I get locked down , but I get up again
Getting laid off during a crisis doesn ’ t need to be the end of your career in exhibitions . For many , it is only the beginning
“ It ’ s difficult to tell people ‘ I don ’ t know what to do ’. But someone in your contacts has been through what you ’ ve been through . Staying close to your network is incredibly important .”
he exhibitions industry has , like all corners of the event world , suffered severe job losses during the Covid-19 pandemic . With income remaining limited for most organisers and suppliers , and with government assistance proving patchy and often unpredictable , many skilled professionals have either left or been forced out of their roles .
An exodus of exhibition industry talent is a very real possibility as 2021 rolls around – although , as tfconnects ’ Trevor Foley says on page 47 , there could be some upsides to this phenomenon as well . For those determined to stay in the events industry , new opportunities will open up . It may take three , perhaps six , months before we see it start to take place , but major organisers , suppliers and everyone in between are likely to experience a resurgence of demand later in 2021 . This should lead to new jobs being created , and experienced professionals filling the vacated gaps .
EW spoke to several exhibition industry professionals who have left or been forced out of their previous roles because of the Covid-19 crisis . We heard about the new projects they have been keeping busy with , how they have cultivated good mental health during challenging times , and their hopes for the future .
Matt Coyne was group commercial director at the EMEA division of supplier GES , before taking voluntary redundancy when the company ’ s finances were stretched by the Covid crisis . Since leaving his position , Coyne has started a new podcast for the event industry called Waves Connects , where he chats to eventprofs about their areas of expertise , and how they have been handling the pandemic .
Many , though not all , of Coyne ’ s guests have also found themselves out of work , and so the topic of cultivating good mental health is a recurring one . “ It ’ s really hard to ask for help ,” says Coyne . “ It ’ s difficult to tell people ‘ I don ’ t know what to do ’. But someone in your contacts has been through what you ’ ve been through . Staying close to your network is incredibly important .” Diane Bjorklund is an event professional who worked for Trade Show Executive magazine , based in the US , for 12 years . Before the pandemic hit , she set up her own company - Eventful Management Group . Over the course of 2020 she has been trying to help those who are out of work in the industry with an international exhibitor representation programme .
“ I think there ’ s going to be a lot of opportunities for new positions in roles like digital marketing going forwards ,” she says . “ I ’ ve been involved in this industry and have loved it for such a long time . The relationships are what really bring this industry together , and what people stay in it for .”
All of the people EW spoke to for this article reiterated how important LinkedIn has been for them . Having a large network of friends and colleagues who can keep you connected to the industry is an invaluable tool for those who find themselves out of work . And exhibitions , despite being a sector hit hard by the pandemic , has the benefit of being a tight-knit community .
Mark Gordon was an event director at Informa , where he managed shows including Sleep & Eat , kbb Birmingham and DesignJunction . Gordon was let go from his role at the end of December
24 Issue 1 2021 www . exhibitionworld . co . uk