International Confex: Group therapy- Why is burnout still sexy?

International Confex 21’s Let’s Do London exhibition hall saw its second discussion, 1 September, held under the title ‘Group therapy: Why is burnout still sexy?’. The panel explored why during the pandemic we seem to be working harder than ever and what effect it is having on us. Speakers for the event included Shonali Devereaux, co-founder of Diverse Speaker Bureaux; Rhiannon Kirk, senior sales manager at Delaware North UK; Emily Pritchard, C&E sales manager at The Kia Oval; Cecilia Lavin, head of EMEA sales at One World Rental; and Benedicta Asante, founder of Events 101. Kirk believed that the “grass would be greener on the other side of the pandemic, but everyone I have spoken to feels overwhelmed”. Kirk was concerned that “we are sliding back to 5-10 years ago” – a time before there were strides towards improving mental wellbeing. Pritchard added that “we need to say this out loud” and take this opportunity to make change within the industry. The speakers concluded with three commandments that could be used to redress this balance. Firstly, ‘practice boundaries without guilt’. Secondly, ‘practice empathy for other people’s boundaries’. Finally, to ‘practice a culture of communication’. International Confex runs at ExCeL London, 1-2 September