On the frontline
MAY | OPINION
Caboose & Co Managing
Director Tom Critchley
Despite its struggles,
the events industry has
donated its expertise and
resources to the common
cause. Now it needs
recognition, says Caboose
& Co Managing Director
Tom Critchley
T
he events industry is
fighting for its life right
now. At Caboose & Co,
we are uncertain if we can
survive this economic downturn
without government support.
We may need help to get back
up on our feet once again,
safeguard jobs and give us a
fighting chance of survival.
Those of us in events are
not on the frontline of fighting
the virus, but there are many
ways we can prove useful to
those who are struggling. Our
industry is bursting at the
seams with grafters, problem
solvers, forward thinkers and
unlimited creativity, so there
is no doubt in my mind that
collectively we can be put to
good use to make a positive
impact.
The events industry
often doesn’t get outside
recognition for the skills
and professionalism that are
required to put on a show, so
this is our time to remind the
public how resourceful and
adaptable we are. We’ve seen all
kinds of innovative schemes, like
Diana Findlay’s ‘People Powered’
initiative, co-ordinating the
events industry’s skillsets where
they’re needed the most. And
we’ve also seen how adaptable
companies in events can be, with
Secret Cinema’s online film club
and Burning Man going virtual.
Over the past few weeks,
we have seen the monumental
logistical challenges required to
convert some of the UK’s largest
venues and stadiums including
ExCeL London, The O2, The NEC
and the Tottenham Hotspur
Stadium to name a few, into
temporary NHS Nightingale
hospitals. Who provided the
skills to put these together?
I bet event people were
playing key roles behind the
scenes. We can’t overshadow the
heroic efforts of doctors, nurses,
hospital cleaners, caterers,
police, medics, ambulance
drivers and everyone else
involved in the medical response
to Covid-19. But we should also
highlight, at the right time, how
our industry played our part
and utilised our unique skills to
support the country.
Caboose & Co, as part of a
wider project led by Visions
Group, has supplied 40
temporary rooms to the Royal
Berkshire Hospital in Reading
“This is our time to remind the public how
resourceful and adaptable we are.”
to accommodate key NHS
staff, which will operate for a
minimum of six weeks at the
temporary site. As a team, we’re
proud to play our part in these
exceptional times and help
provide a convenient, comfy
place for staff to rest after a
physically and emotionally
demanding shift.
There’s no denying that this
will be an incredibly tough year
for the events industry, but
I think it is important not to
lose hope or our usual positive
outlook. We will come back
swinging and the events will be
bigger, better and more creative
than ever.
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