WEATHERING THE STORM
rawing on how the UK and Ireland were battered by 122mph winds during Storm Eunice might be a strange way to kick-off a Conference News issue centred around the two nations . But I think it ’ s quite fitting , even symbolic , given what ’ s happened to our events industry these past two years .
Take The O2 Arena for instance , the venue saw part of its roof ripped off , shows cancelled and was forced to close . What happens next ? The arena announces it will reopen just days later , with affected events already rescheduled .
It ’ s this kind of resilience that makes both the UK and Ireland unique . The markets are connected and thus have access to a best-in-class supply chain , but more than that : there is a network of events professionals that set the bar for organisations the world over . This has been demonstrated over the pandemic : the industry has adapted and in some cases even thrived , and it ’ s these qualities which set our industry apart .
In that spirit , this issue of Conference News will highlight venues such as ICC Wales and Aberdeen ’ s P & J Live , city destinations like Belfast and Glasgow , entire nations like Scotland and the Republic of Ireland , and organisations like ABPCO and Diversity Ally .
If you ’ re reading this at International Confex 2022 , you are likely already aware of the quality of the UK ’ s and Ireland ’ s events industry , because you are rubbing shoulders with the best of them . There ’ s no better place to find out just how far our industry ’ s reach spreads , if you happen to catch me or the Conference News team at the show , do say hello .
The industry is back , and those organisers looking to place their events in the UK or Ireland are spoilt for choice . The gloomy clouds of Covid and the gales of Eunice are lifting , time to make hay while the sun shines .
Cameron Roberts Digital and Community Editor Conference News www . conference-news . co . uk