• Home
  • LATEST POSTS
  • PODCAST
  • Support ASE
Type and hit ENTER

Be Yourself. Be Happy.

Of the grand order of folio leviathans, the Sperm Whale and the Right Whale are by far the most noteworthy. They are the only whales regularly hunted by man. To the Nantucketer, they present the two extremes of all the known varieties of the whale. As the external difference between them is mainly observable in their heads; and as a head of each is this moment hanging from the Pequod's side.

Stay Positive. Always.

Of the grand order of folio leviathans, the Sperm Whale and the Right Whale are by far the most noteworthy. They are the only whales regularly hunted by man. To the Nantucketer, they present the two extremes of all the known varieties of the whale. As the external difference between them is mainly observable in their heads; and as a head of each is this moment hanging from the Pequod's side.

Image Not Found On Media Library
  • Home
  • LATEST POSTS
  • PODCAST
  • Support ASE
GET CONNECTED
Image Not Found On Media Library
  • HOME
    • About
    • Contributors
    • Archive
  • COMMENTARY
  • EVENT REPORTS
  • PODCAST
  • SUPPORT or SPONSOR

Now we have a roadmap, we need to meet

September 22, 2021
-
Posted by Gary Fitz-Roy

Isn’t it funny how we come to miss something only after we no longer have it? 

I raise the point because it reflects the sentiments of exhibitors who have come to realise how important and enjoyable it is actually meeting with clients. It’s all about ‘personal contact’ which is not the same online or over the telephone. They miss it! 

We know that from experience because each time we thought the worst of COVID was over and announce new expo dates (only to then find that the new dates are impacted by new government restrictions), we are inundated with calls and emails from suppliers saying they were looking forward to seeing clients again, face-to-face!  

Equally we receive even more emails from visitors wanting attend the show, sometimes totally unaware of government restrictions. 

For that reason we are pleased to provide an update given the increasingly positive outlook; vaccination rates are providing light at the end of the tunnel. With current projections that NSW will open around mid-October to fully vaccinated people.  Victoria and Queensland should not be far behind.    

With Christmas looming, and even with current lockdown restrictions, companies need to review new products and collections that will be available for the busiest and now the most important sales period in 2021. And they must forward plan for the annual New Year sales, which are growing in importance. 

The other feedback I continually receive is the desire and need for suppliers to connect with clients before Christmas, something we understand and appreciate. It’s even more important for those companies who have not met face-to-face with clients for as much as two years! 

So it’s great to have a road map in NSW at least, and for the first time in months we should be feeling optimistic. And as I have raised previously, the real issue is around confidence, which is still the single biggest element to conquer. 

It is clear the states won’t touch COVID cancellation insurance and I am reliably informed it’s been pushed to the Federal Government. Which is basically what the UK did and partly why I recently suggested that we need to reset and focus on what we can do to get going.

18 months on nothing has changed, we need to have a clear pathway and road open to confidently get going.

All the feedback from clients is around that lack of confidence that we get to a week or two before opening and have to pull the event. We need to solely focus on this to get going. As the music industry rightly raised we cannot continually have start /stop, we need to plan and instil confidence.

NSW has certainly stated that milestones means freedoms and this translates into Business Event running, my understanding is that at 70% we will reopen under the 4sqm per person rule and at 80% I understand a number of ministers are pushing for 2sqm, something Queensland changed to last Friday without any fanfare! That said the Qld premier’s announcement on not reopening fully until 90% is a feat rarely achieved anywhere in the world, which just underlines how she is off with the pixies and is sounding like Mark McGowan – very out touch. God knows how tourism will rebound in Queensland, let alone Business events. 

If NSW Government keeps to their word they should be able to commit publicly that based on reaching the vaccination targets being reached we can function with no fear, yet they haven’t, which begs the question why not? I understand they felt the pressure to announce something, but now a few weeks on we surely should be able to have some meat on the bone. Given how many people are lining up to announce how many meetings they have had with various government bodies it still does not sound like they are addressing the core issue. 

I have been critical of Dan Andrews, but I respect his current stance with the building industry – treating everyone equally and not being bullied into a position that counteracts the state getting out of lockdown. The Victoria Roadmap in a lot of respects aligns with NSW, which makes sense if NSW and Vic can at least operate and agree on opening that will leave Qld, like WA, severely affected. 

The collective voice needs to be around confidence to resume business and the road to remain open, if Governments can’t commit to that why dangle the vaccine carrot, as the sector most now impacted over the greatest amount of time it would be nice to have a surety.

Here’s a quote to end with: The only easy day was yesterday!

We cannot give up on the squeaky wheel of our sector’s real needs, confidence remains the centre and major focus as with it there are enough resourceful people within our sector who will stand up and deliver in 2022!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

September 22, 2021
Email
No comments yet
Gary Fitz-Roy
Gary Fitz-Roy is the convener of the National Events Alliance and MD of Expertise Events, one of Australia's largest family owned exhibition companies.

Comment on this article Cancel reply

Join the conversation

Receive notifications when we publish

Invalid email address
No spam. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!
RECENT POSTS
  • The technology that powers Vivid Sydney 2022
    May 19, 2022

    It’s fun to walk past the amazing sites along the 8km Vivid Sydney …

    Share this:

    • Twitter
    • Facebook

    Like this:

    Like Loading...
  • Time for a reality check!
    May 18, 2022

    Gary Fitz-Roy is concerned that things are not as rosy as some are …

    Share this:

    • Twitter
    • Facebook

    Like this:

    Like Loading...
  • The wrap – 13th May
    May 13, 2022

    The industry was shocked this week to learn of the sudden death of …

    Share this:

    • Twitter
    • Facebook

    Like this:

    Like Loading...
  • How do festivals recover – before rebuilding?
    May 13, 2022

    For a number of years now I have volunteered as a stage/venue manager …

    Share this:

    • Twitter
    • Facebook

    Like this:

    Like Loading...
  • New Zealand ready and waiting for international delegates
    May 12, 2022

    The New Zealand Prime Minister’s announcement that borders will open to all international …

    Share this:

    • Twitter
    • Facebook

    Like this:

    Like Loading...
Recent Comments
  • Linda Gaunt on MC, mentor, tech head, wine buff and the socks – tributes flow for Toby Travanner
  • Lyn Millist (nee willis) on Get Local and Doltone House get the industry back together
  • DB Schenker - Fairs & Events on The logistics of moving events just got harder
  • Tim Collett on The logistics of moving events just got harder
  • Linda on Five minutes with Silke Calder
POPULAR TAGS
COVID-19
sydney lockdown
savevicevents
BECA
PJSE
MCEC
MEA
melbourne lockdown
EEAA
MCB
AIME
ICC Sydney
arinex
AACB
Get Local
AIME2022
Australian Event Awards
Sydney Showground
JobKeeper
Business Events
BEIA
Business Events Grants Scheme
VTIC
BESydney
Tokyo 2020ne
Navarra Venues
Expertise Events
NEA
Regional Events
Sydney Olympics
savevictorianevents
Podcast
Victoria
AIME 2022
Exhibitions
Melbourne
event insurance
Talk2 Media & Events
Evolve2022
BCEC
Australian Open
NFF
Theatre
Peter King
Save Vic Events
GET CONNECTED
  • HOME
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Contributors
Copyright Australasian Special Events 2000 - 2021
Now we have a roadmap, we need to meet | Australasian Special Events
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: