Opinion
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team socials, not just as operations, but
with other teams from the business too.
What challenges has Covid-19 brought
about?
Working from our homes means we
need to approach things differently
and it has been an opportunity to
evaluate how we do things. It has taught
me how important it is to talk and to
keep in touch. Don’t take anything or
anyone for granted. For our events, the
challenges are still becoming apparent
as the days go by, especially while we
wait for government guidance. We are
working hard not only as a company, but
also with our industry family to support
one another and discuss how we can
move forward and run our events.
What are pros and cons of working from
home?
Working full-time from home has been
a challenge but it is also working very
well, and it has shown us all that we
can run our business whilst all working
remotely. It takes some time to adjust
to being in your house all the time and
it can be difficult to focus when you
are confined to the one space. I move
around the house to mix it up and when
the sun is out I work outside, soaking up
the Vitamin D.
How are you finding and working with
suppliers during lockdown?
This is a two-way street for me, the
contact comes from both sides and with
my suppliers we have been taking it in
turns to check in and catch up. Often it
is not even about work but just staying
in contact and supporting each other. I
think it is keeping us all sane knowing
we are all in the same boat. The
industry is very much pulling together.
Suppliers are also very much part of my
support network. Good relationships
are very important. I am sure I am not
the only one that is Zoomed out, so we
do a lot of ‘back to old school’ calls.
How are you preparing for when events
return?
We are working closely as a team across
all departments and with our own HQ
in Brussels as well as other offices.
We are also working closely with our
industry associations, venues and
contractors too. Sharing information
is key right now so we are all helping
each other to be prepared for the
coming months. We very much value
the support we have had from the
Association of Event Organisers (AEO).
We have to plan for every eventuality. It
is a really good opportunity to challenge
what we do and deliver improvements
across the board.
“Often it is not even about work but just staying in
contact and supporting each other. I think it is keeping
us all sane knowing we are all in the same boat”
1. Beth Kelly and show entertainers at the
NEC, Birmingham
2. Beth Kelly, Amelie Degueldre, Danika
Bacon and Lourda Derry
3. Ops team leaving Port de Versailles,
Paris, after a very long day
4. Amelie Degueldre and Femm Simms at
the Ahoy, Rotterdam.
5. Beth Kelly, Danika Bacon at The NEC,
Birmingham
6. Natalie Campbell in our Twickenham
office filming for an internal video
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