Maugie: Christmas wishes…

Event industry stalwart, Maugie Lyons issues her very own Christmas wish list…

Some might say I’m a little old to be writing a Christmas wishlist, but in my book you’re never to old too be hopeful and certainly never too old to inspire…so here goes!

Firstly, I would like to see suppliers come together and stop the continual back biting and devaluing of the industry. Suppliers play a vital role in cost reduction and ROI and with spending still under the spotlight; they will have to up their game in order to survive. I would like to see suppliers and vendors consolidating their offerings to give buyers competitive quotes and the added value they need. This will also have a positive effect in creating dialogue between buyers and suppliers, and I believe there has never been a better time to start building relationships in this way.

Secondly, I would like to see buyers’ confidence restored. Perhaps the only way this is going to happen is if I’m granted my first wish. More and more buyers feel that suppliers just want to close the deal with no interest in providing a good service. I really believe that the key to resuscitating the industry is explaining to our clients how we help them, how we add value, how we help them engage their staff, how we facilitate the opportunity for doing business and how we can help them connect with their audience. Our clients are important and we should make that clear!

Finally, I would like to see more enthusiasm and less cynicism surrounding the Olympic Games. 2012 is a BIG deal. Not only will the games attract hundreds of thousands of sports lovers but also a huge number of business people brought over to enjoy corporate hospitality. This will be a real boost for the industry and in particular for hotels, caterers, venues and transport companies. The benefits have already begun with many countries starting to turn their attention to the UK to look for suitable training facilities for their athletes and hotels for officials. These positive effects will be felt for many years to come.

So, here’s hoping for a burgeoning 2011 and looking to forward to the benefits 2012 will brings us as an industry and as a nation. Happy Christmas!

PS. If there is room for one more request, I wouldn’t mind a party dress for the Christmas festivities. Chanel, YSL, Stella McCartney…I’m not too fussy!