20 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH EVENT PLANNERS
Nigerians, as a people, are generally happy. In terms of celebrations, we tend to go overboard. We have excess of everything. Drinks, food music et al...we celebrate like there is no tomorrow and we leave no stone unturned to ensure everything is the best quality. The decor can be as flamboyant as we like and most times, one elaborate occasion is used as a yardstick to outdo each other. Many a time, these decors are astonishing and jaw-dropping! With events as grand as this, you can easily think you are in one of the beautiful countries in the world as the decor instantly transports you to fantasy land with all the lights, flowers and draping, not to mention the elaborate table settings. One can list at least 10 events in the past year that can easily pass as one on the grandest celebrations in the shores of Nigeria even by global standards. It all depends on cash.
Our champagne consumption is also notoriously second to none as people have spent tens of millions to ensure the flow remained constant. As of course, in the name of merriment, many a glass have been gulped down with relish as their ‘cups runneth over’. Aside from the ambience of the decor, there are also various colourful attires in display. Diamonds glistening on necks and wrists as air kisses are exchanged, expensive wristwatches displayed during the numerous handshakes and the most exotic, expensive and amazing fabrics showcased as the women parade the hall like peacocks as the lights capture their stunning attires. Not only that, in their exit, waiters are seen carrying armloads of souvenirs for the guests after an even of fun, gaiety and laughter...some fake, some real!
There were no masks. No gloves. No social distancing. No corona virus. Everyone moved freely like the world belonged to them. They temporary forgot their problems and issues as they happily mingled with friends, family and loved ones. But not anymore. Gone is the music. Gone is the dancing. Gone are the beautifully made up faces. All we have now, till the pandemic is over, are fond memories.
But these events could never have happened without the job of an Event Planner. They who put such festivities together, are now suddenly out of work. All there is now is the deafening sound of silence! No more deadlines to meet. No more sleepless nights in erecting structures overnight. No more coolers to store the drinks. No more catering, no more waiters or ushers. This week’s Covid 19:20 QUESTIONS series dwells of the fate of Event Planners during this pandemic. EXECUTIVE
EDITOR, RUTH OSIME interviews four of Nigeria’s most prominent Event Planners as they talk about their adjustment to the new reality, the way forward and their hopes for the future.