“Voting” in between awards

AWARDS nights, in general, are always a happy occasion. But then, they could have the tendency to be a long affair, especially when there are six categories with 60 awardees to be announced.

At the TravelWeekly (Asia) Industry Awards 2008 at Bar None in Marriott Singapore on July 17, I was very generous with my precious tip to early birds: secure seats while they still could and witness the proceedings in comfort. We were expecting over 250 guests and the total venue capacity for both the standing and the seated was 300. Circulating amongst the crowd was encouraged but then there would always be those who could walk, talk and stand only so much and still continue to enjoy the night.

I intimated to one of the guests that we are mulling over having a formal sit-down dinner for the Awards Nights in 2009. The event would be more structured, where guests would be more comfortable and better fed. When the invitation to Awards Night 2008 was sent out, a few invitees tried to sway the events committee to make it a sitdown affair.

The guest I spoke with said that she actually liked the way the night was going, notwithstanding all the standing up it entailed. She opined that while the other option was the way to go in some industries i.e. finance and banking, travel trade is more fun and definitely less stiff. Thus, the cocktails that particular night allowed them to network and catch up with old friends at any given time while still being able to follow what was happening onstage.

She might have a point or two there. I attended a corporate governance awards night a year ago. It was a very orderly, black tie event where all the guests were ushered to pre-assigned tables. The programme ran like clockwork. But the over-all atmosphere was quite subdued. It definitely had none of the high-kinetic, atoms-in-motion feel of our awards night, when the best in the industry was feted formally in the midst of an informal, jovial affair.

But then, she might have a different orientation all together. So how would you like the next TravelWeekly Awards Night – cocktails or gala dinner?

Save for the slightest of updating, this column appeared in its entirety in my blog at www.travelweeklyweb.com. And so far, I have received one feedback from a reader, Leo. His take: “As a younger member of this industry, I really prefer the mingling part of cocktails. It’s such a great way to catch up with fellow friends, who we usually only meet once or twice a year in trade shows.”

Is it really an age thing or it is a professional or personal preference? Do let us know.