There are rumours circulating in the events industry about what will happen in 2012. ISES UK believes that rumours need to be qualified and challenges to the industry noted. The essence of these rumours is that the supply chain and its elements (venues, equipment, skills and infrastructure) will experience new challenges due to an unprecedented increase in demand. This is envisaged over the summer of 2012 when a summer packed full of events, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Cultural Olympiad, Olympic and Paralympic Games are taking place. However, there is also talk that some of the organisations in the supply chain are planning remedial actions in order to face these challenges in the lead up to and over the Olympic period. This is based on investment and strategic management arrangements in order to increase the capacity of the various elements within the supply chain.

The research proposes to explore the perceptions of the various stakeholders that make up the event supply chain. This includes organisers of Olympic events as well as other event organisers, before and during the period of increased demand (June to September 2012). The research is focused on identifying what actions have been taken or are intended to increase supply capacities. It is envisaged that this research will inform decision-making by the UK events industry on how to face the challenges resulting from bottlenecks in the supply chain and the actions that may be taken to avert these bottlenecks.

The research will take into account soft and hard measures that are being considered or already being implemented by the industry. Soft measures for example, may include recruiting temporary skilled staff, setting up new event management and staffing companies, which require little investment. Hard measures may include major investment considerations in venues, AV, sound and lighting and other event associated equipment. Part of the supply equation that also needs to be considered, is what happens once the Olympics is over, and how the supply chain will adapt to decreasing supply-side capacity in a sustainable way.

The International Special Events Society UK Chapter and Crewsaders are conducting the joint research project. The research is based on a robust methodology that will utilise a comprehensive survey as well as in-depth interviews with leading figures in the industry. The survey is going out to ISES UK members and industry professionals in early December 2011. The interviews will also take place in December 2012. The results of the research are to be published in the New Year.

The United Kingdom has gone from strength to strength in the global Travel and Tourism Competitiveness rankings according to a report published by the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Global Competitiveness and Performance.

The UK has moved up from 11^th place (2009) to 7^th place (2011) in the global rankings. It has been ranked as the 6^th most competitive Travel and Tourism industry in Europe.

The events industry has played its part in this success. The UK was ranked as having the 3^rd best cultural resources in the world, with the exhibition industry contributing significantly to this ranking. The UK has been ranked as the 4th most competitive destination for providing international fairs and exhibitions. Crewsaders are proud to have played their small part in this success.

Full report available at: http://www.weforum.org/reports/travel-tourism-competitiveness-report-2011

Jeremy has been listed as one of the members of Event Magazine’s 100 Club. The 100 Club is made up of a poll of the most influential people in the event’s industry.

Jeremy was chosen for a number of reasons including his helmsmanship of creating one of the most successful crewing companies in the UK events industry. The company was founded in January 2008, and has surpassed its growth projections year on year by providing a premium crewing service to the industry.

The company has also contributed significantly to the skills required by our clients. Training costs for crewmen topped £25 000 in 2010. This spend is set to increase in 2011, with more crew being trained on the skills required to assist the many agencies, production companies and event suppliers that we work with.

In addition the company has been involved with many high profile events in the last year including the recent launch of the NFL at Wembley Stadium. Added to this, Jeremy’s commitment to advancing the industry’s body of knowledge, in order to add to its international reputation for professionalism and innovation is borne out in his commitment and sponsorship of a robust research agenda. Three research projects are being carried out in partnership with the International Special Events Society over the next nine months. The first project is already underway.

If you would like to see Jeremy propelled to the top of the 100 Club list because of his significant contribution to the industry, please follow the link: http://tinyurl.com/VoteForJez