Chamber Patrons


NEC wants to open as ‘test venue’ for exhibitions


Future influencer: Luke Kulcycki is studying to become an esports expert


Esports course is ahead of the game


South and City College Birmingham is one of just three UK colleges to offer studies in one of the world’s fastest growing digital industries – esports. Esports – which involves


by Dan Harrison


Infrared cameras, new welfare protocols and sophisticated monitoring of customer behaviour are at the heart of a blueprint to return the region’s biggest exhibition venue to action. And the NEC Group could play a


leading role in kickstarting the economy following Covid-19, if the Government allows it to do so, says chief executive Paul Thandi. Mr Thandi says a blueprint based


around data, compliance and behaviour could lead to exhibitions running as early as September. He wants Government to


expedite the process by making the Solihull-based exhibition centre a test venue. The installation of thermal


cameras at entrances to detect anyone with a high temperature, a stricter registration process, the use of technology to arrange face-to- face conversations between delegates and exhibitors and new sanitisation and welfare protocols are among the measures the venue is planning to introduce. Mr Thandi said: “The things that the Government really want are


data, compliance and behaviour. We can actually accommodate all of that and provide a safe environment where the journey and circulation is controlled. “What we’re asking for is why


not make us a test venue? We can work with our customers because we need to do that in June so that we can say to them we’re opening in September. “That gives them chance to talk


to their visitors and exhibitors and say ‘this is safe and this is what we’re doing’. “This doesn’t just affect our


industry. It is also road hauliers, food, small businesses like plumbers, electricians health, safety workers and construction. “There is a whole load of people


that the Government is trying to help and they could help very quickly by turning the tap on in a controlled way. We’re giving Government options on how to restart the economy. We can minimise the risk more so than anyone else.” The NEC Group also operates the


Resorts World and Utilita Arenas and, with live concerts unlikely to return until 2021, Mr Thandi


revealed ‘drive-in’ alternatives are being explored. He believes the demand for live


events will be greater than ever when the worst of the pandemic has passed. He said: “Promoters take tonnes


of risk – they pay the artist a massive guarantee and, if they don’t sell enough, they’re out of pocket. “So to convince an artist to do


four or five nights at 4,000 to 5,000 capacity, which is what you’ll be limited to, just to get to 20,000 when you can probably do that in one go next year, is quite a difficult conversation. However, we are working on drive-in concerts and drive-in experiences. But I think the human spirit will return in droves. People will want a live experience more than ever before and they will value it even more. When it is safe, I think the experience economy will really benefit.”


This article was based on a Q&A session between Mr Thandi and Chamber chief executive Paul Faulkner. Watch the full interview on the Chamber’s You Tube channel.


University donates surplus food


University College Birmingham has joined forces with a community organisation to help combat food waste and provide support for residents in need. With campus buildings closed due to the pandemic,


the university has donated surplus stock of food and drink to The Real Junk Food Project Birmingham to be distributed around the city. Part of the wider Real Junk Food Project network,


TRJFP Birmingham collects food items that might otherwise go to waste and redistributes them through a team of volunteers who are providing food bags and additional support to residents during the Covid-19 crisis. The project also normally uses donations to produce


meals served in its community cafes around the city, as well as operating a 'sharehouse' in Winson Green, on a


'pay as you feel' basis. University College Birmingham delivered a range of


food and drink items to the sharehouse. TRJFP Birmingham volunteer coordinator Ann


Gallagher has also delivered talks to students, as well as working on research into the setup of community cafes as part of a community action group developed by the university. “Collecting the food has been really useful, plus it's


given people a chance to sample really good quality bread and cakes,” said Ann. “I have also particularly enjoyed the research into


cafes. It gives us a chance to have that intellectual discussion and work towards how we could do more with the students.”


playing video games competitively over the internet or networked computers – enjoyed a record year in 2019, with 4,000 tournaments and more than £170m awarded in prize money. But despite the size of this


lucrative industry, South & City College is one of only three UK colleges to let students study esports. Luke Kulcycki, 18, from


Castle Bromwich, started with South & City College as a Level 2 IT student. He has progressed to studying his second year of Level 3 Animation and Visual Effects, with an additional esports module. Luke is now learning about different jobs available in the industry, implications of law, business models and sponsorship, together with how to set up tournaments. Not only are students planning to set-up their own tournament, there are plans to create a competitive South & City esports team. Luke said: “The game is


really important when playing competitively. A player of one game who then changes to another, is like a professional footballer then becoming a basketball player.” Luke is dedicated to playing


Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) online up to 30 hours a week in a team made up of players from all over Europe. Once he has completed his


course, Luke wants to join a professional team, while becoming an influencer within the industry.


June/July 2020 CHAMBERLINK 29


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