So busy, that I met myself coming back from work this morning!

Over the next few weeks there is a barrage of big events… with ASEL in the thick of it…

Wow! I have been busy! Really busy.

These days, I only have time for two hobbies. They are being busy… and complaining about being busy!

I’m not sure if I am getting things done… or just good at making lists!

And if I stop to take a breath it is not because I am procrastinating… I am just waiting for the right time to panic!

We have some great events coming up over the next few weeks. And with lots of preparations to be made, I am delighted with how the team have responded to the challenge…

First of all, we will be exhibiting at Retail Risk – London. Now ASEL has been a staunch supporter of the Retail Risk events for many years. So, you might expect preparations for this event to be routine. But this year it is going to be anything but…

In addition to our usual stand, as I mentioned last week, we will also be lead sponsor of the new Retail Risk Immersion Zone. The concept is to create a dummy store that not only showcases our technology and that of our partners, but to also provide an immersive experience for delegates during an incident.

The incidents that we are enacting will include scenarios such as armed robberies, political sit-ins, shoplifting and assault. Not only do we have the technology to coordinate, but also actors who will be playing the roles of the various protagonists. And in addition, we aim to have some of the delegates in the store participate in the scenarios too. I may even get involved… “Are you ready for your close up, Mr Hardy?” Well perhaps, on second thoughts…

During each incident, our tech will be capturing the action as it happens. And there will then be the opportunity for a debrief on the ASEL stand afterwards. There delegates can review what they have seen, and report back from their point of view on what took place… and then we show them what REALLY happened!

If you would like to pre-book your ticket for your preferred scenario, then keep an eye out in the Press for details, which will be announced very soon by the Retail Risk team. However, if you forget to do that there will also be the option to turn up on the day, but you may not get your number one choice of scenario to witness. So, watch for announcements!

Of course, this all sounds fine ‘n’ dandy, but when you get into the detail there is a myriad of stuff that has to be planned for and dealt with. Not least is the fact that we cannot get into the room until late the previous day to construct the faux shop area. We have only about 12 hours to build the store, link up all of the tech, stock the shelves, rehearse the actors and get ready for the first scenario. That is some challenge.

However, all of the above is nothing compared to the need to take everything down in 90 minutes to clear the way for the Pride of Retail Awards Gala Dinner. Otherwise, some of the diners are going to be sitting in Hardy’s Convenience Store looking out of the window to watch the Pride of Retail Risk Awards! Talking of which, we are very pleased to be joint sponsors (alongside Smoke Screen) of this new awards night.

The Pride of Retail Risk Awards has been created to celebrate the unsung heroes of our industry, in the very same way that the Pride of Britain Awards celebrates those who contribute above and beyond the call of duty to the nation.

I understand that the judges have reached their verdicts and that, as I type, a production team is touring the country capturing the inspirational stories of those that will be shared on the night! I also hear that a celebrity TV presenter has been retained to add a certain gravitas to the proceedings, which should be cool. And if you have checked the Retail Risk website, you will see that there is also a brilliant live band, The Kings, playing after the Gala Dinner, which features some of the best musicians I have heard in a long, long time. The dancefloor is going to be mobbed!

Then just a week after, on 2nd and 3rd April, we will be exhibiting at the Retail Technology Show at the Excel . I have seen the stand designs, and it is going to be awesome..!

We have a really exciting stand planned; one that will allow us to demonstrate drone flights at the very centre of the exhibition in complete safety whilst showing the amazing ways in which we are using this tech to help our clients secure their operations. There will also be a meeting space and a live interview area, where I am hoping to meet up with some of the good and the great of our industry and get their direct feedback on what’s happening at the event in general, and our industry in particular. It might be you!

I don’t know about you dear reader, but I am out of breath just thinking about it all… Add to list… find timeto do more cycling and fitness routines!