Insight: Issue 121 | Wed 01 Feb

So long Jan, Hello Feb…

As we wave a fond farewell to everyone’s favourite dry month (LOL), we’re seeing it off the only way we know how – by hitting you up with a healthy dose of recent events knowledge.

Hitting the headlines this week we’ve got:

Free Martyn’s Law masterclass for event profs; How the industry can help the next generation of event profs enter the industry; Scotland’s Trade Fair buzzes with activity; Diversity and Inclusion in the Events Industry; and has Safeguarding become the Buzzword for the events industry?

Free Martyn’s Law masterclass for event profs

This 2 Feb, ICC Wales will be leading a free online masterclass on the specifics of the new law before the draft legislation is published in the Spring.

‘Martyn’s Law – Safer Events for the UK’ will be anchored by ICC Wales’ sales director Danielle Bounds alongside director of the Association of Event Venues (AEV) Rachel Parker. The focus will be on exploring the ways the law will effect events and how profs can work with venues to ensure maximum safety.

The Wales venue has played a significant role in the education of the incoming legislation, providing the sector with useful educational resources such as the Protect Duty Report and launching its flagship Protect Duty Events Industry Group.

Speaking on the event, Bounds comments;

“Every day, Martyn’s Law moves a step closer to becoming legislation and it’s not just sporting stadia and music venues that are impacted by Martyn’s Law but event venues and conference centres too, so it is important that everyone is clear on their roles and responsibilities before this comes into effect.”

How the industry can help the next generation of event profs enter the industry

How do we ‘bridge the gap’ between the future generation of event profs and our glorious industry? In an interview with Conference News, Milly Pickles, senior account executive at Top Banana, shares her opinion on how we can go about it.

Firstly, universities and the industry need to band together, working in tandem to deliver courses that better prepare, up-skill and offer hands-on experience to gain a clearer understanding of the inner workings of the events sector. Placement years, practical modules and talks from industry speakers as well as recent graduates go a long way to providing those in education with a better grasp of what lies in store.

Another way students can get get ahead of the game is by immersing themselves in the knowledge of industry magazines, associations and basic terminology, alongside having a thorough idea of what roles are available to them. Networking, attending industry events and building up a good bank of relevant contacts wouldn’t go a miss either.

It’s vital we give prospective post-graduate event profs as much help and guidance as possible. Working closely with universities makes is not only valuable support for students, but will be enormously beneficial to the industry as well.

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Scotland’s Trade Fair buzzes with activity

Optimism is in the air after a stellar year for Clarion Retail’s gift market buying show at the SEC Glasgow. The huge 3 day Trade Fair saw custom flooding in, and after a successful retail season in 2022, exhibitors and buyers are all in agreement that this year is looking positive for the sector.

Show director Mark Saunders speaks of what the future holds for retail:

“Whilst there are clearly big challenges still for all businesses, it will be considerably easier to navigate these as footfall in shops continues to build. The last three years have not been easy ones for exhibitions and in that time, new routes to market and subtle changes in buying patterns have emerged.

“However, over and over again, the overriding benefits of trade shows were evident. Face to face communication will not go away and the ability to see, feel, touch, taste and smell are a vitally important part of the buying process.”

Diversity and Inclusion in the Events Industry

For most sectors, the concept of Diversity and Inclusion is becoming high priority, and the events industry is no exception.

In a sit down with partners including Gregg Talley of US-based Talley Management Group Inc., Jean-Paul de Lavison of Canada-based JPdL International Inc. and Thania Carrera of Mexico-based T&C Group, World PCO Alliance asks what they believe the role of DEI is in the meetings and conferences sector.

We’ll go through a few top takes from the interview:

What does diversity, in the context of the meetings industry, mean to you?

Jean-Paul de Lavison: “Diversity is a tool that allows us, as meeting organisers, to see things from as many perspectives as possible. This fuller awareness goes into how we approach each event.”

What are some practices your firm incorporates to support diversity as an SDG goal?

Thania Carrera: “Our company has a committee that guides us in the principles and value of diversity and how to weave it into our corporate culture as well as in our collaborations with clients.”

What are your predictions for diversity, as an SDG principle, in the meetings industry?

Gregg Talley: “Diversity is here to stay, and we can and should be leading the way!”

Has Safeguarding become the Buzzword for the events industry?

What is ‘Safeguarding’? More often than not it’s a term that people associate with education, young people and and those at risk. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s become a crucial part of event planning and management, keeping attendees safe and in good health.

1. Conduct a Safeguarding Risk Assessment – Identifying the potential risks and threats that could potentially harm their attendances, ensuring that specific measures are put in place before the event takes place.

2. Coordinate with Local Authorities – Identify through the local authority whether there is any intelligence around said event and ensure that the event polices align with those of the local authority safeguarding hub.

3. Communicate with Attendees: – Event planners should communicate with their attendees prior to the event, outlining what safeguarding procedures are in place.

4. Train Staff & Volunteers: Companies should train staff on the event safeguarding procedures as well as any additional emergency evacuation procedures.

5. Continuously Monitor and Review Safeguarding Plans: Organisers should ensure their policies and procedures are up to date in line with the latest guidelines and that all measures are effective and robust.

6. Designated Safeguarding Lead: Event Organisers should have a specific member of staff or team designated to overseeing all areas of safeguarding and child protection.

7. Safeguarding Policy: Event planners should have an overall safeguarding policy highlighting the policies and procedures of the event as well as the main contact numbers at local authority and how to make a referral.

Minimise hazards and risks is an essential part of the event planning process, so a handy little list like this a great tool for all us event profs. Cheers Thomas!

Well, it’s adios for this week folks

Have a fab start to February and we’ll catch you on the flip side!