Minutes:
The Chief Executive of ICC Belfast/BWUH Ltd. provided the Members with an update on the direction of travel for 2021/2022. She confirmed that a date for reopening had now been provided, however, the parameters in terms of capacity and social distancing were, as yet, unknown.
The Members were reminded of some of the key achievements from 2019/2020 and of the interim Mission Statement that had been agreed in April, 2020, in light of Covid -19.
The Chief Executive of ICC Belfast provided details of their SWOT Analysis, with key strengths, including strong business retention and market engagement throughout the pandemic, strong team engagement and the development of the hybrid delivery model which had received a number of industry awards. The uncertainty around reopening and restrictions to international travel were raised as potential threats to the business.
Details on a range of Strategic and Corporate Projects were provided, each designed to address a particular issue or ensure a strong return to the market, utilising both short term and longer term KPIs. The importance of supporting staff to return to the workplace was highlighted.
In conclusion, the Chief Executive of ICC Belfast again underlined the importance of the development of the hybrid model to event delivery, as well as the venues remaining safe and covid secure. She explained that their focus was to ensure that once reopened, the venues were sustainable, accessible and operating at full capacity.
The Director of Finance and Systems provided a financial overview for 2021/2022 which was currently based on a reopening date of 1st October, 2021. He suggested that, as this date was likely to be brought forward, it was probable that the anticipated financial performance would improve. He added that the Corona Virus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) was due to end of 30th September, and, whilst the hospitality industry was lobbying for further support, this remained an unknown area of expenditure. For these reasons the Members were advised that it was a challenge to provide an accurate forecast at this time, however, a greater degree of accuracy could be provided once more clarity regarding the easing of restrictions was provided.
The Director of Economic Development added that it had been a difficult year but, due to the work of the sales and marketing team in rebooking events, he was hopeful of a successful recovery, however, this would be very dependent of the operating environment that all events would be subject to.
A number of the Members commended the work of staff during a difficult year.
In response to a query regarding how prices would be impacted should capacity be limited to 30%, the Chief Executive of ICC Belfast advised that with respect to entertainment, it would be at the discretion of the promotor as to whether they wished to hold an event with reduced capacity. With regards to conferences, she advised that ICC Belfast would not be encouraging a price rise to the consumer as a result of reduced capacity. She added that as a result, many promoters and conference organisers were moving dates into the future in the hope of increased capacity. She also suggested that, while fuller capacity events were preferable, lower capacity events at the outset would build consumer confidence.
The Members of the Committee recommended that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to note the update which had been provided.