Recruitment
Moving
with the
times
The exhibitions world
is changing shape, says
Trevor Foley
fter a long period of
industry growth and,
over the last couple of
years, some significant
consolidation in different territories,
things are looking different for 2020
and beyond.
Some of this change is quite subtle
but it is change, nonetheless. Whether
economic climate, world politics or
even corporate social responsibility
is the driver, there’s a real sense that
this decade will be quite different to
the last.
The big deals themselves are
bittersweet for entrepreneurial
industry players. The bigger a
company gets, the more its senior
players are dealing with process,
data and technology issues, the
numbers and many other things that
do not necessarily grow shows and
communities.
The creative ‘showman’ is at risk of
being swallowed up by spreadsheets,
bureaucracy and the reality that
existing shows in existing territories
are unlikely to keep on growing the
way they have over the last decade. So,
48
Issue 1 2020
the industry
needs
something
different to
deliver growth, and
provide the drive to get
of bed in the morning.
My recent trip to Dubai and
Abu Dhabi provides an example of
what is happening and what’s set
to happen elsewhere. I specifically
mention Dubai and Abu Dhabi
because they are mature markets
that have not had an easy time of it
economically in recent years. It means
organisers in the UAE have had to look
at the wider Middle East, with growth
being found in emerging markets
like Egypt, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
From a talent perspective, there’s a
challenge around the issue that people
don’t want to live in some of these
countries for political, religious or
other reasons.
Also, in mature markets where
shows and revenues aren’t growing,
there is a need to find new ways to
grow through serving any particular
community more widely. This includes
education, training, data, digital and
publishing. Yes, publishing! It’s a lot
like being in the music industry, it
comes around - think vinyl! Again,
from a talent perspective, it needs
different skillsets.
And looking specifically at talent
in these issues, 2020 is already
seeing (and will continue to see) the
best talent wanting to work for the
perceived ‘best’ companies. Those
companies that are clearly ambitious,
growing, creative and confident in
their strategy to succeed. There’s a
good number seemingly without a
good strategy. The best people are
seeing this and are actively looking
to move to where the future looks
brighter.
Being passionate about it myself,
I’m pleased to say that a company’s
Below, left: Trevor
Foley (right) with
ADNEC Group
CEO Humaid Al
Dhaheri and Sales
Director Graham
Stephenson (left)
Trevor Foley
(pictured) is
Managing
Director of
tfconnect,
a specialist
recruitment and
executive search
consultancy for
the global events
and exhibitions
industry.
Whether economic
climate, world politics
or even corporate social
responsibility that is
the driver, there’s a real
sense that this decade
will be quite different
to the last.
view on sustainability is also going
to be an increasing differentiator.
Candidates are now looking for
companies that are involved in being
green, supporting charities and doing
something more than the normal
business operations. Organisations
with clear CSR missions and objectives
encourage higher retention levels by
employing individuals who share their
same values.
Finally, as organisers seek to better
serve the verticals they are in, expect
one or two new roles to evolve in
forward-thinking companies. An
eagerly adopted idea I’ve put to
a couple of clients recently is the
creation of a Partnership Director
role. It’s a variation on commercial
roles that seek to make sure that the
key stakeholders in terms of senior
visitors, key clients and the right
suppliers are on board. This can help
drive real community engagement,
education, sustainability, digital
developments in data and, of course,
revenues.
If you want to understand more
about this or any of the issues raised
here, you know where I am. Have a
great decade!
w w w.exhibitionworld.co.uk