The team are fully engaged in both managing and protecting the charity and developing content and tools that mean that we can continue deliver our mission
Dear Colleagues,
I hope you managed to have a good break over the holiday period despite the increased restrictions and disruption.
I think it is safe to say that 2021 has begun in a rather turbulent and unsettling fashion for everyone.
The changing response to Covid-19 over the last twelve months means that we endured endless variants of closures, partial re-openings, full re-openings and now full closure once more.
The impact on our sector has been severe – to our physical and mental health, to our livelihoods, our morale and to the financial sustainability of our businesses.
As an Association we have worked hard to weather the storm to date, though obviously we are not immune to its impact. The team are fully engaged in both managing and protecting the charity and developing content and tools that mean that we can continue deliver our mission.
Our role, as always, is to support you and during this ongoing and difficult period we will continue:
- To develop and deliver excellent digital content and training
- To provide access to legal guidance and sector intelligence
- To support post Covid recovery through masterclasses and mobilisation plans
As I write this, the Covid infection levels are extremely high, however there is a major difference to the first lockdown in that we are starting to see a way forward, via the vaccine roll-out, which will eventually lead to the gradual re-opening of our venues and businesses. As an Association we will be with you at every step as we adapt to government guidance, visitor confidence and, I believe, a permanent shift towards a more digital world.
As a sector we are resilient and adaptable and we will respond to the new world creatively, as commercial people always do
Even prior to the current national lockdowns we had decided that 2021 would be ‘a year of digital’ for the Association, meaning that this would be our main focus for the delivery of events, training and networking.
To use an annoying buzzword I think our future business plan will encompass a more ‘blended’ approach to event and training delivery. Whilst digital has enabled us to continue our work through a period of crisis and has obvious advantages in terms of numbers of people reached, reduced impact on time, travel and their associated costs, I think most of us also welcome time spent together and the informal networking over a coffee or a glass of wine.
A new operational plan will emerge over the coming years therefore that will encompass a greater variety of events delivery models. For now, however, we will continue to operate primarily in the digital sphere.
As the Chair of the organisation I would like to commend the Cultural Enterprises team who have shown great adaptability, creativity and determination throughout. Primarily though I would like to thank you, as part of our Membership family, for sticking with us throughout this turbulent year.
As a sector we are resilient and adaptable and we will respond to the new world creatively, as commercial people always do. Moreover we will continue to support each other with compassion and humour and genuine good will.
I wish you all the very best for 2021,
Caroline
