MEN to Host Second Peer Support Meeting in London This August
MEN, the newly established peer support network for men working across the events industry, has announced its second meeting, scheduled to take place on 12 August in Victoria, London. The announcement follows the positive response to its inaugural gathering earlier this year, highlighting the growing demand for safe and confidential spaces where industry professionals can openly discuss mental health and wellbeing.
The initiative aims to foster honest conversations, reduce isolation, and provide support for those facing the unique pressures associated with careers in the meetings, events, and live experiences sector.
Strong Response to the First MEN Gathering
The first MEN session, held on 13 May, brought together professionals from across the events industry for an informal and confidential discussion focused on mental health challenges, workplace pressures, and personal wellbeing.
Following the launch announcement, more than 50 additional people requested further information or subscribed to receive updates about future meetings. To maintain a supportive and inclusive environment, each session is intentionally limited to 12 participants, allowing facilitators to encourage meaningful conversations in a trusted setting.
The enthusiastic response demonstrates the increasing recognition of mental health issues within the events industry and the importance of peer-led support initiatives.
Founded by Industry Professionals with Lived Experience
MEN was founded by Robert Kenward and James Hitchen, with James Capell-Abra and Mark Green serving as ambassadors for the initiative.
The network was created specifically for men working across the meetings, events, experiential marketing, and live experiences sectors after recognizing that many professionals continue to struggle with stress, burnout, and emotional pressures despite growing awareness around mental health.
Rather than functioning as a formal corporate programme, MEN was established through lived experience and a shared belief that industry professionals need a confidential environment where they can speak honestly with others who genuinely understand the realities of the profession.
Robert Kenward Highlights the Importance of Open Conversations
Speaking about the initiative’s early success, co-founder Robert Kenward explained that the organisers had no expectations regarding the level of public response when MEN was first introduced.
He noted that the project was not launched as a large-scale campaign but instead emerged from personal experiences and a genuine desire to create a place where people could talk openly without fear of judgment.
According to Kenward, the willingness of participants to attend the first session and the significant number of follow-up enquiries demonstrated that many professionals across the industry have been looking for exactly this kind of supportive community.
Second Meeting to Continue Confidential and Inclusive Format
The upcoming meeting on 12 August in Victoria, London, will continue with the same confidential, informal, and discussion-based format that made the inaugural session successful.
Organisers have confirmed that participant privacy remains a top priority, with sessions designed to provide a secure and respectful environment where attendees can share experiences freely and without concern.
Additional details about the event will be communicated directly to registered subscribers in the coming weeks.
Addressing Leadership Pressures in the Events Industry
Kenward also highlighted the demanding nature of careers within the events industry, describing it as exciting and rewarding while acknowledging that it can also be relentless and emotionally challenging.
He pointed to a long-standing culture—particularly among men in leadership positions—where individuals often feel compelled to appear constantly resilient, strong, and in control, even during periods of significant personal or professional stress.
MEN seeks to challenge that culture by providing a safe and confidential environment where honest conversations are encouraged and emotional wellbeing is treated as an essential part of professional success rather than a sign of weakness.
Focused on Building Trust and Reducing Isolation
The organisers have emphasized that their immediate priority is ensuring every session delivers genuine value for participants by creating an atmosphere built on trust, respect, and discretion.
Their goal is not simply to host meetings but to ensure attendees leave feeling heard, understood, and less isolated than before they arrived.
By fostering peer support and open dialogue, MEN hopes to contribute to healthier workplace cultures across the wider meetings and events community.
Open to Men Across the Events and MICE Industry
MEN is open to all men and those who identify as male working across every part of the events, experiential marketing, live experiences, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) ecosystem, regardless of role, seniority, or career stage.
Importantly, sessions are completely confidential, are not recorded, and are not shared on social media. Every meeting operates under clear principles of trust, mutual respect, and discretion, allowing participants to speak openly in a supportive and understanding environment.
As awareness of workplace mental health continues to grow, initiatives like MEN represent an important step toward creating stronger support networks and encouraging more open conversations throughout the events industry.
