Yesterday I attended my first London Metal Exchange Week Seminar. As someone who is new to the metal industry, and a marketing specialist I was very excited to meet clients, competitors and industry experts, and I wasn’t disappointed. I’m sure my more knowledgeable colleagues will post about the speeches and discussions on the economic outlooks for metal prices, supply and demand but here’s a few observations on what stood-out to me.
iPad interaction
This is the first event I’ve been too where delegates have been given an iPad to enhance the experience, and it worked really well. For some it was a novelty to play with an iPad for the first time, but it didn’t take long for everyone to start playing with the tablet, reading speaker profiles, delegate notes and agenda. During the seminar the ability to have audience polls and ask questions was much appreciated – and ensured the normally torturous question-time microphone wasn’t required. The only thing I would have liked with the app was the ability to tweet about the event, as it’s was a closed-wall app. That aside it added to the event. Well done London Metal Exchange!
Glamour girls and giveaways
Looking around the faces at the seminar I was really heartened by the diversity of the participants – it shows how business and the world has moved on, and something the industry should be proud of. Seeing glamour models dressed in tiny paper dresses trying to drum up business for metal markers publisher just seemed anachronistic and a tad inappropriate to me. Beautiful girls, a dress I’d love to wear to wear to a party, but at a professional event with a diverse audience, I’ll stick to the Reuters cuddly monkeys and LME back cabs and buses (my son says thank you).
American energy
The LME Week seminar had a normal mixed bag of speakers, all subject matter experts and all with interesting content, but some with more impact than others. The US economist bought the session to life just one of his hilarious anecdotes was comparing the US election to the file ‘Alien vs Predator, no matter who wins we all lose’. Thanks Jason Schneker!
An impressive note for the future
The LME Week seminar ended on a high, I was really impressed by Charles Li, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing. He spoke with clarity and focus and made me feel that the London Metal Exchange is in good hands.
