5
Editor’s Letter
o much has changed since last month, yet it feels
like nothing has changed at all. As the death toll
rises, it feels odd that for the majority the strategy
continues to be to stay at home. It feels counter
intuitive, but it is all we can do to help preserve life right now.
For the events industry, the only certainty remains
uncertainty. At the time of press, we are no closer to
knowing when things may return to normal, or what the new
normal may look like. Speculating without a solid foundation
of fact is both dangerous and pointless.
However, I wonder how you are spending your days right
now? Has there ever been a better time to look ahead and
think about new ideas? Mash Media’s managing director,
Julian Agostini, has been doing just that. Turn to p11 to read
his thoughts in full, but in essence he has a solution for
solving event capacity in what could prove to be a very
crowded Autumn season should events be permitted to run.
Of course, the idea needs some cooperation.
As we don’t know whether events will be allowed to
happen anytime soon, and with the added risk of a Covid-19
second wave, now is the time to take your event insurance
and contracting matters seriously. I had the honour of
hosting an Event Marketing Association (EMA) digital panel
last month, in which a specialist lawyer shared tips and
advice on ensuring you and your partners are protected in
the future. It is essential reading, so check it out on p23.
Naturally, good contracting practice is something that
shouldn’t be ignored, because if it goes wrong it can lead to
some very ugly scenes. As I have always said, as the public
profile of our industry increases, so too does the scrutiny it
receives. ExCeL London certainly felt the brunt of the
national media in April. Our cover story (p18) this issue
explores the relationship between the press and events and
how we should be on the same side. Certainly, if the
mainstream press finds one story that arouses their
interest, you can be sure they will find more. Remember,
how you conduct yourselves now will be how you are
remembered when we emerge from this crisis.
Maybe it is the wake-up call the industry needs, and
maybe it is time the press acknowledged the value and
importance of the £70bn events industry; not just to
national and local economies, but to themselves.
Martin Fullard
Editor
Conference News
www.conference-news.co.uk