The winner will now take the stage...
There is growing scope for celebratory industry award events
Is the burgeoning prominence of TV shows such as the X Factor symptomatic of the fact that nowadays there is growing scope for industry award events?
I guess to a certain extent this is the age of the celebrity and within us all there is an inclination to be under the spotlight.
Is it hitting this “nerve” that makes us all sign up to the idea of industry awards? Sector awards, regional awards, global awards, lifetime achievement awards; you name it the container and other shipping sectors have now got it. But do they serve any useful purpose?
I’m certain that last statement will have prompted a number of well-meaning institutions and individuals to leap to their feet to question my question.
In my defence, I believe my observations are worthy of deliberation: I know a little bit about what goes on behind closed doors on the organiser side of the fence. And yes, you may have guessed it – such events are not always staged with aesthetic reasons in mind; the filthy lucre frequently comes into it.
This said there are certain of these events that rise above the “pile”. And I have to admit that only recently I attended one such event – the Containerisation International Awards – and not only saw the good purpose in it, but also enjoyed it.
These are well thought out awards, with due consideration given to who constitutes a creditable winner. The award to Safmarine was a case in point, as the Belgium line is entering a new phase in its history.
I can only say well done CI, great format and thank you – you get my award for award ceremonies, based on solid strategy and excellent execution, both of which are to be applauded. You set the standard for the rest.
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