Event managers left in a lurch

Event managers have seen their incomes drop as companies decide to tone down the event schedule.

KARACHI: While salons and shopping markets have reported a decline in business as a result of the floods in Pakistan, event managers have seen their incomes drop as companies decide to tone down their corporate events.

Most events being organised are fundraisers to generate money and support for flood victims.

Karachi-based choreographer Imran Kureshi says, “Events are primarily charity-based and this business has greatly suffered because of the floods.” When asked how he plans to generate income, he said, “I am looking into other activities and stuff to sustain myself.”

Event manager and choreographer Frieha Altaf told The Express Tribune, “Three mega events have so far been postponed — not cancelled but postponed. Many companies have moved their events to next year to see how things go further ahead. Currently, everything that we are doing is related to the floods and that is mostly fund raisers.”

According to Altaf, “Individuals and definitely expats are doing a lot of things, including holding art auctions and other events to raise funds. People in the Middle East and the US are doing a lot of fund raising events.”

However, Pakistani event managers - and socialites - thrive on the openings of designer outlets, cafes and restaurants, designer collection previews and coffee-table book launches that dot the social calendar. Altaf says, “Smaller openings of stores and shops are taking place.” However, she said, “People are keeping things tastefully simplistic. People want to celebrate but in a simple manner.”

Events have been scaled down in Lahore as well. Rida Sarfaraz from J & S told The Express Tribune, “Most of the events that are happening are either fundraisers or charity based. Corporate events have been mostly delayed or the funds have been diverted to flood relief. But restaurants, designer and brand launches are still taking place in the city.”

According to Savvy PR’s Aamir Mazhar, “There have been delays and nothing is happening in Lahore. I believe it is going to take another month for things to pick up again. Apart from a restaurant opening that is going to take place next week in Lahore, there is nothing else on (the list). Normal birthday lunches and lunches are on though, but people want a discount for events. To which I say thank you!”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27^th, 2010.