Levelling up: the economy and event industry DEI

This Monday’s Insights (22nd August) feature brings you a selection of recent industry headlines, including levelling up to redress economic imbalance, industry ageism, and group travel’s road to recovery.

Headlines

Levelling up on economic imbalance

Levelling up is a much-needed government strategy to redress the economic imbalance between London and the rest of the country, explains Liz Taylor, managing director of the northern-based Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC).

Liz spoke to M&IT about how she welcomes any inward-investment to the Manchester region, and believes the Government needs to focus on its original plans for HS2. 

“Improved transport links will not only make it easier to do business in the city and between cities in the region, but coaxing large-scale conferences, meetings and trade shows, a huge revenue driver in the events sector will be a much easier sell with improved transport infrastructure. My focus is very much on live events and always has been.”

Read the full levelling up opinion article here. 

Ageism in events?

“It’s not even unconscious bias, it’s blatant bias.” Event industry recruiter, Robert Kenward, has shared his views on ageism in a new blog on Conference News.

The feature encourages agencies to hire eventprofs over 50, reminding readers that age inclusivity is a vital part of DEI.

“But no-one talks about it, there is no scholarship or initiative to encourage the over 50s into our industry. An employer would never say that they are looking for a white person, or a woman for a role, but it’s very common for agencies to specify the age bracket of the new recruit that they need.”

Read it here.

IMEX America clears the path

IMEX America, returning to Las Vegas October 10 – 13, is set to address the new needs of the industry head on. The four-day event is designed to deliver a tailored, targeted and enjoyable business experience. 

The business climate is defined by inflationary pressures, supply chain issues and talent shortages. So IMEX America is designed to guide attendees to the people, products and learnings that best fit their specific needs. Just two months after registration opened, over 3,000 global buyers have so far confirmed their participation. 

Likewise, there has been strong demand from suppliers from an early stage. International exhibitors returning to the show in force. The list includes all the major hotel groups.

The event’s free learning programme has been simplified for attendees, too. Under the theme ‘Pathways to Clarity’, the IMEX team has streamlined the number of education tracks from 10 to four. Attendees will find: Respect for People and Planet; Future Self; Innovation and Creativity; Event Planner Toolkit. And a global roster of speakers will offer fresh thinking on today’s challenges.

Find out more at imexexhibitions.com

Group travel on the road to recovery

Group travel is on the road to recovery, with live expos, in-person conferences, and incentive trips back on the cards. But there is a marked difference in the post-pandemic travel experience and the attitudes of those on board.

Read the views of Air Partner head of charter, Clive Chalmers on mitmagazine.co.uk.

Double Take

Should venues be more flexible during travel strikes?

Martin Fullard, editorial director, Conference News, says venues should have demonstrated greater flexibility during the rail strikes.

What do you think about the way venues have approached cancellation terms during this latest challenge for eventprofs? 

Check out his piece from earlier this month.