Rallying forces for resilience
I am sure you will read more than enough reviews of this annus horribilus 2020 ( that has of course knocked Queen Elizabeth II ’ s 1992 version into a cocked hat ) in the coming weeks so I won ’ t labour the point here . What I do want to pick up on is how this adversity has brought out the fighting qualities , resilience and innovative thinking of our wonderful events industry .
Nowhere was that more evident than at the digitalonly 87th UFI Global Congress . The Congress is usually an opportunity to check watches , metaphorically , strengthen old contacts and make new ones , and hear all about new thinking , new designs and new plans from the industry ’ s top blue sky thinkers , and all grounded in the sharing of the best in class research .
As our own association for the exhibition industry took up the challenge of engineering an event that would allow all members , no matter where in the world , to visit the well of shared knowledge and access inspiration and information in convenient form at a convenient time , we realised first-hand how our own clients ’ priorities have flexed .
Our shared journey with UFI – and before the Congress the more than 35 Connect sessions were already reflecting the fast-moving ground of digital event design – has , I am sure , brought all members companionship , a sense of community , and even a
sharing of what may have been lost . Hopefully , most UFI Congress delegates will now feel far better equipped to face the New Year with the ongoing challenges of Covid and its consequences .
Sitting at the gateway of just one of the industry ’ s many information portals , I feel privileged to have witnessed first-hand the best of humanity ’ s efforts to find solutions and promise , with my colleagues , to continue to reflect on the broader debates and to pass on best practice and valuable insights for the benefit of all .
I look forward also to sharing some fantastic impressions of my trip to visit the first international travel tradeshow during Covid – to TravelRevive in Singapore 25-26 November . That was a milestone rallying point for the industry and a magnificent showcase of what intelligent event resilience and design looks like close up .
Let 2021 be the year that we begin our comeback and show the world that exhibitions can be the driving motor of economic revival across all sectors of all economies .
Paul Colston Managing Editor Twitter : @ ExhibitionWorld @ paulcolston
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