Last week was a busy week for us. We attended The Meetings Show, where we spoke as part of their education programme, sharing some insight into our Next Gen programme and discussing the importance of engaging with young people to create a diverse and inclusive industry moving forwards. You can read a full writeup of our session here. But it was also a real pleasure to enjoy the experience as delegates. We connected with current members and potential members, caught up with long-time supporters and partners, and met people in person for the first time, after years of emailing and zoom calls! The exhibition was well attended, with a real buzz in the air, as people caught up with each other and discussed key industry issues.
The following day we attended the Conference News Agency Awards, which I had been on the judging panel of. Dressed to the nines, the audience arrived for the Willy Wonka themed afternoon event. The drinks reception was followed by a three-course meal, performances, and then the announcement of the awards themselves. We then moved to a nearby venue for more drinks! Again, we saw and reconnected with familiar faces from across the industry, as well making new connections, all in celebration of the brilliant work so many agencies and individuals are doing. You can check out the list of winners here.
In an industry where many people are still working from home and it is becoming harder and harder to get people together, events like this are invaluable. They remind us that we are part of an events industry, a community. They remind us how much knowledge and connection can be gained from coming together.
You can check out EVCOM’s programme of events here, which features our upcoming campfires – spaces to share knowledge and insight, as well as opportunities to get together as an industry such as next week’s Summer Party.
Photo by William White on Unsplash