COVER INTERVIEW: ERIK JUUL-MORTENSEN
“A large proportion of those exhibitors are back this year, plus some new companies, so it looks good.”
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onboard from last year.” Before TRBusiness even gets
a
chance to ask, Juul-Mortensen pre- empts the next question. “I know what you are going
Security: a sign of the times Juul-Mortensen is not unfairly critical when he says that this industry has been a little slow to embrace digital technologies, but he does say that he thinks it is catching up now. “I think the Digital Village will
continue to grow, because I think there’s a market for it. I think we will have to change the format a bit again. But we are willing to do that, to listen and adapt. The problem we always have of course is space so we’ll have to look at that again.” Of course, as is often the case
with any large exhibition, the TFWA Cannes show does attract some criticism for various issues. Last year it was the Palais security, which came under fire for delaying delegates at the entrances far too long, which made them late for morning meetings. “I think the most prominent issue
we had last year was security,” admits Juul-Mortensen. “We have had to increase security fencing all around the Palais [following the terrorist incidents in France and in other parts of Europe], but we didn’t quite get that right, which meant that in the morning for instance we had queues of people trying to get to their stands and it was all very, very difficult. “So we have taken that on board.
We will still have to have the security clearance before you get into the Palais, but we are adding to the number of gates and we are also segregating them better so that if you need to go to your stand, you can get back quicker and you can get to your meeting at 9am.” Juul-Mortensen makes the valid
to ask me…is the event going to stay in Cannes? As you know the cooperation we have with the City of Cannes and the owners of the Palais and indeed all our local partners in Cannes is very, very good and it’s gone from strength to strength. “They know what we want, they
respect us for what we stand for and we have a very good cooperation with them. “As always when it is due we will
ask our members and delegates what they think. However, every time we have done that, including last time, people in a vast majority have said the following: ‘Yes, we know there’s not enough space, we know hotels are expensive and that there are not enough of them and restaurants are expensive etc., but for goodness sake don’t move’. “Whether that mood will continue
I don’t know, but should the vast majority turn round and say, ‘no it’s time to move’, we will definitely look at other alternatives. There are other possibilities out there that we could look at and have looked at in the past. But for now at least our cooperation with the City of Cannes and our local partners is very strong.”
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Delivering on objectives TRBusiness asks Juul-Mortensen if he expects attendance to remain high if the central venue and surrounding establishments continue to increase prices. “I certainly appreciate that sending
point that although the association is trying to tackle the problem, the increased security is a symptom of a socio-political ill that no one can contain. “People will have to take on board
that this comes as a result of the time we live in I’m afraid. So, people will need to give a little more time to ensure they are there for their 9am meeting. But that’s a typical example of what we are changing and taking
OCTOBER 2018
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a delegation or just a few people to Cannes is a major expense; flights, hotels and meals. It is expensive. “It really is up to us to make sure
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that those that do come get the maximum benefit out of it, both in terms of the exhibition as well as the social networking and events. We must make sure we deliver on all parameters.” However, whilst the show attracts
criticism for perennial issues such as those mentioned above, the show remains to be of a very high standard and is still considered to be the most important industry event in
I have always felt that, even with competitors when I worked with Maxxium, it was great to meet up with them and you were still able to talk. That’s one of the things I will really miss…” «
“This industry does meet many challenges that we do need to get together and talk about and see what we can do, but it’s a great industry and that’s one of the things that I will miss…I will miss the people in this industry.”
Erik Juul-Mortensen, TFWA TRBUSINESS 33
challenges that we do need to get together and talk about and see what we can do, but it’s a great industry and that’s one of the things that I will miss…I will miss the people in this industry. “There are some great people and
The TFWA continues to find ways to combat its exhibition space restrictions.
the calendar. “I think you are right, and I am
pleased to hear you say that,” adds Juul-Mortensen with a smile that can be detected in his voice. “One of the strengths of the
association is and has always been that we do take on board what people tell us and if we are being told something or experience something negative for ourselves one year, we do take it onboard, we do look at it and we do change. We rethink and adapt to the situation.” All in all, Juul-Mortensen believes
that his last show as TFWA President will be another productive event. “This industry does meet many
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