Barry Killengrey, CEM currently serves as Event Director for Informa. As a dedicated business-to-business (B2B) professional with 25+ years of experience in various event project management initiatives, he is versatile, flexible and adaptable with a consultative approach towards the needs and purposes of the project ahead. Barrt prides himself on propelling innovative solutions and emerging trends!
Here, he shares how earning his CEM designation has enhanced his professional knowledge, elevated his credentials and enabled him to contribute to important industry initiatives like sustainability efforts while providing personal satisfaction and recognition in his career journey.
How has the CEM designation helped in your career?
This course has provided me with additional knowledge ideas and education to assist me in a variety of areas of event management for all types of events.
Why is it important to maintain the CEM designation?
Personally, it’s to have an affiliation of recognition, regardless of how much experience you have since you are never too old to learn. It also provides a goal to keep for longevity.
What made you want to obtain your CEM designation?
It was my goal to obtain a designation to increase my personal and professional knowledge, but also as personal satisfaction to elevate my credentials.
What advice would you give to an aspiring individual who wants to apply for the CEM program?
To be adaptable to change. Your career is not a destination but a journey, so focus on continuous growth and development.
How did you start your career in this industry?
Someone’s path is somewhat created from their own decisions. I started selling advertising in local press and moved to managing B2B publications, commercially, but that included many in-person events plus affiliated small shows with the publications. This created further desire to work on more events along with more travel and diversity of markets. This industry means that you need to be adaptable, because it can offer many different opportunities.
How have you made a difference with your show or with working with a client by applying the knowledge you gained by obtaining your CEM designation?
One of the big initiatives in my region is sustainability. We are working with many suppliers to reduce their carbon footprint and economic impacts, and these initiatives are still ongoing.
What did you like most about the CEM Learning Program?
The engagement from all different job functions in the exhibitions and events industry was extremely useful in sharing ideas in the group discussions.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
I’m on the cusp of Libra and Scorpio: with a sense of calming, the split star sign embodies “once bitten, twice shy!”
