Martin Fullard , editorial director , Conference News , says venues should have demonstrated greater flexibility during the rail strikes

uring the pandemic I often found myself wondering whether the events industry would really change that much when it came out of the other side .

While there is no doubt that the conversation has shifted towards topics such as sustainability and diversity , actual tangible action has been slow to get going . There is movement , but habits and processes are often hard to change . By virtue of the fact everyone seems to be doing the jobs of about three people these days , it ’ s more important to get the event over the line by any means necessary than to rethink and reset – there just hasn ’ t been time . It seems that old habits die hard .

It should come as no surprise ,

Martin Fullard

then , to learn that some venues have slipped back into old ways .

In June , the UK saw its biggest rail strike since 1989 , meaning that no trains were running anywhere in the country on 21 , 23 and 25 June , with the intervening days seeing a reduced Sunday service timetable . Which industry do you think was adversely affected the most ? Correct , it ’ s a familiar story .

“ By agreeing to move an event to another date a venue is putting its client first and in all probability the relationship will remain , and perhaps even become stronger .”

Some organisers postponed their events at a cost , others ‘ pivoted ’ ( I thought we ’ d heard the last of that word ) to hybrid , and others were left with no choice but to cancel .

I took the liberty to speak to several organisers who had been impacted and most told me that they were not impressed with how they had been treated by their venues .

Of course , a venue has bills and wages to pay , and they have every right to enforce their terms and conditions , but given the circumstances it would have been diligent to show a bit of ‘ lockdown spirit ’. By agreeing to move an event to another date , a venue is putting its client first and in all probability the relationship will remain , and perhaps even become stronger . By digging in their heels and charging full price or enforcing heavy cancellation costs , one can be reasonably sure that the client will not be returning . Reputation management and all that .

The pandemic necessitated flexibility , but while we need structure and conditions to prevent event-booking anarchy , surely a common-sense approach is best for all on rare occasions . Occasions such as the biggest rail strike in over 30 years .

I think this is a conversation that is worth continuing , while I have had several conversations with disgruntled organisers , I ’ m yet to hear from any venues on the matter . Does anyone want to put up a counterargument to flexibility ? Drop me a line . CN