NICK MORGAN We Are The Fair CEO
What will be the biggest challenges for the industry in 2022 ? From the discussions I have had with various advisers , it is suggested that Covid is endemic and we have to manage the disease and not let it manage us . Lockdowns aren ’ t working and have a devastating effect on business and , more importantly , mental health . I am hoping we are in a better position to manage Covid implications on shows , however the supply chain is still decimated . You will have seen the high-profile cancellation of Winter Lights at Canary Wharf citing supplier issues .
After nearly two years of the pandemic do you believe anything positive has come out of it ? Albeit I still believe the Government doesn ’ t understand the operational nuances of our sector , we have managed to drill home the value of the sector and I feel it finally realises we present huge benefits , whether it ’ s for Brand Britain or the economic monetary contribution we make year in , year out . We are the fourth or fifth biggest economy in the UK – depending on which pundit you engage with .
JOHN GIDDINGS Promoter , Isle of Wight Festival
What will be the biggest challenges for the industry in 2022 ? Getting shows back on . We are worried about January and February . Ticket sales stalled over Christmas with the onset
JOANNA WALES Ascot head of venue operations
What will be the biggest challenges for the industry in 2022 ? During our budget process last year three words kept being repeated : materials , labour and transport and , sadly , I think they will be the key areas of concern for 2022 . The pandemic continues to affect every staffing group ; at the last raceday we had to bring in grounds staff from Windsor and Newbury Racecourses .
of Omicron , and the public need to feel safe to return .
What are the biggest opportunities for the sector in 2022 and subsequent years ? Making festivals cashless and getting the internet to work properly in fields under all weather conditions .
The past two years have had a devastating impact on the gig economy and the event day staff pool has decreased , yet the expectations of the customer is that the experience levels should remain the same as they were in 2019 .
We need to work as a collective to make working in the hospitality industry attractive again , and ensure that we don ’ t create a false economy by competing for the staff from the smaller pool . Ensuring better training at venues , creating a recognisable suite of training and experiences that staff can take from venue to venue would change the gig economy roles into the more professional ones that we see in other countries .
Also , we should be ensuring that working at events is made appealing again , taking good care of our event staff will ensure retention just as much as higher hourly rates .
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