'The industry is failing its people'. Agree or disagree? Last night, in collaboration with the Alliance of Independent Event Agencies, The Cambridge Union and MPI UK & Ireland Chapter, we hosted a group of wonderful industry friends in Cambridge to participate in the annual Great Debate. With HUGE thanks to Philip Greer and Katherine Connelly at University Arms, Cambridge for hosting us for a gorgeous afternoon tea, ahead of drinks and canapés at Hilton Cambridge City Centre with Catherine Merlini. Your hospitality, your support and your people were wonderful. Rachel Belliere-Wilson, Lindsay Conroy and Martin Fullard put up a great argument, with more compelling points than we can mention in one post, yet the overall winners were the opposition. Kate Nicholls OBE, Sally Beck MI FIH and Peter Hancock walked away as winners, drawing from their personal experience of our industry, and pride in our strength and diversity, and the opportunity for all across events and hospitality. Our industry is one built upon the passion of its people, the relationships we create and nurture, and the collaborative approach we all take in delivering above and beyond for our clients. I think there's a definite agreement that we can be better, but for the most part, the resounding feeling from the evening was that this industry is a joy to be a part of, bringing together the best bunch of like minded individuals with talent and expertise beyond measure. A fam trip with a difference, full of lessons and thought provoking statements that I am sure will have us all talking (and maybe arguing!) for a few more weeks yet! ---------- 🌳 We’re Vine Tree Connections - Emma Waycot, Marleen Mason & Rachael Boraston 🏆 An award winning representation company, working with MICE hotels throughout the UK, Europe & Worldwide Do you want to see more from us? 🔔 Ring the bell on our profile to be notified of all our posts ➕ Connect with us as individuals or follow our page 💬 Comment below to start the conversation - we'd love to chat! #MiceUK #hotelsales #MICEHotels #eventprofsuk #thegreatdebate #hotelrepresentation
Sam Trevenna
9mo
What a wonderful evening, and a privilege to be a part of it. Thank you Emma Waycot and Rachael Boraston for inviting me
Tracy Clark
9mo
Interesting topic and intrigued to hear more thoughts on it. It has certainly been tough along the last few years for this industry, but I must throw my two pennies in and support the idea that this is definitely a wonderful industry to be part of and to have such long-lasting business relationships over many, many years is very comforting and supportive.
Sabine Edwards, Kerry Walsh, Cathy Joyce, Daniel Agüero-Duplá - thanks for the opportunity to collaborate! 💫
Emma Waycot
9mo
A fantastic evening, well done to all the speakers. We voted with our feet, and i’m delighted with the result! As whilst there is always room for us to improve, our industry is not failing our people 😊
Gem Bassett
9mo
An enormous thank you for your kind invitation, such a special evening and wonderful company too, thank you all!
Emily Ward
9mo
It was a great evening, thank you for the invitation and the fantastic hospitality!
Sabine Edwards
9mo
Thank you so much for your support Emma Waycot and team Vinetree! We are a fabulous industry - we can and should do better in some areas but there’s no industry I’d rather be part of! Here’s to next year’s debate 🤩
It was an absolute please to host you all and a very fun night!
Sam Trevenna, Neda Tootoonchi, Heidi Williams, Gem Bassett, Emily Morbey, Emily Ward, Amy Woodthorpe, Zari Caan, Kate Scully, Matthew Curran, Gavin Farley, Colleen Gray thank you for joining us!