ADVERTORIAL
Five years supporting
the icon
Justin Craig, joint MD of LiveBuzz, tells EN about his passion for
International Confex, his love of the events sector and LiveBuzz’s role
in helping Mash Media make International Confex buzz
How did you first get involved with
International Confex?
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In 2013, Mash Media acquired
International Confex from UBM. At the time
Julian Agostini commented “International
Confex is an iconic event for our industry”.
LiveBuzz was in its infancy having only been
incorporated in 2011. Like the Mash Media
team we had a shared passion and genuine
belief that we could do things differently
and better. I had a strong relationship with
the Mash Media team and they asked if we
would be interested in tendering to supply
registration services.
Why do you love International
Confex?
Firstly International Confex (including its
co-hosted events) has soul. It has passion and
integrity. It’s an event for the event sector
served by a publisher whose life blood is
the event sector. I concede that all well run
commercial enterprises are focused on the
bottom line. But with International Confex
there is a genuine desire to service, support
and advance the event sector, a sector which
is such an important part of all our lives. It’s
delivered by a team who love this space and
that passion shines through. Equally I believe
it's delivered by a select team of suppliers and
organisers who really are the best at what
they do. A team that have built relationships
over time and dove-tail together to deliver
excellence.
Why is International Confex
important to you?
For LiveBuzz International Confex is our
showcase to the global events sector. It’s our
shop window. Equally it’s a validation.
A validation? What do you mean by
that?
The AEO and EN Awards recognised
LiveBuzz in 2018 as winners in the areas
of technology and customer service. Our
February 2019 | exhibitionnews.co.uk
company achieved record growth in 2018 and
retention has never been higher. Despite those
accolades, there is no greater validation than
being told you are doing a fantastic job by
individuals that you respect and value.
I love working with Liz Agostini and her
team, and massively value the relationship
I have with them. I equally consider Liz a
mentor, friend and sounding board. If ever I
need advice, I know she would be forthright
and honest in her answers – which is
invaluable in business.
Here comes the ‘but!’
Liz and her team are very tough task
masters. They expect the best. They are driven
to do things differently and better. They are
obsessed by making International Confex
a bellwether event for the global events
industry. And so they should. They’ve got
the eyes of the global event sector looking at
them demanding that they demonstrate best
practice and new ideas.
Mash Media have the choice of the entire
supplier community to use. They don’t have to
use LiveBuzz. It may surprise some readers but
LiveBuzz are appointed on merit and Mash
Media pay us a market rate for our work. We
have to deliver excellence and demonstrate
a leadership position. I have seen numerous
suppliers come and go over the past five years.
Why has your supplier relationship
with International Confex endured?
Relationships are the key. There are many
levels to what makes a good supplier. You
need the right technology and product. You
need the right team to deliver that product
and project. You need experience and an
awareness of practical implementation and
pragmatism. But the most important aspect
is a strong relationship on an organisational
and personal level. A strong professional
relationship means ‘working together’. Trust
is key to a strong relationship, it means
you can have strong opinions, and you can
challenge each other. When things go wrong,
you can get angry, but you can also forgive,
move forward together, and learn together.
Organising a game-changing and innovative
exhibition is complex and imperfect. It’s
equally stressful and at times euphoric. A
good working relationship allows for all those
things. It allows us to be humans and most
importantly it allows us to achieve success
together.
LiveBuzz delivers; we are cautious on
promise and high on delivery. In 2018 we
have enjoyed a 98 per cent client retention rate
across our portfolio.
Why does LiveBuzz exhibit at
International Confex?
For LiveBuzz there is no better place to meet
with existing clients and industry contacts. It
gives us the opportunity to say thank you and
to showcase our new developments.
Confex is the one time a year that LiveBuzz
externalises the success its been enjoying and
our presence reflects our brands position as
a leading provider of event technology and
booking solutions.
What are you looking forward to
most?
Seeing the event being successful. In
the past five years the reincarnation and
transformation of International Confex has
been so exciting. I am proud of how we have
worked as part of this team. This year is going
to be fantastic. Seeing the team, doing a great
job and being proud in that is very rewarding.
We deliver some complex stuff, but make it
look simple.
And yes – probably getting a little tipsy
at the networking drinks and having
some laughs with my friends within the
sector. Equally, we get on with most of our
competitors and some of whom I class as
friends, so its always fun having a catch up
and sharing stories.