Last week we gathered together industry professionals from the corporate film and events sectors, to hear from experts, clients and industry leaders, to network with each other, and to discuss the future of our industry. So much has changed since our last EVCOMference two years ago. The industry has adapted to a pandemic and the changing restrictions that come with that, to Brexit and the impact this is having on travel and working internationally, and to the possibilities that advancing technology has created.
Our first session of the day was on invite-only breakfast meeting for Senior Leaders, which was hosted by Andrew Winterburn (3Sixty Event Consulting) and Charlotte Gentry (Board Chair, EVCOM). The group discussed these vital changes in our industry, looking at the challenges and opportunities offered by all of them, and discussing solutions through a future-focused lens.
The main conference programme kicked off at 10:00am at the Hilton London Bankside Hotel, with guests arriving to tea, coffee and pastries that they could take into our first keynote of the day. Michael Matania (Tough Cookie) discussed resilience in a powerful and personal session which left a lasting impact on our attendees. We heard from clients and agency leaders in the following sessions, before we broke into smaller groups for a series of breakout sessions which offered attendees a choice of three streams. From sustainability to diversity, technology to finance, the sessions covered a huge range of topics to support preparation for the future from all perspectives. Towards the end of the day we came back together for our final sessions, again focused on hearing the client perspective around corporate comms and the third sector. Once the main programme of the conference was concluded by our host Andrew Winterburn, we adjourned to the balcony for a well deserved glass of wine, as award-winning work played behind us.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined us at EVCOMference. Many people told us this was their first live event in nearly two years, and we were so glad to be provide a safe and worthwhile event for our friends and members to attend. We’d also like to thank our speakers and panelists, all of whom were so generous with their time and their expertise. Our headline sponsor, The Richmond Communication Directors’ Forum, helped make this event happen, and our technology sponsor Hire Frequencies, created our stunning stage and backdrop and were infinitely helpful throughout the day. And finally, we’d like to thank the venue, who were so wonderfully accommodating and fed us so well!
Our brilliant photographer Steve Forrest captured some brilliant shots throughout the day. Take a look below:
Photo credits: Steve Forrest