Humans need connections
Lisa Hannant , group managing director at Clarion Events , says while the next two years won ’ t be plain sailing , we are in a unique position to get it right
“ Organisers , venues and suppliers will have to develop their ways of working to become much closer and operate as a partnership , with the customer as the focus point , to succeed .”
It certainly feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel . Yes , it has been a very long tunnel and yes there could very well be some bumps left to come but I do believe there is potential for rapid progress over the coming months which includes a return to live in many parts of the world . The past 12 months have been very challenging in so many ways and everyone in their personal and business lives will have their own battle scars as we emerge . However , one thing that is common throughout is how much we have missed face-to-face contact with one another . And this is why I remain very optimistic that our industry will be back . There is a reason why live exists . We are human and need connections , experiences and the sense of community that live events bring . Our industry plays a fundamental role for our customers and I don ’ t think that is going away anytime soon .
That said , I do think that things will change . We are going to have to work very hard to deliver the value that our customers are going to demand from us moving forward . Let ’ s not forget they have largely been operating for the past 12-18 months without us and will have found alternative routes to market ; exhibitors and visitors alike . Not all of our end markets are going to have the budgets or cash they once had , and this may take time to return . We are going to have to get much better at understanding the customer insight we have , listen to them , be creative and continue to evolve our offerings outside of a single show and a single moment . This will require collaboration : organisers , venues and suppliers will have to develop their ways of working to become much closer and operate as a partnership , with the customer as the focus point to succeed . The same will be true of our teams and our people . It ’ s been tough and we aren ’ t out of it just yet . However , teams have adapted so well , but we are pushing for more , which also means attracting new and different talent to our industry . It is going to be exciting but also critical that we get this aspect right . Without smart , committed , talented individuals our industry won ’ t be able to continue to develop and deliver . So , the next couple of years are not going to be plain sailing but we are in a unique position , with excellent brands , loyal customers and huge amounts of data , which we are getting much better at understanding . Match that with passionate and talented people , a shed load of work , and we have a good chance to get the right results .
Lisa Hannant , group managing director at Clarion Events
March-April — 47