CEO's Message Sept 2022
Dear Reader,
As FY23 gets into full swing, it’s an exciting year for us at Cliftons. We’re marking our 25th year in business, and while much has changed, our commitment to helping businesses plan and deliver remarkable events remains stronger than ever.
In the past 25 years, we’ve seen business events shift from in-person to now incorporating a range of options. We’ve seen audio-visual progress from data projectors, crackly microphones and sound speakers to high-definition video, images, and surround sound for in-person events, live-streaming and on-demand playback options. Events are shifting from ‘be there or be square’ to flexible hybrid and virtual attendance formats.
Technology enables multi-location integration, a mix of hybrid and digital events and more. It’s an exciting time to be in the events industry, and no matter what comes, I think if we focus on what our audiences need, then events will continue to be a vital part of the communications, training and marketing mix for most organisations. The growing suite of engagement and interactivity tools available only keeps adding to the attendee experience and, I think, will continue to keep events delivering value for many, many years to come.
Another thing that’s changed in the last 25 years is businesses thinking more about their role in broader society. Cliftons is no exception, with ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) high on our agenda for the coming year. We want to ensure we create remarkable events with integrity, which means doing the right thing for the planet and its people. That means we’re taking steps including:
- Reducing carbon emissions, particularly around transport and travel through hybrid events and meetings
- Transitioning to clean energy
- Client carbon offset solutions
- Ensuring our venues use sustainable practices to re-use, recycle and reduce waste
- Promoting a paperless office and digital solutions
- Preserving human rights with a commitment to ethical labour and being aware of the issue of modern slavery and how to avoid it
- A focus on diversity, inclusion and equality, including team training and codes of conduct around gender, identity and accessibility
While looking forward is essential, we also can’t ignore the now. Despite a challenging economic climate globally, forecasts for Asia, Australia and New Zealand are relatively strong, with the IMF predicting over 2% growth for Australia in 2023 and 2024. Nationally, we have more personal savings than pre-pandemic, and employment remains strong. Yet, despite this good news, there’s undeniably some short-term pain ahead with inflation at a 30-year high (thankfully expected to peak later this year) and interest rates rising. A combination of these economic factors, alongside the disruption in global supply chains and natural disasters like flooding, means that many people are feeling the pressure.
Continuing to provide a forum for people to connect as people is one of the ways Cliftons can help through this period. If your team has been disconnected, now is an excellent time to plan end-of-year social interaction and team-building events. It’s also a perfect time for strategy sessions to brainstorm ways to ride out this current wave of uncertainty and develop new business solutions. And, of course, the time for end-of-year celebrations and Christmas parties is rapidly approaching (where does the time go?), with our team of event specialists to help you plan and deliver something exceptional.
We’re thrilled about FY23 and where the next 25 years will take us. The world has settled into a new rhythm post-COVID, and it’s exciting to see the energy return. Clients are planning a range of in-person, hybrid and virtual events for the coming year, with so much innovation and creativity around topics, concepts and delivery. The future is bright, and we can’t wait to bring these ideas to life.
If you’re looking for support for your next event, whether that’s a team building day, strategy planning session or a multi-city conference, we’d love to show you what’s possible. Our team can host you in one of our venues, or provide you with a virtual overview of the options that are available.
If you have feedback or questions please reach out.
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