We need face-to-face conferences and exhibitions to grow

摘要

Did you hear that? It was the applause given to me by 40 zoom attendees at the recent presentation I gave to Rotary on the mental health of firefighters. Of course, you heard nothing, and I did not expect anything as this is the new normal, or is it? I just finished counting up the conferences cancelled since 1 February, the number came to 43 and these are just the ones that came to my attention through Asia Pacific Fire and the other four magazines in the MDM stable. I'm sure if I went in search, I could find many more conferences and associated exhibitions in our sector that have been cancelled. We are overcoming the problem with webinars, zoom meetings, podcasts and many other variations. There are those that are of the opinion that this is the way of the future, sitting in your office by yourself listening to people lecture you on different subjects.