2 minute read
HRIA Events President’s message
BY ERIN JOHNSTON,
HRIA, EVENTS DIVISION PRESIDENT
Support is here while stability returns to the events sector
I hope everyone had a restful Christmas and New Year and managed to avoid any Covidrelated disruptions. I know the latest wave impacted many, and the thought that we could avoid infection altogether seems like a distant memory. For fear of sounding like a stuck record, in this issue last year, we were looking forward to the rolling back of COVID-19 restrictions.
Fast-forward 12 months and we now have every expectation that we will have pushed through the peak of the Omicron outbreak. And while all reports indicate a less severe variant, COVID-19 will no-doubt still be making its presence felt well into 2022. But like many, I am filled with hope that 2022 will be far more stable than the previous two years, with events, weddings, festivals returning to fulfill earlier disappointments.
Weighting guidelines
Recent events have highlighted the importance of securing your assets against the impact of wind and we would be remiss not to remind members of our weighting guidelines, which is freely available and located on the HRIA website under Information sheets. I have personally noticed many marquee structures, used for temporary Covid-testing stations, improperly weighted. So please make sure your structures meet the guidelines.
HIRE22
The HRIA convention is surely the highlight of the year for so many members and I, for one, can’t wait to be down in Adelaide, where our national president, Mark Burton, will play host to the industry in his hometown. For events members, we aim to offer advice on how to navigate the recent challenges of the industry. It will be well worth a day or two away from your business.
Staff
Finding and keeping the right people has always been a challenge in our sector. The transient nature of our labour means we lose exceptional talent as par for the course, which can often be hard to deal with.
So, when we’re faced with a once-in a-lifetime pandemic, which shuts down our industry, the collateral damage to our employment culture cannot be understated. This means we fight every day to get people back into the industry. At its worst, this means we have to turn away business because we might not have the resources to deliver to the standards we want.
In light of this, the association has sought to provide some relief in the form of recruitment partnerships that can assist across the country, from metro to regional areas, where available. In the coming months, the HRIA is investigating a series of arrangements that offer discounted fees, plus tips and advice on how to source the right talent.
For now, let me wish everyone a prosperous 2022. I look forward to collaborating with members through the next 12 months and I hope to see many of you at HIRE22 in Adelaide on May 25th and 26th.
