In this session, we’re joined by panellists Martin Fullard, editorial director, Mash Media, Shaun Hinds, chief executive, Manchester Central, John Sharkey, executive vice president, ASM Global and Rick Stainton, founder and group executive director, Smyle Group.
They answer the big question: ‘how could an £84bn industry be overlooked in the pandemic?’.
Opening the discussion, Fullard asked the panellists why the government has ignored the events industry.
Hinds suggested that there was “no understanding or appreciation of what the events industry is because our industry is so diverse and fragmented,” Because of this, our industry was “really decimated”.
Sharkey added that we need the “facts and science” of our industry and how it operates.
To help others understand, Stainton created One Industry One Voice. He states “it aims to bring everyone together so we are quoting the same numbers. You cannot engage with Government at senior levels without credible data. This begins with people breaking down barriers and sharing insight.”
Considering the terminology of the events industry, Stainton suggests there is a clear division between mass gatherings and events. “The events industry delivers organised audiences, meaning there is a huge professional network around the people coming together. I think events is a perfectly good word,”
