One Industry One Voice Update w/c Monday 13th December 2021
Firstly – a reminder to everyone who has yet to see the evolved and exciting ‘OIOV 2022 and Beyond plan’ presentation to join us on 12th January 2022 for one of the 3 identical 1 hour sessions – let us know which one of the scheduled presentation calls repeated at 10am, 1pm, 3pm you can attend – see below for links - thank you in advance as your feedback and input on these developing plans are invaluable, so its shaped by the industry for the benefit of all event professionals across the 7 main sectors.
The final taskforce meeting of the year found everyone reflecting on the immediate impact of the arrival of Omicron in the UK. There was general agreement that in many respects lots of events were already operating in Plan B mode, having chosen to do so in order to build confidence about safety and our expertise in risk assessment and management. The introduction of Covid certification, whilst loathed by some Conservative MPs and problematical operationally for some types of events and settings will, when combined with PCR or LFT tests, provide a degree of reassurance.
Trying to overcome the nervousness that has been created around so many aspects of the new variant is perhaps the biggest challenge. The Taskforce reported a mix of reactions – some music touring is still happening, following the latest guidance but with an increasing sense of deja vu around the timing of similar emergency announcements made at this time last year. Clearly adapting to the latest guidance over mask wearing and Covid certification is much more acceptable than being forced into mandatory restrictions where the industry's advice and input has not been taken into account.
Venues have seen immediate loss of business, with events postponing, down sizing or simply cancelling. Agencies are reporting increased nervousness amongst clients with events pencilled for early next year. Many of the event industry associations have been asking their members to submit details of the business impact to the DCMS. Given that there are no specific financial support packages in place at this point in time, this evidence looks like it might come into play once we all have a much clearer idea of how the new variant is going to impact our lives.
The DCMS team has also been holding roundtables on supply chain issues and how they are impacting across the sectors. Lack of human resource features largely in such discussions and creating a concerted effort to attract graduates into the industry by giving them access to industry leaders and associations has been proposed as one possible solution to the immediate challenge in the workforce.
There was also a very clear sense that highlighting the challenges created by the unknowns thrown up by Omicon wasn’t a great way of building confidence, but that the pragmatic and creative people working in our industry would find ways of delivering safe events of all types once the time required to fully map out the variants impact has been used by our equally brilliant scientists and medical experts.
It is clear that the pandemic rollercoaster riding we have all been forced to endure will stop in 2022 as we adapt to living with Covid 19 and start delivering the experiences that so many people want to get back to. The surprise of the very limited season we could operate in this year was how strong the pent up demand was – making that brief window of activity feel even more wonderful as December now falls apart.
But as long as the NHS isn’t put under too much stress, as long as the booster campaign rolls out as required and we maintain the resilient and confident approach that has brought us this far, next year will be so much better.
Part of that confidence is built on the exciting plans we are developing for the future role of OIOV – as per the 12th Jan 2022 presentations already outlined (see zoom links below).
Finally many, many thanks to all of you that have supported OIOV over the last 18 months. We hope that everyone gets the chance to have a safe and healthy holiday season with some well earned R&R too. Back on it in 2022 – so Happy New Year too.
Rick & Simon
12th Jan 2022 - Future OIOV plan presentation links – choose one time to join the repeated presentations: 10am, 1pm or 3pm.
January 12th – 10am Session:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Jan 12, 2022 10:00 AM London
Topic: One Industry One Voice supporters
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://smyle-co-uk.zoom.us/j/97527891724
Or One tap mobile :
United Kingdom: +442039017895,,97527891724# or +442080806591,,97527891724#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
United Kingdom: +44 203 901 7895 or +44 208 080 6591 or +44 208 080 6592 or +44 330 088 5830 or +44 131 460 1196 or +44 203 481 5237 or +44 203 481 5240
Webinar ID: 975 2789 1724
International numbers available: https://smyle-co-uk.zoom.us/u/acGvEnUTKq
January 12th – 1pm Session:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Jan 12, 2022 01:00 PM London
Topic: One Industry One Voice supporters
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://smyle-co-uk.zoom.us/j/93458638610
Or One tap mobile :
United Kingdom: +443300885830,,93458638610# or +441314601196,,93458638610#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
United Kingdom: +44 330 088 5830 or +44 131 460 1196 or +44 203 481 5237 or +44 203 481 5240 or +44 203 901 7895 or +44 208 080 6591 or +44 208 080 6592
Webinar ID: 934 5863 8610
International numbers available: https://smyle-co-uk.zoom.us/u/adG2uYG2Kf
January 12th – 3pm Session:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Jan 12, 2022 03:00 PM London
Topic: One Industry One Voice supporters
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://smyle-co-uk.zoom.us/j/96051225321
Or One tap mobile :
United Kingdom: +442080806592,,96051225321# or +443300885830,,96051225321#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
United Kingdom: +44 208 080 6592 or +44 330 088 5830 or +44 131 460 1196 or +44 203 481 5237 or +44 203 481 5240 or +44 203 901 7895 or +44 208 080 6591
Webinar ID: 960 5122 5321
International numbers available: https://smyle-co-uk.zoom.us/u/advxop99Py