24 Jun Engaging with Scottish policy-makers: always bring parcel tape!
Anyone working in public affairs will know that after two years with little in the way of in-person activity, the corridors of power are once again buzzing.
The diaries of politicians and policy makers are filling up with report launches, receptions and roundtables. Nature (as the Twitter meme goes) is healing.
OVID has been playing our part in this, with an ever-growing list of events to connect clients with key decision makers and to shape the debate across healthcare and life sciences.
Much of this activity is centred on Westminster and Whitehall right now. But, while OVID is based in London, our clients operate right across the UK (and indeed globally). And since healthcare in the UK is devolved, the corridors of power extend well beyond SW1.
That’s why, earlier this month, OVID was pleased to organise a parliamentary reception in the Scottish Parliament, for The Eyes Have It partnership. Bringing together MSPs with clinicians, policy-makers, patient representatives and sector bodies, the partnership used the event to highlight some of the challenges and opportunities for eye care in Scotland, as the healthcare system emerges from the pandemic.
Despite being a Holyrood newbie, much of the event organisation process was familiar. As with Westminster, we began by securing a willing MSP host and sounding out the parliamentary events team for their availability. But every system has its quirks. For example, in contrast to Westminster events, invitations to Holyrood events are not allowed to include the logo of the Scottish parliament, the crowned saltire.
Of course, I wasn’t running the event alone. One of OVID’s great strengths is its network of specialist associates; industry experts who work with us on a project-by-project basis. In this case, our team was augmented by Devin Scobie, who has been working in and around the Scottish Parliament literally since its inception – he even got a perfect score in The Eyes Have It Holyrood Challenge! Alongside the Holyrood events team, and with the generous support of the event’s sponsor Stuart McMillan MSP, we made sure the event ran smoothly from start to finish.
One of the great things about working for a growing agency is that you get to try lots of new things. Six months ago, I hadn’t even visited the Scottish parliament. Now, I have worked with an MSP, prepared Scottish Parliamentary questions and delivered an event mere meters from the Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber, as Edinburgh basked in a late spring evening.
I learned many things in the process, but if I had one take away, it would be this:
Always bring parcel tape. Because no matter how smoothly set up for an even goes, you still need to be able to pack up the boxes afterwards.