By Claire Fennelow
Last week I had the pleasure of going to not one, but two wonderful events. Both celebratory and filled with wonderfully interesting people, but very different occasions.
The first was the 30th Anniversary Dinner of Performing Artistes, hosted by JJ Jackson and accompanied by his father and original founder, Stanley Jackson. It was an entertaining and emotional night as JJ took us through some of wonderful memories of a truly family business. The winning story was the supply of a goat for the princely sum of £450 for some event or other. Emotion showed towards the end when JJ thanked his many clients, friends, family and the considerable contingent of talent he’d brought with him to entertain us – Rory Bremner, Tom Allen, Zoe Lyons, and many more comedians whose names escape me. And a magician! A really wonderful evening and great to see so many events businesses represented and wishing Performing Artistes well.
Venue: London Marriott, Grosvenor Square, London
Photo Credit: Leo Wilkinson
The second event was the annual SEC Burns Supper which is, without fail, an evening of great speeches and raucous dancing. There was the traditional piping in of the haggis, the Selkirk Grace, a fabulous performance in the address to the haggis followed by the Toast to the Lassies and the reply. Then there was whisky! And more whisky. For a girl who isn’t fond of the stuff this was the only problematic part of the evening. The rest was a joy. Interesting people, a beautiful building and tip top organisation making for a superb event. And only a dodgy knee prevented me from throwing myself around at the ceilidh after dinner.
Venue: Banqueting House, Whitehall, London
It was lovely to be out at events, networking with EVCOM members, colleagues old and new and industry peers. Thank you to both Performing Artistes and SEC for having me!