5
Editor’s Letter
Loadsa money
hey say money doesn’t buy happiness, and this
may very well be true. Conversely, a failure or
reluctance to invest money wisely will seldom lead
to prosperity.
Money is indeed the subject of this month’s issue, as no
doubt our cover suggests. The industry is in the midst of a
skills shortage, as recently highlighted by the Events
Industry Board Talent Taskforce and members of travel
trade association UKinbound. The Government, you may
have heard, published a White Paper on immigration which
said that, post-Brexit (whatever that actually looks like), EU
workers will need to be earning at least £30,000pa… is
that too high a threshold? Find out on p22.
Continuing with the theme of money, we interview
UKinbound’s new CEO Joss Croft. The association is in a
strong position and Croft made the point at its recent AGM
that, in order to achieve financial prosperity, the entire
tourism industry – business and leisure – is going to need
to work together. Read the interview in full on p36.
Money matters continue on p27 as Stuart Wood looks at
the ‘bed tax’ issue unravelling in Edinburgh.
On a final note, you’ve got to spend money to make
money: there are rarely easy wins in this industry. CN
covers places all over the UK, so when we write about a
destination or venue, we must be sure that it will provide
you and your delegates with a deserving experience.
Everyone is quick to tell me that they are the best, but if
they are not willing to market their destination properly
then one must question how seriously they take the
industry. As trade press, we owe it to our readers to ensure
we show-off the best of what the industry has to offer: it’s
a privilege to make it into a magazine, not a right.
The next time we talk, we will (or perhaps will not) have
left the European Union. See you out there in the world.
Martin Fullard
Editor
Conference News
www.conference-news.co.uk