Moving on
2020 , but since then has launched his own consultancy , Mayflower Events . He says he has found most of his work through recommendations and contacts on LinkedIn , as well as a group on networking app Guild called the Coronavirus Response for Exhibition Organisers .
“ My first virtual event was back in 2011 , believe it or not ,” says Gordon . “ So , after I left Informa , and saw that there was almost nothing in terms of new permanent roles , I realised I could use that knowledge and experience to set up on my own . The response has been brilliant . I hadn ’ t really pushed myself out there at first , but now I am . You ’ re my fifth call of the day ,” he laughs .
As well as consulting on how to run virtual events , Gordon is keeping himself busy by taking a training course with the Virtual Events Institute . “ I ’ m using this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve ,” he says .
The benefits of keeping active by learning new skills are also espoused by Duncan Reid , formerly in charge of Clarion ’ s energy portfolio . Reid has just started a new role as senior vice-president for dmg events ’ energy portfolio , after being let go from Clarion at the end of last year .
“ There ’ s a lot of people out there reskilling and retraining ,” he says . “ I ’ ve just finished a course from the University of Cambridge on ‘ digital disruption ’. If you ’ ve got some time on your hands , it ’ s important to learn some new skills .”
The long-term problems Although the exhibition industry is facing a number of very immediate problems , both Reid and Coyne highlight another one which is coming further down the line : recruitment . With the pandemic painting the event industry as unstable and perhaps even dangerous , the existing problem of attracting talented young people to a career in exhibitions will only get worse .
“ There will be two talent drains in our industry ,” says Reid . “ The first is the under 30s – we ’ ve always struggled to attract young talent to our industry even when business was booming . We ’ re going to miss a wave of people coming in at the bottom of the pyramid . The second drain is the small contractor community . Some of the smaller contractors have just gone out of business , and a lot of specialist skills
Duncan Reid , formerly in charge of Clarion ’ s energy portfolio
Matt Coyne , formerly a group commercial director at the EMEA division of supplier GES are being lost .”
Coyne shared the same sentiment , and described it as “ the biggest challenge ” facing the exhibition industry . “ Younger people have seen our industry get hit by an ash cloud . It seems like a very unattractive industry to get into in terms of job security . I think we have a responsibility to try and make it as attractive as possible . We ’ re not just trying to shout about the benefits of going to an exhibition , but also the benefits of working in exhibitions .”
However , he says there will be opportunities for those willing to learn new skills and adapt . “ Organisers want to do things differently , I genuinely believe that . There is going to be opportunity for people .”
In the meantime , what does Coyne recommend for those facing unemployment ? “ Give yourself some sort of goal you can tick off every day as you get there ,” he says . “ Get fresh air if you can , get some exercise , get the blood pumping . Get away from your screens , and maybe even your children ,” he laughs .
“ Give yourself some sort of goal you can tick off every day as you get there .”
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