If a blueprint was required for the South African staging and production industry skills development to progress to the first essential steps, the Live Events Conference which took place from 13 to 16 May certainly was the perfect launch pad.
The international presenters from Britain, Germany and Australia pinpointed the technical skills development from their particular perspective and within their environment.
It is usually a challenge for international presenters to glean, in advance, the knowledge levels of an audience and, although there appeared to be a tendency to underestimate the audience’s in-depth experience, the Academy’s highlight was Randell Greenlee of the German Event Technology Association.
Greenlee’s presentation left no illusion of the high standards and best practice within his association. The information for South Africa going forward was outstanding as a yard-stick to strive for.
There was a gold thread which intertwined among the international presenters and South Africa is well advised to heed the underlying message:
- Skills development together with standards and best practice are trade industry-driven via well-managed, focused member associations with clear objectives who represent at least two thirds of the entire industry.
- Members set the skills standards and as a formidable collective, the government isadvised that association members are the only ones to be recognised as members adhere, are monitored and controlled according to the standards as laid down by the members.
- No government financing was evident from the international presenters.
The first steps for the current South African maverick technical skills industry are clear:
- First and foremost is an in-depth audit of the entire national industry – the employers, employees, freelancers et al.
- Secondly the amount of annual ‘gigs’ plus the varying types from major budget entertainment spectaculars, MICE projects within the private/public sectors as well as lower capacity AV undertakings, both internal and external entities.
- An umbrella body established with appropriate name to encompass the entire industry.
The conference outcomes were clear – that getting ‘all the ducks in a row’ is the only way the excellent inputs will be effectively realised going forward.
Planning any event takes a number of prerequisites to be successful. Despite time constraints and last minute changes to name but a few of the challenges, the Live Events Conference was excellently managed by Cape Town-based Incredible Events – well done to Isabella and her team for a job well-done.
