Cover Feature
EN editor Saul Leese speaks to every corner of the
exhibition industry about the impact of Covid19 and
any ideas businesses want to share
T
he impact of Covid19 has been
devastating.
No-one in this great industry has been
spared, whether it be our businesses,
our shows, our livelihoods and our
ability to trade. As it stands and as I
write this, everything hangs in the
balance. Every part of the industry
has seen businesses close and there
have been countless job losses, and the
effects of this pandemic will be felt for a
long time to come.
However, the true essence of this
industry, namely our spirit, has never
been stronger. The way our industry
has come together to share ideas and
support one another is a testament
to what makes us who we are, and an
amazing place to work. Our industry
is built on solid foundations –
communication, and it is this quality
that has stood us in good stead.
We’ve been inundated with messages
from across the industry, from
freelancers to organisers and venues
wanting to share their ideas on how best
to survive. We’ve launched The Mash
Community, a forum for the industry
to share their experiences and trade.
We’ve also created free listings for
freelancers, as well as free classified
pages to try and help those in a more
vulnerable financial position. And every
day we are trying to think of more ways
we can help.
We want to share your thoughts and
ideas.
Rob Cox, founder, West Coast Films:
“As a business we provide event filming
and live streaming services within
the event industry and this is our key
service, so it has had a big impact on
our business. As a company we work
directly with conference and event
organisers as well as white label for AV
companies and agencies.
“Not only have we lost out on direct
events but work we would have done
for others. We were due to fly out to
Bahrain to film at the F1 circuit out
there for an agency we film for, but
unfortunately, that wasn’t able to
go ahead and it’s been one after the
other in terms of events cancelling or
postponing from there.
“We’ve had some events pushing back
to September – November, but I’m not
convinced we’ll be through this by then.
We’re already in discussions with one
of our clients right now about their
event in February 2021, as they want to
take steps to plan for a virtual event, if
things are not back to normal. Sounds
scary thinking and planning that far
ahead at the moment as we don’t tend
to operate like that, but I think that is a
sensible approach as we just don’t know
how long this will go on for.
“We’re certainly advising clients to
start to consider alternative delivery
of their events, such as live streaming.
We are currently using this downtime
to put our services to good use and are
helping our local school deliver home
learning video content to students and
their families on lockdown. We also
have some clients who shoot their own
content and we edit it so as a business
we can continue to work on those type
of projects.”
Rebecca Waterfield, owner, Funky
Sunflower Media & Events:
“I launched the business nine years ago
and I have never known anything like
this. Literally overnight the industry
was sent into a tailspin. Every single
event I had booked in between now and
June have been postponed, and we have
no idea whether that will extend right
through Summer.
“We’ve had ll enquiries for later in the
year cancel before the quote stage due
to this, so cashflow has completely dried
up. I would, however, like to thank all
our existing clients who have chosen
to postpone their event rather than
cancel, as they have all asked to retain
our services for when we come out of
the other side. The kind words and the
support of other event professionals
means the world, and is the only silver
lining we’re seeing at the moment.
Helen Harlow, Director, Benchmark
Collective:
There is still no news on economic
support for freelancers or the self-
employed. With the closure of schools
and educational establishments,
Benchmark Collective
Debbie Lee
Katie Donnelly
Helen Harlow
Emma Armstrong
April — 19