2019 has been an exciting, interesting and at times challenging year for the exhibition industry. There has been plenty of talk of Westminster and uncertainty over the dreaded “B” word. Yet despite outside unrest, it has been a busy year, as it always is in our business, although there is a feeling that this year has been even busier.
Speaking to suppliers and peers, the general consensus this year is that one of the hardest working industries seemed to be doing more hours whilst still maintaining quality standards and producing some amazing work – it’s staggering to understand sometimes where this strength comes from with long hours, weeks at a time without a day off including weekends and being away from loved ones, all of which can take it’s toll at the best of times, let alone in an industry where things need to be done well, but done fast. Which is why it is so important to have a great team in and around you.
I am very fortunate to work alongside some amazing, talented people from carpenters and joiners with years of experience, exhibition stand designers, project managers who love what they do, labour staff who always have a smile on their faces and exhibition management teams who are all about finding the quality within individuals, helping create opportunity. When you have a team around you like this who want to help each other and want the company to be success, you are always going to be onto a winner.
A Fond Farewell To An ESM Family Favourite
Unfortunately for us this year, we will be saying goodbye to Patricia Henderson, although she hates being called Patricia so it’s Pat to you or Patty to close friends. After almost 19 years with ESM, Pat is finally deciding to call it a day. She is not a fan of the word retirement, she prefers zero hours!
Even though Pat has been with us for so many years, it was always a rare occasion to find Pat out of the office unless at an ESM social. The chances are if you have called ESM over the years then Pat and her friendly voice would be the one that you heard on the other end of the phone. In 18 years, I believe Pat has left the office on time 4 times, despite our best efforts to get her out the door beforehand, such is her dedication to her job.
Pat has seen through a lot of technologies in her time with us from regular trips to the post office to the changing of fax paper to looking after the one and only ESM email account, distributing and replying accordingly through to today’s fast paced communication and everything in between. It’s hard to sum up exactly what Pat has done for us over the years but it’s safe to say that the office may have crumbled without her. What she has done for us as exhibition stand manufacturers may go unnoticed to those on the outside but certainly not to us. I would go as far as to say that Pat has been the back bone of the ESM office and we are going to miss her hugely, although no one can begrudge the time she will get to spend with her family, especially her adoring grandchildren.
So on behalf of everyone here at ESM, Happy RETIREMENT Pat !!!
Thank you to everyone who has supported ESM this year, it has been great working with you all and we look forward to continuing to build some fantastic exhibition stands for you in 2020.
Merry Christmas
Ross
Sales Director, ESM