What happens when you get engagement professionals together in a pub, in a heatwave, in London?

The answer to this is a lot of passion and good ideas!

Simon attended the first informal networking event designed for professionals working in community engagement across infrastructure, planning, and built environment projects.  It just so happened it occurred in a heatwave … in London … in a pub, on the 9^th July.

This event was organized by Sarah and two of her contacts – Mel Layton and Kirsty Jones.  It was born out of the frustration that in the UK there are very few institutions or bodies set up solely for engagement and communications professionals working in the built environment providing both networking and professional development/accreditation.  This is something Mel and Kirsty championed when they were living and working in Australia to great success.

The event was a way to meet peers and collaborators and start the conversation about what engagement professionals want and need … if indeed anything!

The gorgeous weather meant the glass of wine (or two) or the bottle of beer (or two) went down well after a hard day’s work and the conversation certainly flowed!

Lots of topics were covered including the changes we face in the profession, the opportunities the UK Government’s 10-year strategy presents, the impact of social risk on projects, the lack of professional recognition for engagement and communication professionals and our frustration at being brought onto projects too late.

For a first event, it was a success.  New connections were made and possible routes for the future of the network were identified.  Those that attended were tasked with going away and mulling over what had been discussed and thinking about what they would need from a network.  Sarah, Mel and Kirsty are keen for this to be something that is useful and not just another pitching or marketing event.  This means listening to those interested as to what they want from such a network. 

The mood in the room was optimism and excitement about what could be created and how it could evolve.

Watch this space for the next meet up in the Autumn!