2020 what a year......

Well. What a year! I am extremely glad to see the back of it, that is for sure. In March, we really didn't know what was going to happen, any of us. I've always enjoyed working in a fast-paced environment and reacting to crisis, maybe it harks back to my early days in crisis comms and event management, but this felt like something very different. Given there wasn't anyone to look to; no one had experience of dealing with this sort of crisis. 

 However, I was so pleased with how our team at Place stepped up to the challenge. 

 It is easy to say and to expect that they would, but given that we have a young team, it was satisfying to see how they all took on the situation, with the gravity it needed. They set about making sure that it was business as normal for our 12,500 subscribers. 

 It was an odd scenario really, facing our three main areas of focus: the business core, editorial and events. One is fundamental - what needs to be done to make sure we survive? The second, what protections do we put in place to make sure that the news keeps getting published and our service is not interrupted? Then there was the third strand, EVENTS. Well, that took the biggest hit and the most thinking and rejigging. Given the success of this side of the business over recent years, a lot of our income and engagement is tied up in conferencing and business development networking.

 I knew we had to move quickly to protect our events and give the market a clear understanding of what Place intended to do. We owed it to our sponsors, our supporters, our readers and long-term clients. Change and uncertainty was going to be the hallmark of the year, I knew that, and the best way to combat that is clear communications and taking bold clear steps. Yes, there is risk in doing so but what is the risk to your reputation? To your relationships? I couldn't quite believe some companies insisting events would go ahead and effectively shutting down the comms until the very last minute.

 We moved all our events to Q3 and Q4. Which turned out to be the right move, not just for the companies involved in the event but for delegates too, as the spring and summer saw so many companies take to the Internet to comment, "do a Zoom" or deliver webinars that there was just too much noise to offer value.

 Credit again goes to the team for sourcing Remo, and adopting it to make a much better platform for the Place North West and PlaceTech events than other formats in the market. Sponsors liked the format and delegates could meet again for the first time in months, albeit via video at digital tables. Then came the challenging task of sourcing speakers, managing tech challenges, whilst continuing to cut through a very noisy online market space.

 One advantage we had is that for nearly 15 years we have been providing the market property with news online. We know how to cut through and how to offer digital communications. We have a loyal and very engaged readership who were desperate for quality content. Our readership boomed, it turns out we won 33 new clients during this year, all with differing requirements but one thing in common, a need to make sure they got results during a hard business environment. So, to them I say a big thank you for choosing Place during hard times, we know it is not an easy decision to spend during moments like these. 

 And then there were our existing clients. Some of the most engaged and committed companies in the country. They have been fantastic throughout; all very understanding of the situation and supportive even though we moved their marketing, we changed the product, and in some cases, like MIPIM we had to cancel or just move it forward to the "future". Had we not had almost 100% buy-in from our clients this year, I dare not think what might have been. 

 Basically, business is all about relationships and trust. Even if the client is a global player, it may need all your help during a difficult period. Even if we are a small team, if we can do it for you, we will.

 The pandemic will pass and I want all my clients, a lot of whom are more than just people I do business with, to be there after.

 So, all that remains to be said is a huge thank you to everyone who has worked with us this year. Also a special thank you to those people who spared the extra time for a chat or provided a sounding board through the year, you know who you are. 

 As soon as we can, we will arrange a meet-up and the drinks will definitely be on me.

 Have a relaxing Christmas, no doubt you deserve it.

 Dino