Feature

Anita adds : “ Mine was the creation of group stands for associations and convention bureaux . We also created a competition for exhibitors who could win a champagne reception on their stand . They invited their clients which boosted attendance at the show .”

Duncan Reid is typically honest and insightful and adds : “ Our industry is about three things : great brands , great data , and great people , and we had all of those in abundance . A decade later and loads of the team I worked with are all still great friends , and Maya Mhatre even said yes to marrying me . Maybe that ’ s the legacy , that we fell in love with the sector so much , we are still here and all around the industry .”

Duncan Custerson , meanwhile , has clearly got time to work on his legacy but says : “ 2020 ’ s show returning to ExCeL was monumental for me , having increased revenues by over 33 % and saw us hit our highest revenue since owning the show . We had the best ever attendance and received such positive industry feedback . It felt like a year ’ s hard work had truly paid off ... and then the world fell apart just weeks after last year ’ s event .

Alison Willis

Andy Lane

“ Collaboration has always been key for me and new partners like Delegate Wranglers , Hirespace , Skyline Whitespace , Swapcard , Crowd Connected , 360 Virtual Tours , and London & Partners have all brought and continue to bring value . I ’ m very pleased to have driven the subtle shift from exhibitor party to exhibitor and visitor party . Something that I ’ m keen to grow and grow .”

Jonny , by almost amusing contrast , has a shorter pithy and quite alarming response : “ I almost killed it ,” he says bluntly .

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2021

Moving swiftly on , I ask the group what they are looking forward to this year and whether they have any specific messages for the industry . Duncan Reid starts : “ It ’ s great to see everyone rallying round Confex . As an industry we all know just how hard the last 15 months have been , but what excites me about this year is that it ’ s going to be one of the first opportunities to get together faceto-face and really remind ourselves of what exhibitions and events are really about : the human touch .”

Anita says : “ I am really looking

CONTRIBUTORS

Anita Howard

Georgie Roberts forward to seeing old friends and making new ones ,” adding that her top tip is to “ keep smiling , creating new ideas with your communities . and continue having fun .”

Alison Willis finishes on an appropriate , upbeat and positive note . She says : “ I think the Mash Media team have done amazing things with the show to represent where we are now as an industry , while still feeling familiar . Confex ’ s co-located shows are an added benefit , so too is having the industry magazine and awards to support the whole offering . Plus , they are also good at having fun . As ever , and especially this year , we need the industry to back the industry show , so bring your teams and let ’ s support the show and our first opportunity to be face-to-face again . See you at the bar , as we always used to say .”

And so say all of us . International Confex is a show that never stands still , and in 2021 as the industry – and indeed the country – begins to unlock , we urge you to support the events industry ’ s show . There is something for everyone , but it has never been more important to support each other . We look forward to seeing you there .