t ’ s perverse to know that while the events sector is seriously struggling with the Covid situation , other sectors of the economy are hugely benefitting from the global pandemic – think tech , food , and even the motor trade , as people move from air and rail travel to the roads .

The latest , and most plausible to date , of the conspiracy theories , is that it suits the tech giants to keep us in this situation because they are all growing while we have to remain remote from our offices , meetings and events .

It is equally perverse that the global economy is being broken by seemingly paralysed governments despite the fact that , even with resurgent infection levels , most people ’ s symptoms are milder than that of a common cold and , in most countries , very few people are now dying from the virus , let alone needing hospitalisation .

The ‘ don ’ t know ’ factor for our industry is what is crippling us and is seeing a huge attrition of talent to

other sectors . ‘ Our people ’ need to earn money and so they are having to look elsewhere . Many of these people want to come back and will hope to do so when they can .

In the meantime , whether our industry-grown talent has gone to other sectors for work and income , or whether still out of work , we must support them .

So many in our industry are trying to help those who have lost their roles . The associations are working hard and the industry media ( including the publishers of EW ). Some are offering support with mental health issues , some of those have lost their roles are pulling together proposed events or podcasts and there is so much more . The fact is , there is so much that needs to be done to support the hundreds , actually thousands , who have lost their roles , that it can seem that it is a hopeless exercise . However , that is to be defeatist . tfconnect and ESP Recruitment have been looking at a contribution to this issue that not only engages and seeks the support of the

tfconnect / ESP is seeking donations for its New Model Army initiatives from organisers , venues and contractors wishing to support it . Contact : foley @ tfconnect . co . uk for more information .

Right : Trevor Foley

industry ’ s organisers , venues and contractors , but offers a return on investment for that support . We are calling it the ‘ New Model Army ’.

Whenever a return to the business of events is possible , it will be under a new model - freelance , contract and temporary roles rather than full-time in many early instances . Moreover , there will be an army of people who need to be ready , in a different way , to meet this challenge .

We are looking to contribute to a range of services from CV and interview support , to advice on setting up as self-employed , and helping to keep as many engaged with the industry in the meantime . It is important to assist upskilling and create a shop window to facilitate the coming together of people and roles when the need arises , as it surely will .

We have witnessed so much talent being lost from brilliant businesses AND the leaders / HR teams within those businesses contacting us to tell us of the heartache of having to let their talented team players go . The upside is that they have armed us with the information that will help put the right people in the right places in the right businesses when the industry is ready to go again .