Welcome
So long,
farewell
Nicola Macdonald, Editor
[email protected]
T
his is a tricky editor’s letter to write. How do you find a
sincere, heartfelt, original (and occasionally witty) way
to say goodbye? How do you sum up four years writing about
a fantastic industry in approximately 250 words? How do
people feel about rhetorical questions? We may never know.
If it’s not clear from that rambling opening, I’m leaving
Mash Media after four years working on Exhibition News,
and I’m incredibly proud of what the magazine has become
in my time as editor.
This issue is a perfect microcosm of that. In the cover
feature (p18) we take a deep dive into San Diego Comic Con,
a hugely popular event that has transformed fringe ‘geek’
culture into a sell-out consumer phenomenon.
Elsewhere we’re looking at tech that could transform
event websites (p24), using AI to provide fresh content
to customers 365 days of the year. We also cover a range
of topics that have been at the forefront of the industry
conversation – such as wellbeing, festivalisation and
sustainability.
Plus, this issue marks a significant moment in terms
of how EN is published, as we abandon our traditional
polywrap and try out some more sustainable mailing
practices.
Lastly, I want to say thanks to you. Thanks for getting
involved in the exhibition industry community, for sharing
your knowledge, for growing your networks, for constantly
innovating and never standing still. There’s never a dull day
writing about the world of exhibitions (apart from August,
when you all bugger off on holiday).
So long everyone, it’s been a blast,
September — 05