Monday Insights – June 6th

This Monday’s Insights feature brings you the industry headlines you may have missed from the previous week.

Headlines

Paul Harvey, Editor of M&IT, has written a fantastic feature about the Platinum Jubilee, with which everyone in the team behind EDGE Venues 100% per cent concurs. Writing about the pride that eventprofs involved with should feel, he covers the scale of the celebrations. From Trooping the Colour, the incredible flypast in London, lighting of the beacons, the Platinum Party at the Palace and an outstanding drone display, to a fun pageant, and of course, that clip with Queen Elizabeth showing Paddington Bear what she keeps in her black handbag.

All shone a light on 70 years of the Queen’s reign while simultaneously lighting up the UK events sector.

Read Paul’s feature here.

Rajesh Agrawal, Deputy Mayor of London for Business, together with representatives from ExCeL London and London & Partners, used the opening of IMEX Frankfurt to champion the capital as a world-class event destination.

ExCeL – home to London’s International Convention Centre – also confirmed that construction works for its 25,000sqm expansion programme are well underway and set to enhance its status as the home of world-leading events. 

Developed to exceed industry standards in sustainability, the project will create additional state-of-the-art ICC convention facilities, exhibition halls and conference rooms, together with stunning outdoor spaces – all designed to put London at the forefront of the global events industry.

Speaking during the press conference at IMEX, Deputy Mayor for Business Rajesh Agrawal said: “After two years of insecurity, it’s very clear the events industry in London is roaring back to life. I’m delighted to be here today to showcase the exciting opportunities the city boasts. London is a world-class and sustainably focused destination for events, and there has never been a better time to host your meeting, congress or event here.”

“… it’s very clear the events industry in London is roaring back to life.”

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) board has unanimously appointed Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester and Co-Founder of Parklife and The Warehouse Project, as Chair of its Board of Directors.

Sacha has worked hand-in-hand with the NTIA and stakeholders across the UK over the last two years, and has established himself as one of the stand out voices within the sector. 

He says: “The Night Time Industries Association is a critical player in the sector, and has been a key voice in representing operators, not just in London but nationally across the UK.”

“I am honoured to be joining as Chair at this pivotal time in the sector’s recovery. There is still so much work to be done to help operators through these difficult times, and I wholly support the NTIA in their efforts to create better working practices for those in the industry, achieve greater funding for businesses nationwide, and develop vital initiatives to ensure everyone working within, or using the night time economy, gets home safely.”

Sacha Lord

Double Take

The Fast Forward 15 (FF15) Class of 2022 had their graduation at Tobacco Dock on May 20. The 2023 cohort was also revealed for the first time during a day packed full of shared experiences courtesy of the outgoing cohort.

Read more about the event on Conference News, with thoughts of some of the new cohort on what it means to be a FF15 mentee.