Richard Allchild, the UK-based Head of Sales North America for IMEX Group and Vice Chair of Business Development for the MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees, has long recognized the global value of the CMP designation. An experienced industry leader and longtime CMP, Richard recently spoke with CMP Today about the impact of the certification, the evolving global events landscape, and what’s in store at IMEX America this October at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
How has your CMP designation impacted your professional journey?
Earning the CMP designation definitely amplifies your credibility within the events industry. With the certification, I gained not only recognition but also greater trust from clients and peers. The CMP shows that you work to a certain standard. The process of preparing for and maintaining my CMP has kept me on the cutting edge of industry best practices and expanded my network. For me, one of the greatest benefits of the CMP is the chance to meet new people and foster relationships through the networking opportunities it provides.
What made you want to earn your CMP designation in the beginning?
As I fell into the events industry and actually studied history at university, I wanted to gain qualifications that were specific to our industry. Being based in the UK, I felt that the CMP was a truly global certification that would help me learn about the industry and improve how I could work with my clients moving forward.
How has the global CMP community enriched your career?
Connecting with professionals from around the world has broadened my perspective on event planning, exposed me to innovative ideas, and deepened my understanding of industry trends across different markets. Through conferences and the collaborative opportunities, you are given access to a wonderful group of people where I’ve built lasting relationships. Yes, the learnings are important but for me it is the people that you meet through the CMP that is the most beneficial.
What do you think may be the “next big thing” in the global business events industry?
For me I think the “next big thing” in the global events industry will be hyper-personalisation. Everyone is looking for authentic, personalised experiences. Face-to-face meetings in the world of AI will become more and more important, but with the new technology that we have available the key will be to make those face-to-face meetings and conferences as personalised as possible. We’re also seeing a shift toward “return on relationship” (ROR) as a key metric—valuing the quality of connections made at events. It has always been so difficult for our industry to quantify the value of the relationships we make at events, but I feel that in a technology-led world that relationships will be even more important.
What can we look forward to at IMEX America in Las Vegas this year?
IMEX America will be back at the Mandalay Bay from the 6–9 October 2025, and you can expect a dynamic mix of business, education, and networking. You can look forward to more than 150 free educational sessions including SMART Monday, powered by MPI, as well as our specialist buyer education for corporate, association and agency buyers. A vibrant show floor where 3,500 exhibitors will bring their unique cultures from around the world to Las Vegas to meet with more than 5,000 buyers to create meaningful human connections and to place real business with each other. With co-located events such as SITE NITE, MPI Rendezvous, the EIC Global Awards and hundreds of networking events, including the IMEX Run, IMEX is much more than just a trade show and I hope to see you there in October!