It seems to have been a rollercoaster event for the management team behind the first Vision Bristol, and the attendees certainly came away with lots to digest. But it wasn’t all about Bristol.
I interviewed Gloucester-based Steve Garratt, of video production agency Giggle Group, who made the motorway trip to Bristol, to see what he thought of the 2-day creative fest.
1. What were your main reasons for attending the first Vision Bristol conference?
I really came with very low expectations. One finds these things can be quite self-serving, and an attempt to generate work for the speakers. Although the first session after the keynote yesterday (Wednesday) was a confirmation of my worst fears, thankfully from then on it’s been far more productive.
I have struggled with the monicure vision: although some sessions clearly had vision there hasn’t been much about a combined vision, and I’m not sure I really understand what the event stands for, or where it goes from here. However, I would come back, based on the quality of the speakers I have heard – and in particular the networking, which has been excellent.
2. How has it performed for you in terms of developing Bristol contacts, industry information, access to new opportunities?
Who knows? We have met with a lot of very interested like-minded people and stretched our hands out to some people who we would struggle to normally get in touch with. The proof will be in the pudding. In the spirit of Blair Enns though, it’s very much down to us as a business to nurture and convert these new relationships – and turn them into something meaningful.
3. Why was a Gloucestershire-based agency interested in a Bristol-centric event such as Vision Bristol?
Because location is increasingly less relevant and a good business keeps the competition close. We want to let people know who we are and what our position is, and we want to see who the competition are, plus understand how they are positioning themselves. In addition, they don’t do this kind of thing in Gloucester.
4. Who have you connected with who has changed any of your business perceptions, and how did they do it/what did they say?
I think a lot of people will be saying this, but Blair Enns showed the greatest sense of a new vision.
I love the fact that he practices what he preaches as well, he is focused and driven, and never deviates from his core offering. He lives his message and this is very powerful, which re-enforces his message even more. Can we win without pitching? Who knows, not yet. We are too generalist, as we stand although we have specialized a little we need to go further and become more focused.
5. What have been the high and low points of Vision Bristol for you as a creative Agency MD?
The high point was getting my business card into a few very exciting hands. Doghouse were a great new contact and I hope something we can build on. We are very similar in size and ambition and that’s always a good thing.
I have about twelve business cards in my top pocket and I would hope to convert at least three of those into business.
The low point is perhaps the realisation of how crowded the marketplace really is, and how difficult it is to get your USP out there. We are a production company, we do VFX for broadcast and we are developing our own IP. Unfortunately, the key USP is not the same as the one which will currently generate the highest revenue.
6. Would you visit again next year? If so, why, and if not, what needs to be improved?
I will look out for this event next year and make a decision based on the speakers, rather than the event itself being a must-go.
For me Bristol Vision lacked a bit of identity – this might be down to my own engagement with it, but there were a lot of delegates who were a bit surprised by who wasn’t here rather than who was. In terms of networking it needs to penetrate into some of the bigger institutions in Bristol, such as the BBC.
I would absolutely recommend my head of business development attends, as the focus of the event was geared in that direction.
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