THE COVID CATALYST
Kerrin MacPhie , chief executive of the Meetings Industry Association ( mia ), believes the connection and collaboration of the sector across the UK is getting stronger in post-pandemic times
hile we continue to be exposed to ongoing reminders of the pandemic , as we emerge from troubled times it remains important that we take time to stop , think and reflect on the challenges the sector has overcome over the past two years .
The damage inflicted by this pandemic cannot be understated , however the challenges we have overcome and the way our sector has diversified and developed has strengthened our sector and created opportunities . Covid-19 has served as a catalyst for positive change .
Talent
It has been well documented that many organisations across the sector ’ s supply chain have been experiencing recruitment challenges , with a recognised reluctance from some individuals to enter a sector that was abruptly shut down at the height of the pandemic . The tide has started to turn as the sector reopens and business levels grow . However , the workforce to support this growth remains depleted . Nevertheless , there is still cause for celebration , as many industry professionals have emerged from the pandemic with developed skillsets and , in turn , advanced into more established roles .
During what was unquestionably a stressful time for all within the sector , the pandemic presented a unique opportunity for some to step up . With many organisations reliant on redundancies and the Job Retention Scheme as a means of survival , the versatility of the event professional was pushed to new heights , fast-tracking the development of certain individuals , particularly the next generation , into key positions .
Recognition of these accomplishments has never been more important . Having recently launched our 2022 mia List , we ’ re looking forward to celebrating such achievements and are encouraging organisations to recognise their exceptional talent by nominating individuals and teams for these annual awards . www . conference-news . co . uk