NOVEMBER | SECTOR FOCUS
What have you noticed changing in
the event production landscape?
The main change is the volume
of events have increased whilst
budgets have decreased or remained
the same. Technical innovation
has also slowed down (which is
a good thing) and the market is
consolidating and honing its skills.
Is the demand for innovative
production increasing? What sort of
demands are organisers requiring?
Organisers have been consistent in their
demands for bespoke solutions, creative
styling and for production that is slick,
beautiful and perfect. There are infinite
variations that can be done and there is
no reason why two well-styled events
of any substance should be the same.
How much does cost come into the
equation?
Pressure on budgets continues to
be relentless. More and “never seen
before” is always demanded and
budgets are held or reduced. this is
the world of event production and
requires the production companies
to innovate to be able to deliver.
Brexit is on the horizon. Production
needs highly skilled crew and rigging
staff. Is there a problem with finding
the right type of person? Is this going
to cause a problem?
There is always a difficulty finding
skilled crew and rigging staff. Same as
40
any industry. Brexit may temporarily an
effect although we remain not knowing
what Brexit really looks like yet.
Training – is there a demand for all
elements of the production process
to invest into more training, learning,
development?
Yes. This is always the case.
How is the relationship between
organiser, promoter and production
service working?
We have always enjoyed great
relationships with great organisers.
Experienced organisers make the life of
a production company more effective.
Apprenticeships – Are you, as a
production company, investing
into this format of recruitment and
development?
There are many skills that lend
themselves to apprenticeships in
event production. We expect this area
to be increasing and increasingly
be part of the future landscape
Freelance work – with the market
growing rapidly, are you outsourcing
more now than before?
The balance between freelance
and full time crew is always tricky.
Increased volumes or events always
result in the need for more crew. The
challenge is whether the budgets can
support the increasing need for crew.
Has the process of winning
business changed for you? Are you
more proactive or reactive in this
competitive market?
We have always been proactive and
reactive. Client response times are
critical and with new entrants to the
market will always continue to be so.
What does event production look like
in 10 years time?
In the coming years, there will be a
reduction in the number of businesses
over 5 years old as they merge, buy and
sell each other. Newer and more agile
businesses will continue to appear
although the ability to enter the market
will become increasingly costly. In ten
years event production will be simplified
in terms of innovation in equipment
and the ability to create something
new and different will rely on styling
and creativity. Clients will have to be
excited in a different way as they become
more familiar with event production.