At the risk of contributing more to a surplus of London 2012
content I have an overwhelming desire to record my views as we approach the end
of what looks like an historic benchmark in global events. I was lucky in the first ticket draw, way
back in 2011 and in the past few days witnessed the boxing and athletics. What I hadn’t expected was the quality of
organisation and incredible atmosphere.
LOCOG has staged an event to make everyone in the UK
meetings industry proud. To compliment
what, in my experience, was faultless organisation and logistics has been an
atmosphere of hospitality and welcome that might have seemed out of character
for London.
There were almost too many positive angles which, taken as a
whole, created this once in a lifetime experience. The stunning setting and structures of the
park (witness the flower meadow in my family photo), the fabulous success of
our athletes and the magnificent coverage by the BBC all played major parts. However,
the masterstroke was the recruitment of a massive army of volunteers who set an
infectiously happy and relaxed tone to the proceedings.
The fact that someone took responsibility for creating this
hospitality demonstrates how much smart thought went into the planning.
This confirmed once again that successful events are not
just about facilities and content, a host must also take responsibility for
creating the atmosphere to complete the experience.
