It is hard to believe that one year on from my last Christmas post, the world is still in the grip of the Covid pandemic. Luckily, with the introduction of Covid vaccines, hope is on the horizon and, eventually, the pandemic will turn into an epidemic. However, we don't know the timescale involved and, in the meantime, we all have to learn to live with an ever-evolving new reality. Some of our members managed to stage successful events in 2021 and many more are scheduled for 2022. We wish them the very best of luck and hope that they can take place as planned. We were able to witness first hand that we are all getting better in finding ways to adapt to changing circumstances and during the year IFBSO shared some of the innovations and out-of-the-box thinking our members are applying to their events in a series of webinars. As an IFBSO member you will benefit from such experience sharing and membership enquiries should be addressed to the Secretariat: [email protected].
As the year is drawing towards its conclusion, so is my time as IFBSO Secretary General. It has been my absolute honour, pleasure and privilege to serve IFBSO as Secretary General, but after exactly 8 years in the role it is time for a change. I will be succeeded by Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel, IFBSO Co-Director and seasoned industry professional who served as President on the the IFBSO Board for many years. I am particularly pleased about the fact that in a newly expanded IFBSO Secretariat, I will be able to support the new "safe pair of hands" as Finance and Business Support Manager. From 1st January 2022, my new contact email address is [email protected].
Please note that the Secretariat will be closed for the holiday period from 23rd December 2021 until 10th January 2022.
We hope that despite the ongoing pandemic and restrictions you will have the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful and relaxed holiday season and would like to wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and every luck, success, good health and happiness for the New Year.
Renate Maddocks-Born
