IoD cancels its annual ball

Tuesday 14th July 2009, 3:00PM BST.

IOD chairman Gary Drinkwater

TWO of the largest events in the Jersey business calendar have been under review, in the light of the economic downturn.

The Institute of Directors annual ball, which in the past has attracted over 500 people, will not be held this year. And the Chartered Institute of Marketing annual ball may not take place this year if there is insufficient sponsorship.

Gary Drinkwater, the chairman of the Jersey branch of the IoD, said that it was ‘a commercial decision made for commercial reasons’. Mr Drinkwater said: ‘I feel that funds should be spent on holding seminars for businesses. We could not really justify spending this money on this occasion – we can’t be seen to be criticised for spending money on flowery things.’

Meanwhile, the Jersey branch of the Chartered Institute of Marketing is hoping to be able to go ahead with its annual event which attracts over 600 marketing specialists and guests. Last year’s keynote speaker was Sebastian Coe.

CIM branch chairman Steve Cartwright said: ‘We are continuing to do the awards, but it might be that we do not have a ‘grand ball’ environment and find a more economical way of recognising the industry’s commitment.

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1
Nick

July 15, 2009 at 3:51 pm

I do not know a lot about Mr Drinkwater, but can you tell me, is he an “Accountant” by profession?
Could this be a case of “every debit = a credit result ZILCH!”
Both these events would to me appear to be indicators to the outside world at large as to the state of this Island’s prime industry, and the marketing people’s attitude would therefore seem to be the correct course of action here.
Obviously I’m not suggesting OTT events, but most directors, and their other halves, can rustle up an appropriate outfit (How about making it only outfits from charity shops, as an idea)and I think Mr Drinkwater is forgetting it is also an opportunity for the Island’s catering industry to show off a bit (A factor he might find appropriate to highlight when deciding on a venue and negotiating a price)
And if it’s only his personal hair shirt he is anxious to inflict on everyone else he could always make the event fancy dress and turn up wearing it!Oh and if he’ll forgive a little joke I’m sure he’s heard many times before, as for personal choice of beverage for the night he could always attend but live up to his name!

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2
R B Bougourd

July 15, 2009 at 6:48 pm

That’s a shame.

Having seen all the recent pictures of school kids arriving at their “Proms” in limos and dressed like company directors, I was kinda hoping that the directors could all show up at the ball on bikes and rollerskates dressed in school uniforms!

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3
Rozel Aubin

July 15, 2009 at 6:55 pm

Well, there’s going to be some empty pages in “Jersey Now”!

Better run that article showing all the visitors to El Tico.

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