18
Cover Story
Martin Fullard looks back at a
turbulent month for the events
industry, but is buoyed by the
sense of unity the industry has
shown in the face of Covid19.
Time makes fools of us all. It is
scarcely believable that what
started as a seemingly (at the
time) knee-jerk reaction with
the cancellation of Mobile World
Congress only a month ago, has
escalated into a situation that
sees us all confined to our
homes in the first enforced
public lockdown in history. It is a
piece of dystopian fiction many
never thought we would ever
experience.
The Covid19 crisis has
brought the world to its knees.
Mother Nature has reminded us
that when she wants to give us
a good kicking, she will.
What is important to reaffirm
is that the events industry is
united in the view that the
health and safety of the public
is the number one priority, and
that all reasonable measures
should be taken to preserve life.
However, the industry (perhaps
more than others) has literally
shut down almost in its entirety
for an as-yet unspecified
duration, and there remains a
risk it will yet put many out of
business and many more out of
work.
Event professionals in every
corner of the industry and at
every stage along the supply
chain have been
understandably anxious about
event cancellations and
postponements, and whether
these events will be able to run
at all in 2020. They have just
cause to be. The ramifications
of cancellation can put people
out of business. It is estimated
that the UK’s £70bn events
industry directly employs
somewhere in the region
700,000 people.
Then there are those who
indirectly benefit from the
industry, such as those in
hospitality, leisure tourism, food
and beverage, and even
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transport. Not to mention the
towns, cities and regions whose
local economies utterly rely on
events. It is a reminder of just
how valuable this industry is.
The events industry has
struggled with a clear identity in
the face of both the
government and the public for
years. The perception that the
events ‘industry’ only serves
festivals and weddings is
incorrect. Meetings,
incentive travel,
conferences,
exhibitions and
outdoor events
are all crucial
in supporting
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