Associations, Sustainability, the Bribery Act, Ethics, Students & grass roots help…plus other hot topics echoed around the auditorium of the Olympia Conference Centre on the 22 November. In a lively debate chaired by Paul Colston, Managing Editor of the Conference titles at Mash Media, the first ‘Conference Question Time’ was a success. A healthy audience of industry professionals were given ipads to make notes and vote on specific questions.
A distinguished panel of industry leaders including our very own MPI Chapter President Samme Allen were on hand to deal with some of the key issues in the meetings industry today. Other panellists included Simon Hughes, Chairman - Eventia; Jane Longhurst, Chief Executive - Meetings Industry Association; Philip Atkins, President – International Special Events Society (UK); Michael Foreman, Chairman of ABPCO and Chris Peacock, Chariman – Hotel Booking Agents Association.
Paul Colston kicked-off proceedings in true Dimbleby-esque style with the first question: Are there too many associations in the meetings industry? Most panelists were veering towards the consensus that ‘yes’ there were too many associations, however it was important to recognize that each association has their own diversity, strength and therefore space within the industry. Therefore, to some extent this sustains the number of associations within it; however, market forces would be the determining factor. The question over one big merger would not necessarily satisfy the needs of members. What the question did seem to evolve and get some form of agreement from panelists was the need to ‘share best practice’ and cut down on overlap in terms of research especially when it benefits the industry as a whole.
From this initial discussion, an audience member proffered an intriguing question. If the associations merged into one – what did the panel believe to be the three key goals they would aim towards? Samme Allen was quick to highlight the need for striving for greater ‘professionalism’ within the sector, whilst the ISES President felt ‘exporting the UK’s strength in creativity’ was of specific importance. The rest of the panel agreed ‘Regulation, education and professionalism’ seemed to be the core needs to address.
Discussions moved onto the question over how seriously the government takes the meetings industry as a valued contributor to the UK economy. The panel was of a consensus that ministers did not really ‘get it’, a phrase used over and over, and the fact that the sector has no ‘visible presence within VisitBritain’ as suggested by Jane Longhurst. The ABPCO President confirmed that ‘London & Partners allocate 1.5 members of staff’ to promote and attract association business to hold their events in London. The dissatisfaction seemed to be centred on London rather than the regions (and regional authorities) who seemed to be active in attracting and welcoming the meetings industry to their part of the country. Paul Colston suggested working more closely with civil servants and the UKTI representatives to lobby ministers as the voice of the industry could be a possible route forward.
The evening’s facilitator – Richard John (Events industry trainer and consultant) raised the issue surrounding the Bribery Act, at a timely moment. From a show of hands, the audience had very little knowledge about the specific dynamic of the ‘Act’ it was Michael Foreman of ABPCO who felt that the current regulation in the Pharmaceutical industry in terms of their ‘code of conduct’ is something that can be used as a link between understanding the Bribery act in the context of the meetings industry. This tied in nicely with discussions on ‘Ethics’ within the industry and what seemed to rise to the surface was transparency within the meetings sector especially when tendering for business – a level playing field is what is required from the outset of any bid, but such clarity seemed to be lacking.
The penultimate discussion point of the evening related to ‘Sustainability’. Once again Richard John asked the audience for a show of hands to find out who had adopted ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ practices within their businesses. Just a few hands were raised and there seemed to be a general lack of understanding towards the benefits of adopting such policies. MPI’s Samme Allen confirmed that there was an online toolkit that MPI had created for members to create benefits to businesses using Sustainable methods and this is something that should be shared around all the associations to ensure best practice within the industry.
Before the panel and audience disappeared for drinks and networking, the question over ‘How students were served by the associations and industry as a whole?’ was raised. MPI shone the brightest with a very diverse range of activities aimed at, as Samme Allen pertinently described as, ‘future leaders’ over the term ‘student’. MPI, Allen said ‘was a big supporter of future industry leaders with the ‘Young Achievers Award’ and working alongside IMEX with the ‘Future Leaders Forum’ and this was an integral area for MPI.
More ‘Conference Question Time’ events are planned in the future and they are a great opportunity to learn more about the meetings sector and find out what the associations can do for you personally, but also for the industry as a whole.