NORMAL NEVER FELT SO BUSY
t ’ s been eight days since I started writing this editor ’ s letter . No , I ’ ve not lost my capacity to write , but rather I ’ ve lost my capacity for time . After what has been , shall we say , a quiet year , the past few weeks have been phenomenally busy as I have been out and about attending real-life events .
Since the last issue , I have been to pilot events in Liverpool and Wales , a venue tour in the Midlands , a football match , a panel event at another football stadium , an awards event and an exhibition . I have even had to turn some invitations down , including one of Mash Media ’ s own events ( that went down well ).
In all honesty , I have been caught off guard . When putting this bumper Best of Britain issue together , which includes the Toast of London supplement and International Confex preview , I had to push the press day back , twice .
It got me thinking , are we as an industry ready for the off ? Many businesses thinned out their headcount last year , and now we are seeing a recruitment drive , but will it be enough ? We are still at the enquiry stage , with many event buyers not yet signing contracts . When they do , will you have the personnel to be able to handle the demand ? If you are a corporate or association event manager , are you fighting fit and ready to meet the expectations of your delegates ? Do you have the budget , the resource , the suppliers ?
What with this being the issue on display at International Confex , I can ’ t think of a better place to get your ducks lined up . There are exhibitors for all your needs and content sessions to answer all your questions . And , as a bonus , I ’ ll be there too , manning the keynote stage , so do come and say hello . It will be busy , but you know what , it will be normal too .
Martin Fullard Editor Conference News www . conference-news . co . uk