news

December 2008

Welcome to the December issue of the newsletter.

Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you are all looking forward to a lovely break, lot's of yummy food and good wine over the festive season. It feels like Christmas has really crept up on us this year, perhaps the mild weather has something to do with that. I love nothing more than a white Christmas so I'm hoping to see some snow this year. It's seems slightly strange as back in NZ they will be breaking out the BBQ and swimming on the beach, while over here at home we tuck into turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and all the trimmings. Well now that I'm an official resident of the UK I can call it home! (Yes I passed that awful life in the UK test, actually not to brag but I did get 22/24, not a bad score for a girl from down under!)

November was a great month, we had the Eventia UK awards which were just stunning, the art deco theme with all the Hollywood glitz and glamour showed off the Troxy just perfectly, if you haven't yet checked out the pics take a peek here

Then we had EIBTM which despite the current climate buzzed with activity and exhibitors saying they received significant leads over the show! Fairmont were still investing in entertaining clients with a lovely chillout tapas bar on Monday evening. This was by far the most stylish event of the week set in a beautiful restaurant overlooking the city and complete with massage therapists and Maui Jim giveaways. ExCel hosted a quiet but sumptuous dinner for their ‘close industry friends’ at trendy city centre restaurant Noki that still had some revelers sipping mojito’s at 3am in a very cool hotel bar nearby. To top the week IHG held a truly magnificent dinner for a few hundred buyers across Europe at an Organic Farm a few miles outside of Barcelona, complete with lovely wine stopper gifts and a DJ to dance the night away. Most party goers ended up in the Cat-walk club at the Arts, although one industry personality made comments that he doesn’t understand how his colleague only made it home by 6am when the club closed at 3am…..ahem maybe it was a long walk down the hotel corridor. My only complaint of the week is why can’t the Spanish give up smoking indoors? Wasn’t it just dreadful that old feeling of smoke in your clothes and hair after a night out, we do forget how lucky we are in the UK to be smoke-free in our bars and clubs, come on Spain, get with the programme!

It's true that we are in the middle of a recession; cut backs are happening all around us and some people are suffering at a time when we should all be festive, celebratory and happy. Well the good news is that (as quoted by Duncan Reid) most recessions only last 11-12months so by the time you are right in the middle you are half way to the end!

So much has changed over the past few months and we are nowhere near the end of that change yet. But the great thing about change is that opportunity reveals itself, it can truly be a positive thing. You may have to look harder to find the silver lining, blow away some dust and cobwebs to find those hidden treasures you may have previously overlooked. I would encourage you to take this time out over the holidays to think about things and no matter what is mostly playing on your mind, if you give yourself time out, truly relax and allow your subconscious to work on it, you can find the best solution to any problem. I really do believe this, how many times have you been going over and over things in your head to the point where you can't sleep at night?? But if you just commit it to the amazing power of your brain and allow yourself to rest, you wake up with the perfect answer! It's so true and it really does work.

We have had a fabulous year at Eventia and I truly want to thank each and every one of you for making it the best ever. Our events have been well attended, thought provoking, informative and fun. And that is only because of the participation of all of the members coming together. This is my theme for next year, collaboration, gone are the days of fragmentation, let's embrace a coming together of the industry we all love so much, let's work together to break down the barriers between us, raise the standards and make this the most professional, rewarding and best industry to be in. When you hear from us again in the new year the merger will be fully complete with the BACD members officially a part of Eventia, so please welcome them with open arms and get to know them, they are a great bunch of people with a lot to offer the association.

So whatever you are doing this Christmas, I wish you a very happy & relaxing festive season and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Eventia International Awards on 6th Feb at Grosvenor House. Here’s to a great year ahead in 2009!

Merry Christmas,

Yours,

Izania