It all has to change in the events industry, and it should.

Its not nice out there at the moment in media land, in fact it's terrible for most of us in every business, however, it's nothing compared to the losses throughout the world in human life and suffering. The amazing job all of our emergency front line staff are doing every day makes me very sad when we see what they face on a daily basis. When this is over we need to have a grown up discussion how we all contribute more to this resource to keep it. Our perspectives on life have to change and what was before and is now shouldn't be what we have in the future.

Over the past 30 years I have sold and attended 100's if not more trade shows, exhibitions, conferences, round tables etc across many industries worldwide. Seen them all, enjoyed many, wasted time with others. Good ones bad ones, Been hungover, had food poisoning, done some good business and travelled hundreds of thousands of miles to get to them too. What I've seen on a grand scale that has never bothered me until recently is the excess.

Companies that balk at supporting other platforms with the 'no budget' excuse, that are incredibly relevant but then occupy huge areas with the most intricate and mind blowing stands. They then take along 50 staff to these shows for the week, supply copious amounts of free food and booze to anyone that passes by and then pat themselves on the back at how successful they are. Sorry guys these days are over for the foreseeable future. We will now I'm sure be entering into an era of frugal and prudent spending. Whilst the big behemoth shows have pillaged and plundered budgets for every penny over the last few years without any consideration to the exhibitors, other smaller events, publishers or content producers.

Exhibitors and sponsors won't have the luxury of virtually unlimited event budgets. All companies are now going to have to look at smaller spaces at shows, less elaborate stand costs, fewer staff numbers and maybe even smaller more targeted shows. Personally I think that's a good thing. In these difficult times I've discovered that whilst the big supermarkets are more than happy to take my money, the smaller little shop I'd forgotten closer to home often has everything I need and I'm supporting someone that actually needs my money to survive. The same principles apply to events. I'm not suggesting for one moment not to attend. Im suggesting that rather than lining the pockets of huge corporations with a presence that has wastage, just stop and think. We are still expecting terrible times ahead and optimism is in short supply, however, we will come out of this different people with different needs and changing perspectives. Our company structures and operating systems will change. The way we do business is going to be very different for many years, so to all the big boys out there I say watch your back. you've had it your own way for too long. Necessity is the mother of invention (Plato).