It ’ s not all corporate meetings and conferences for Searcys , however , it also is taking part in International Women ’ s Day . By partnering with the Institute of Directors on a sustainable fashion show , the venue collection continues its tradition of championing women in the business
“ We ’ re celebrating International Women ’ s Day , they ’ re an important piece of the puzzle . We started working with the Institute of directors last year , they have a female CEO , who ’ s called Esther Teeken . We ’ re collaborating with an event , which is being held at 116 Pall Mall , that aims to champion women and sustainability .”
What ’ s changed ? Beyond a returning confidence in the events industry , Searcys has changed the way it approaches clients and creates bookings to respond to a growing need to adapt to survive , according to Hawkes .
She says : “ I think that we ’ ve had to look at the way that we sell and our flexibility . We ’ ve written Covid-19 clauses into our terms and conditions that give people confidence in terms of needing to postpone if restrictions come back .
“ We are trying to operate quite a flexible approach in terms of giving people the confidence that if they have to cancel , they can . We ’ ll be as flexible as we can in terms of accommodating them at another time , which I think is what people are really looking for because of the uncertainty .”
Of course , it wouldn ’ t be post-pandemic events without talking about hybrid options , with a wealth of venues on offer .
Hawkes detailed how different venues have different capabilities . While some , like One Moorgate place , have AV inbuilt , others , like The View Royal College of Surgeons , has the capacity for organisers to bring in their own equipment .
Highlighting the need for venues to be aware of hybrid events , Hawkes says : “ We do get a lot of people asking for hybrid . I think that it ’ s one of those things that ’ s probably around to stay now .
“ I think we are seeing a move off complete virtual into a hybrid arrangement . It ’ s not non-negotiable these days in terms of what you do . So , we have a variety of different sites .” CN www . conference-news . co . uk