Corporate Events Plus

Can you help on this project – it has started but unfortunately one of the project managers has had to leave the project?

For 3 weeks I have been flat out Project Managing the fit out of the elements at 8 sites across the UK for the procuring and installation of floor coverings, walls, ceilings and curtain rails on NHS Stepdown Facilities. Field hospitals attached to existing Hospitals built in structures.

An amazing project to be working on for ESG. So many professional faces on the team across all of the sites. Long days but amazing to see what is achieved when the events industry meets the construction industry to turn a reactive need to Covid into a reality to support the country and community.

Other work for March is slowly coming back – We are ready for round 2 of a restart to the live event , Conference and Exhibition industry’s, fingers crossed this is the restart of our industry. As an industry I think we need to re-invest in technology and labour – some skilled labour has left the industry over the last 2 years. But until we see events returning I think companies will be reluctant to invest. Chicken and egg as they say.

I don’t think I have worked on so many projects that have been cancelled in such a short space of time, 4 events cancelled or dates moved which means they are cancelled due to date clashes – this Covid is not helping the recovery of our industry. I am a pretty positive person but even I am struggling to see the benefit of working in the live events industry at this point after 2 years of constant knockbacks. I did enjoy the recce’s to Butlins in Bognor Regis though – face to face meetings, you can’t beat them. Fingers crossed we get back to them pretty soon.

How long are we going to need to Dodge this virus?

Enquiries have turned into live projects, Conferencing, Live audiences and audiences joining virtually – ‘Hybrid’ the new buzz word in live events which is effectively 2 events happening at the same time – The live audience in the venue in person and the virtual audience joining the event from their own home or remote office location.

Great to see crew on site again unloading the trucks

Next up a project for an exhibition booth build and an expo, gala dinner and conference for a leading DIY retailer.

One thing I don’t remember is how heavy the suitcases used to be when being green and travelling by train – note to self – buy a new case with wheels.

The world it seems is relaxing, companies are looking at face to face meetings again, what a relief for our industry. It is not without it’s challenges though.

Some ‘go to’ suppliers are no longer trading, those that are trading are running on skeleton staff with the support of freelance crew for hire.

Crew are at a premium, equipment needs to be booked in advance to help with logistics – moving equipment is another difficulty and longer deadlines are needed for print production and the purchase of materials.

We are not out of the woods yet, but there is a joy in having face to face production meetings again with those who have weathered the storm

17 months, that was a struggle for sure, not only keeping motivated and up to date with changes in event communication with Hybrid, Virtual and Live events it has also been a struggle adapting to new sets of suppliers – how they work – respond to requests for information and trying to catch the gaps they leave in their quoting.

I was able to do a day of recce’s in London for an event in November and a last minute cover on site for someone on holiday where a backdrop, stage and wet weather contingency area needed to be constructed to assist socially distancing delegates. And the rain on the day arrived to confirm the requirement.

What a pleasure to be back on site.

Fantastic, we have a project in London in November, 4 days in the centre of town, back to Conferencing at last – quoting – scheduling – client changes bring it all on – I am really looking forward to seeing some familiar faces on site again.

Outdoor events have been gathering pace and now I hope the indoor events will start to return again. I have been to Peterborough and Balldock to two festivals delivering and installing fridges for bars this month for the Anglian Trailer Centre.

This month working at Anglian trailers I have been delivering and collecting freezer and fridge trailers for some EVENTS !!!!!!

Out door events in the form of the Cambridge food festival and the Airshow at Duxford.

It was great to be on site with alot of familiar work going on, fork lifts moving barriers and an out door stage being set up – I can not almost remember the last time I saw a pile of flight cases, it made me think, ”God I miss our industry”

The Government have announced today that International travel can take place from America and Europe to England with vaccinated travellers not requiring to quarantine on arrival to the UK, another step towards being able to gather international audiences, fingers crossed the return to live events for business is on the horizon.

Another month goes by without a live business event, sporting events are on the rise, festivals are being confirmed and yet conference and exhibitions are slow to return. International travel is still uncertain due to the ever changing traffic light listings by the government. The government guidelines are not helping our industry regarding meeting indoors for business so it is frustrating to see crowds of football fans gathering in close groups.

This month I have been working in a different industry and was involved with repossessing a hire lorry where the payments had not been met for sometime so the vehicle had to be taken back. Waiting for the vehicle to be cleaned out before driving it away back to the company who owned the vehicle was awkward but necessary. So many people affected by the pandemic.

I am concerned for our industry – each week another name in the industry has retired, left for pastures new or just plain given up – tough times indeed.

The government roll out of the vaccinations is helping, I have had my second jab now, the over 30’s are having their first jabs and the strain on the NHS is reduced – let’s get back to work – every other industry seems to be trading it is our turn to get back to work – fingers crossed we can make a start soon, it’s been a long time coming.

We have been able to help with the promotion of a new part of business for Anglian Trailer Centre who have invested in some Motorhomes. Arranging print for signage to advertise the product and the preparation of images for social media.

Unfortunately with the cancellation of Mobile World Congress for 2021 all eyes are on 2022 for the next Mobile World Congress Exhibition. There are murmurings of events re starting but until the rest of the world catches up with inoculations to stem the spread of the Covid virus we are still going to struggle to hold international events anytime soon.