38
Confex
LIVE AND
KICKING
Duncan Custerson, event director of International
Confex, talks to CN about what lies ahead for the
UK’s biggest events industry show
As the event director of International Confex, Duncan
Custerson’s role is to ensure International Confex is not
only progressively profitable, but offers the events
industry relevant networking opportunities, education
and inspirational experiences.
With the 2020 event being the UK’s last major
exhibition before the Covid-19 crisis escalated, focus
has turned to the 2021 event and ensuring the content
is more relevant than ever.
Has the impact of
Covid-19 on the
events industry
changed your
perspective on how
you will approach
2021?
While we were fortunate that
International Confex was able to
go ahead uninterrupted, my
respect and sentiments must go
out to other organisers who have
been forced to cancel or postpone
their events.
The situation has reinforced the
importance of a Plan B, C, and D,
but let’s be real here, this is a one
in 100-year situation, for which no
one could have foreseen.
For 2021, our dates are set for
2-3 March and the optimist in me
is looking forward to being the first
major events industry showcase
back on the calendar. However, we
are planning three iterations of
Confex to cover all eventualities
and ensure confidence in
attendance through various
considerations.
There are 20 tangible changes
we have already put into place for
2021, which you can find listed on
the Confex website under
‘Covid-10 Preparations. I invite
suppliers, visitors and exhibitors to
be forthcoming with ideas and
questions, as we exist to grow the
industry we serve, and
collaboration is key.
We have plenty of ideas, and we
will release further details about
them in due course.
International Confex takes place
2-3 March 2021 at ExCel London
Visit www.international-confex.com
There is more to an
event like
International Confex
than just the days it
runs. How are you
engaging your
audience year-round,
especially during this
crisis?
International Confex has a
dedicated weekly newsletter,
which in normal times offers an
extended promotional channel to
an engaged audience. During the
pandemic I have opened it up as a
channel for our partners to share
information, thought leadership,
innovation, and news, and this will
continue throughout the year.
www.conference-news.co.uk