YOU GOT THIS
n the last seven weeks we have gone from the rise of Omicron , the introduction of Plan B restrictions , and the threat of yet tighter restrictions to the decline of Omicron , the lifting of Plan B restrictions and a shift in government narrative towards ‘ learning to live ’ with things ... sandwiching the whole ‘ Partygate ’ affair .
It has been yet another topsy turvy part of the pandemic rollercoaster .
The whole ‘ Partygate ’ business hasn ’ t angered me in the way it might have done if it had come out last year . We ’ re talking about multiple organised gatherings taking place in the heart of Westminster , attended by the same people who denied our industry any targeted support , and even denied our existence . The bare-faced cheek of it , at a time when I was receiving phone calls from desperate business owners and event managers , sometimes in tears , begging me for a crumb of good news , that I might know a secret that would reassure them that things were going to be ok . I should be absolutely raging , but I ’ m not . I won ’ t let it stress me out .
The stress of the last two years – how has it been two years ? – may have taken its toll on many of us , but it has also changed our perspective .
Being an event manager is stressful ( so is being a journalist , by the way ), so I wonder how we , as an industry , will handle pressure as things continue to open again in 2022 ? If we can come through the last two years , then nothing can stand in our way .
But we must tread carefully and learn lessons : the risk of burn-out is very real , and you ’ re no use to anyone – yourself most of all – if you are emotionally on the floor .
We have dedicated the entire February issue of Conference News to health and wellbeing and do hope you find it useful .
Through organisations such as Stress Matters and Eventwell , there is help for you here in the industry . If things are getting a little too much , remember that you are not alone , and never suffer in silence .
Your health is your wealth .
Martin Fullard Editor Conference News www . conference-news . co . uk