of EIA Chair, and would like to thank my industry peers for their support, and my predecessors Brenda Daly and David Metcalfe for the commitment they have shown to this important position,” said Nathan. “It is a tremendously exciting time for EIA, and I am looking forward to progressing our vision to place live events at the heart of modern marketing, and our objective to grow the market for live events.”

“We must build upon the momentum achieved,” Nathan continued. “The EIA research committee is making progress towards creating effectiveness measurements for live events compared with other forms of marketing. This will help us to articulate our value to the wider marketing community in order to grow our market share.”

EIA group chief executive Trevor Foley expressed his gratitude to Daly and Metcalfe for their commitment to EIA in its infancy, before looking ahead to the future under Nathan: "The support shown by Brenda and David during the first year has been fantastic and I know the EIA to be in equally excellent and experienced hands as it moves forward with Nigel Nathan. His appointment will greatly assist the efforts being made by the team at EIA in gaining increased recognition and usage of our medium."