10 GREAT things the #eventsindustry has accomplished in 2020!

We all know that 2020 has been the very hardest of years for so many in our beleaguered sector. From cancelled events to folded companies, we have never seen anything like it and it's been brutal - economically, socially and personally.

But, through the dark of the coronavirus pandemic, the lights of the events industry have shone brightly. Whilst we must learn lessons from this year, it's important to take a moment to recognise what we have achieved. If we can do this lot in a year like 2020, just imagine what we can accomplish in the future!

These are my very own personal thoughts on the fantastic achievements made by our industry this year:

1. Supported the NHS

As the UK ran headfirst into the first wave of a novel virus, there were genuine and substantiated concerns that the NHS could be overwhelmed. With admissions soaring and ITU patient numbers already perilously close to the edge, our wonderful clinicians needed help from the outside.

Whilst the support of the armed forces received significant attention, the mobilisation of an army of event professionals received far less acclaim. That, though, has never been our driver - we're very used to making things happen from the background. The events industry stood proud as it supported the NHS. From flagship projects such as the Nightingale Hospitals to more regional support in sharing PPE, giving hospitals additional temporary capacity and sharing our excellently qualified project managers - the events industry did (and still does) all it could.

2. We've gone virtual

Whilst Covid has changed the industry beyond recognition, it has also presented some new and exciting opportunities to meet with colleagues, friends, customers and prospective partners!

The recent National Outdoor Events Association annual convention is just one example of how the industry has seized the opportunity to continue engagement through computer screens. Whilst we all know that nothing will ever replace face-to-face events - digital has presented new ways of doing things that will undoubtedly be incorporated into our offering moving forwards.

Meanwhile, fantastic events such as Event Tech Live and Major Events Summit curated entire online conventions with incredible content, networking opportunities and fabulous keynote speeches from industry heavyweights. As always, the events industry has been at the cutting edge of innovation and finding new ways to #createexperiences.

3. We've come together

It's fair to say, the events industry is massive. Contributing £84 billion to the UK economy each year and employing over 700,000 people - we should be a pretty big consideration. The reality though is that, at the start of this crisis, there was very little coordination between the various sectors of our industry. Promoters, suppliers, trade associations, umbrella organisations - all of whom had their own priorities, issues and routes into government.

Covid-19 though, has closed us ALL.

It has been truly heartwarming to see the Events Industry come together across the country. From national campaigns such as One Industry One Voice to the establishment of locally relevant groups such as EPIC or the South Coast Events Forum - our sector has sought to work together to make our case and fight our corner. There is, of course, still work to do but we've made some massive steps this year!

4. We even delivered some live events

The resilience in the events industry is mind blowing. With social distancing in place, events as we know and love them had become a distant memory however, a committed band of event professionals took it upon themselves to deliver a variety of events across the country bringing joy and entertainment to thousands - in bubbles, 2 metres apart and with more hand sanitiser than you would imagine possible.

From the much-lauded Virgin Money Unity Arena in Newcastle to a host of drive in concerts, comedy shows and live theatre - event organisers and suppliers got to work over the summer. Truth be told, the commercial viability of these approaches is questionable but it just went to show what can be achieved - even in the most challenging of circumstances.

5. Kept elite sport running

If, like me, you live for live sport then the first few weeks of Lockdown 1.0 would've been particularly annoying. Whilst the re-runs of 'Premier League Years' were great for a few days, the lack of televised live sport (where you didn't already know the result) was an annoying and unexpected side-effect of the government-implemented measures.

Clearly, the health of the population did and must come first but the lack of our usual entertainment sources has a real impact on mental wellbeing. So, led by the Premier League's 'Project Restart', sport across the country slowly started to consider returning in a new fashion and with considerable control mechanisms in place.

The ATP Tour Finals in London (photographed above) and the Virgin Money London Marathon were just two of a succession of events to be delivered - without crowds - throughout the summer and autumn. As ever, a host of event professionals were involved across all of these occasions. From H&S to project management, production, technology and comms, the role of the events industry in delivering this cannot be understated.

6. Considered a more sustainable future

Sustainability was undoubtedly one of the emerging trends for the events industry at the start of 2020. Driven both by an increased public consciousness of climate change and an incredibly committed and dedicated band of event professionals who had been campaigning on the issues for many years, this year was destined to be a real year of change for the events industry.

Whilst the industry's response to Covid naturally took centre stage, the drive to re-imagine the events industry in a more sustainable fashion followed very closely behind. Covid has presented an opportunity for us to really consider how we do things and the role we can play in looking after the planet which has fought back this year.

7. Innovated to support the charity sector

Charity income has been decimated by the pandemic. Unable to host or attend the events which normally form the lifeblood of their fundraising efforts, the third sector has been rocked to its core. In spite of this, the services which they provide have never been more important and it was therefore vital to try and support them in any way we could.

The 2.6 Challenge, which took place over the normal weekend of the London Marathon, was a fantastic example of how the events sector stood up and took care of the UK's charities. This was just one of the thousands of fundraising events which have taken place up and down the country - many of which have been organised, supported or produced by our wonderful sector.

8. Raise awareness of our sector

One of the key realisations throughout 2020 has been that the public and government have no real idea what goes into making live events. There is no comprehension of the vast number of livelihoods the industry supports and the positive impact we have on the nation in a whole host of ways. This year saw the events industry stepping out from behind the scenes and shouting to the rooftops about its value. Whilst this approach was born out of Covid, it will serve us incredibly well into the future.

The #wemakeevents Survival Tour was just one example of the events industry putting everything into raising its profile. A committed and dedicated band of individuals stood up for the sector and traversed the country to celebrate our industry. This was just one example of the press, PR, awareness raising and exemplary work undertaken this year.

9. We've looked out for each other

We have never needed to look after each other more than we have done in 2020. Throughout the pandemic, we have comforted colleagues, support competitors and made relationships with new friends who are living through shared experiences. We have picked up the phone, sat in virtual meetings and found time where otherwise we would not have done.

The Mental Health impacts of Covid, could in time, far supersede the fateful casualty numbers we have seen throughout this year and the events industry is not exempt from this. It is vital now that we consider how the events industry has treated its people in the past and how we can do this better in the future. I genuinely believe this will happen.

10. The All Party Parliamentary Group for Events

Finally, it was fantastic to see the re-constitution of the APPG for Events to be lead by Theresa Villiers MP. This will bring the events industry closer to parliament and the key decision makers in the country. By engaging with politicians, we stand a better chance of building back stronger and supporting the country in its recovery from this terrible year.

It's been a rough year but we've also taken some monumental steps over the past 12 months. That's why I remain incredibly proud to work in the events industry.