CAPE: The 2020 Review
What a year. It wasn’t anything like we imagined, many have faced some of their biggest financial and emotional challenges ever, and I’m sure we’ll be happy to wave the year goodbye, but 2020 hasn’t been without its charms.
At the beginning of this year, I was already gearing up for one of my most difficult days, and that seemed to set the tone for the year. Making the best out of a tough situation and being grateful for what we have had.
It seems ironic that my biggest ‘live’ event of 2020 would be my Dad’s funeral yet in many ways, it also felt one of the most natural. Perhaps it was the fact we only had one shot at it, yet content in the knowledge everything didn’t have to come together all at once, but it felt perfectly balanced, and flowed effortlessly. I never felt so comfortable standing in front of a room full of people, supported by family and friends and recounting special moments. We were all so proud and I felt lucky to have had my Dad in my life for 34 years. Ever the entrepreneur I certainly share a lot of his traits!
I was contracting for CWT, venue sourcing for BP. Not quite as challenging as the 100,000+ rooms I’d been assigned to source for Amazon during my last stint, where the thought of constructing a temporary hotel wasn’t totally out of the realms of possibility, but under the circumstances it was the ideal role. If I hadn’t opened Pandora’s box of founding CAPE before meeting them in 2017, I could easily have settled at a company like CWT. Like other agencies I’ve had the pleasure to learn from, they have some great strategies in place and even better people. I couldn’t have asked to be welcomed to a nicer team and am hugely grateful for the support from Katherine Bell, Joanna Millie, Carmen dos Reis, and Marie Lewis.
A FAM trip to Prague, I finally had the chance to see ‘Prague on Broadway’, and be a guest for a fabulous weekend of food, cultural and networking in one of my favourite European cities.
A converted runner since 2016, days out with Fulham Running Club at the Cross Country London Champs and the Nationals in Nottingham were full of muddy fun, and I squeezed in a trip to California to take on the LA Marathon before the world went into lock down.
Our first lockdown felt somewhat of a blessing, and the most time I’d had off since launching the business. I welcomed some time out to reflect and reset and having moved out of London to support my Mum at the beginning of the year, and settled back into rural living.
It wasn’t long before the diary filled up again, kickstarting in May with our internship programme which went digital, and for the 3rd year running welcomed a great student from Kingston University in Eden Mitchell, the placement being part of their studies.
Following the tragic death of George Floyd and the prolific rise of the Black Lives Matter campaign, Eden wrote up her own piece and I was encouraged by her professionalism and honest approach. I only hope I can become as efficient in writing to the point on such important issues.
For the first time, we took on a marketing manager in Abby Shapland, who has worked wonders in refreshing our branding, and started work on a new website with the lovely Enyo Agade.
We opened up opportunities for further placements to new graduates from the University of Westminster and welcomed Zuza; following a 3-month internship, we were delighted to offer a paid position to continue with us.
Trips to the Swiss Mountains and the Hampshire Pigsty provided the perfect summer getaways, even just for one day, blending venue visits and sporting adventure to give a much needed boost before diving back into virtual.
Supporting Seren Events as they turned the AMEE Annual Conference virtual, we created a sims-esque exhibition. Putting project skills to work, learning while earning, and having the opportunity to run around in heels without the pain, this event was a treat to work on. A big shout out to Nicola and Chantel at Seren Events. It’s women like them who have continued to inspire me in the running of my own business, having the courage to take on projects that have never been done before, and delivering them in style.
Growing on our sporting experience, CAPE become an approved broker for the Rugby League World Cup in 2021. We are really excited to support the ground breaking tournament, which brings together men’s women’s and wheelchair games in England next year, and have taken on a new Account Manager in Ella Clarke, formerly at CSM, to help grow our profile. Ella has been full of enthusiasm and drive and is currently spearheading the first of our own webinar series, Hospitality Uncovered. Looking at the hospitality industry at sporting events, and the social benefits they can have across communities we have our first event planned for 13th January and will be opening registrations at the beginning of the New Year!
We’ve enjoyed lockdown learnings from the likes of Duncan Wardle, Rory Sutherland and Cally Beaton thanks to the brilliant team at JLA Speakers, and continue to engage and learn from everyone around. It’s not just the big ticket names that inspire CAPE, it’s the people at the heart, that are there day in day out, that continue to support, encourage and believe. Since the rest of my team at THG Sports all left 5 years ago now, we have gone on to bigger and better things, yet are as much of a unit today than ever. Big thanks to the hospitality grace of Carmen, Tatyana, Ivy, Pamela, Tassia and Rita.
The last few weeks have been especially challenging and the latest lockdown will come as a big blow to many. I often feel more alone even when there is the freedom to travel, so sympathise with those struggling, whether on their own in person, or in mind.
We’ll be kickstarting the New Year with the @redjanuaryuk initiative, and encourage you to join us on the journey, getting active everyday and connecting through hospitality each week.
2020 has really encapsulated the true spirit of CAPE. It is through our greatest challenges we learn the most, we adapt, and find new ways to shine.
Here’s to a better and brighter year ahead in 2021.
