Interview
“Our business depends
upon us being able to change
our environment rapidly
from one event to the next
but even by our standards
this was a remarkable
achievement and something
we are very proud to have
been part of,” Rees adds.
The vast majority of the
venue (90%) has now been
restored to its original state
with the remaining space
allocated for equipment
and bed storage for the
hibernated NHS Nightingale.
The Government is
allowing business events
and conferences to restart
from the 1 October this
year, under Covid Secure
Safety Standards, and Rees
notes that he is anticipating
hosting dozens of world class
events from then on.
Looking ahead, we ask if he
is on track to proceed with
the events scheduled for the
remainder of 2020? “Events
tend to run on an annualised
cycle so the vast majority
of exhibitions across the
UK have been cancelled or
postponed until Q4 this
year,” he admits. “Similar to
very many sectors, Covid-19
has had a devastating impact
both economically and
socially across the events
sector.”
On the wider economic
case for exhibitions post-
Covid, Rees says that
there can be no doubt that
organised events, from
every sector, will be vital in
reigniting the economy, but
that safety guidance must be
followed, if nothing else to
offer confidence.
“I think the role of our
industry has never been
more important,” he says.
“The UK events industry
is one of Britain’s biggest
success stories. The sector
is worth £70 billion and is
the sixth largest in the UK,
employing over 700,000
people across 25,000
businesses.
“The organised events we
host are a huge catalyst for
trade. They drive billions of
pounds worth of import and
export activity and actively
support the Government’s
Industrial Strategy. In
previous years we would host
400 events, attracting four
“Events at ExCeL alone
generate £4.5 billion for
the UK economy, support
37,600 jobs and drive 25% of
London’s inbound business
tourists.”
million visitors and 40,000
exhibiting companies. Events
at ExCeL alone generate £4.5
billion for the UK economy,
support 37,600 jobs and
drive 25% of London’s
inbound business tourists.”
Rees notes the obvious
negative impact Covid-19
has had and is confident of
adapting.
With the Governmentapproved
All Secure
Standard forming the
foundation for all exhibitions
for the foreseeable future,
Rees is without doubt that
events can operate safely.
What then, is to be said
of the 2021 calendar; with
all the postponements and
cancellations we have seen
so far? How is next year
shaping up? “We have to
remain optimistic about
the future,” says Rees. “We
cannot wait to work with our
clients and get back to doing
what we as an industry do
best: acting as a catalyst for
billions of pounds of import
and export activity, resulting
in investment, jobs, and
economic growth.
“Our customers want and
need to run events. There
is demand for future years
and the desire to get back to
business is overwhelmingly
strong. We are seeing a
steady level of enquiries,
especially for future years,
including 2021.”
As the events industry
continues in an economic
trough, a number of
businesses are looking to
diversify. We ask Rees if
ExCeL has any such plans:
“As we look to the future, we
are actively exploring how
we can continue to diversify
our business,” he says.
“This will include exciting,
new projects that will
raise the profile of ExCeL
while supplementing our
traditional revenue streams.
“We have ambitious plans
for growth beyond our
core business. Our vision
is to make ExCeL more of
a destination, attracting
new audiences, by working
with globally recognised
brands to deliver world
class entertainment and
attractions.
“When the new Elizabeth
Line opens this will be
possible, as we will have
the ability to transport
thousands of visitors from
central London within
15-minutes, right to our front
door.” EN
18 — September