Insights without borders: the latest must-see webinars
Throughout COVID-19, technology has had a major role to play. With so many of us working from home, video calls and virtual meetings have become a frequent daily occurrence – and we’ve all learnt more about digital capabilities to connect, converse and share which will certainly have an increasing role to play for our industry and others for some time to come – possibly forever.
During the last couple of months I’ve been asked to participate in a number of webinars and panel discussions, largely on the recovery process and future of the business events industry. It’s been fantastic to be part of these discussions as we discuss and share insights on the positive and practical steps different parts of the industry are taking to reopen – and build back better.
Last week I sat on the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF)’s ‘Rebooting the sector! Will it ever be the same?’. For those of you who’ve been in business events for many years, like me, we’ve certainly been through our share of crises, and we’ve bounced back and been very resilient. COVID-19 has been a crisis like no other and will fundamentally change the landscape. That said, while restrictions on international travel and gatherings remain at present, we’re optimistic about the future having won 11 bids this year and rehoming 96 percent of confirmed business into 2021 and beyond.
Just yesterday I was on a Saxton ‘State of Events’ discussion looking at how the industry is coping with the crisis so far, what recovery looks like and what parts of this 'online era' will carry through to our new normal. I must say that whilst digital has truly come into its own during this time and virtual solutions provide a useful solution in the current market, they are no long-term substitute for face to face connections. Even the improved digital platforms that will inevitably rise out of this, will never replace the integrity of connecting face to face. You’ll never replicate the sidebar conversations with global peers at big conferences, or the serendipitous collisions that can spark future innovation.
Find out more about my ‘Rebooting the Sector’ discussion with Margy Osmond (TTF), Peter King (MCEC) and Penny Lion (Tourism Australia) here.
Find out more about my ‘State of Events’ discussion with Anne Jamieson (Saxton), Kate Smith (WaldronSmith), Kelly Maynard (Tourism Australia), Nesrene O’Connell (Cisco), Natalie Simmons (cievents), Stephen Steenson (Reed Exhibitions) and Belinda Doery (Solterbeck Events) here.
