In my case, both of my association
clients closed their events for the foreseeable future. My international conference client has moved
completely virtual through at least 2022, canceling future conference dates in
Germany (Hamburg, 2021) as well as the U.S. (Portland, 2020). My trade show client cancelled their 2020 expo
and convention, possibly not re-opening until 2022 (though October 2021 is
under consideration, albeit on a much smaller scale).
I was fortunate to get a call from an
old friend and former sponsor from one of my events (Proteus On-Demand
Facilities sponsored the International Disaster Conference & Expo I launched
in New Orleans in 2012… now owned by the New Orleans Convention Center and
known as RES-CON). John reached out
because he had just purchased the assets and good will from Proteus and was
bringing the business back to market as FLEXTC (they provide tents, temporary
structures, modular structures, and extended-term facilities that can be
quickly deployed anywhere in the world, serving a number of industries).
Proteus sponsored IDCE due to their
presence in the disaster response and recovery sector, providing structures and
services for base camps, including sleeping tents, beds, showers and toilets,
kitchens, flooring, temporary roadways, water service, electricity / power
generators, HVAC systems, etc. Given the
activity with hurricanes and other emergencies this year, I would say it’s safe
to say there is an increasing demand for what they provide.
However, John noted that they also wanted
to expand their footprint in the events sector.
I was a bit stunned since the event market is currently dead. His comments made me think, and made sense!
As events begin to slowly return
(which they will), there will be an increased need for more space due to social
distancing and the requirement to create safe environments. Events will want more options to utilize
outdoor space. Convention Centers and
Event Organizers will want to find ways to convert current unusable space into
prime event space. Facilities will need shelter
options for longer ingress lines due to physical distancing as well as to
provide shelter for processing and testing attendees (temperature scanning, for
example). Temporary structure systems
could be used to present sanitation stations and isolation booths for
guests. Outdoor events can use high-end
structure to create suites and VIP terraces for small groups, providing special
views of events. As a trade show and
conference manager with additional experience on the facility management side,
I can see the applications of temporary structures meeting the needs for the
next generation of events in the post COVID-19 world. (Sidebar: To all of my
event industry friends and contacts, I would love your feedback and thoughts
regarding the need to consider space expansion, outdoor options, and ingress
practices as shows and facilities re-open.
Should be a good discussion.)
John asked if I had interest in
jumping on board. Given my background in
both event production and emergency management (though IDCE), as well as
considering the application of the skills I have developed in the trade show
world to his company needs, I decided to join his team. I am now working with
FLEXTC managing business development which includes sales, marketing,
communications, and public relations. (As
such, you will probably be noticing information from me via social media regarding
industry news / events which are associated with temporary structures as well
as disaster response recovery, trade shows and conventions, convention center
facility expansions, sporting event hospitality suites, stadium embellishment
suites, long-term structure expansion, etc.
Now you know why.)
My point: As the pandemic continues to stifle the
events industry, we still need to work.
As shows and events slowly return, it will be quite some time before the
industry returns to the size and scope it presented pre-pandemic. With minimal opportunities available in the
industry for the foreseeable future, ALL of us need to realize that we have transferrable
skills and experience that can be applied to other industries. I'm not advocating jumping ship from the trade show and events industry. It will return! But it can't hurt to have employment in the meantime. And YOUR SKILLS ARE IN DEMAND!!!
In my case, I was fortunate due to my
experience in the markets FLEXTC is serving.
But it goes a bit deeper than this.
Skills are learned behaviors and abilities. As show pros, we have unique experiences and
have developed a combination of many skills that can be applied to other
industries. Each of us need to do a
self-assessment, identify these unique transferrable skills, and determine how
to align them with the opportunities that are there. What are our core competencies that our event
experience has developed? Examples –
-
Action-Oriented
-
Approachability
-
Ability
to Multi-Task
-
Abstract
Thinking
-
Accountability
-
Attention
to Detail
-
Creativity
& Innovation
-
Customer
Service
-
Conflict
Management
-
Financial
Management
-
Leveraging
Diversity
-
Political
Savvy
-
Strategic
Thinking
-
Strategic
Agility
-
Strong
Communication Skills
-
Strong
Interpersonal Communication Skills
-
Team
Building
-
Vision
We are all fortunate to have the
skills we possess and have the trade show world to thank for them. Think outside of the box to see where your
skills can be applied until our industry returns. Then present your
unique skill set as the solution to these opportunities. Not many other candidates will possess what
we possess, nor realize how to bundle and apply these learned and developed skill
sets for new environments. As trade show
pros, we get it. The needs we meet
change from show to show… from event to event.
We are the most nimble and possess the most agility. We prove it time and time again. We are a unique resource. As such, we are a unique solution.
Hang in there industry friends. We will get through this crazy time… and will all be better for it. And if you have a need for our tents, structures, or services, SHOUT MY WAY! You can find more information on what we do on our website – https://flextc.com. (Yes… since I am running marketing & communications, I did build this website).
Stay safe!
Jimmy
