In 1986, the slow movement started in Rome. In Piazza di Spagna, in the historical center of Rome, McDonalds was opened, the embodiment of the American way of life, fast-food, a temple of haste. The Italian publicist Carlo Petrini was outraged by this fact and called for defending the “normal” pace of life, tempo giusto. Seek balance in life, and not participate in an eternal race.
Slow movement does not mean that everything should be done at a snail's pace. This is a call to do everything on time, without making compromises. In contrast to fast-food, when you consume a maximum of calories in a minimum of time, slow-food appeared, when you can enjoy the process of cooking, aromas, conversation and thereby enjoy life.
In addition to restaurateurs, the Slow movement was supported by journalists; there is a Slow journalism movement, within which journalists write analytics, conduct investigative journalism, and write essays, just like in the good old days. There is slow education, slow art and many other slow ones.
Slow movement is not for lazy people, but for perfectionists. You can't make a perfect thing faster than expected. Perfectionists cannot be rushers. These are the ones who, when choosing what is more important - faster or better - answer, better.
It seems that the moment has come in the profession of event organizers when the banner of Slow Events must be raised. The professionalism of the organizers has reached such a level that many things are done “on the fly”, just like that, because it has become possible. Instant program changes, final video editing before the show goes live, changes to layouts and instant printing have all become routine. Overloaded event programs - maximum fuss in minimum time. This is not correct.
The event agency completely changes the event program at the customer’s verbal request right before the start, and all guests expect that the entire team of organizers, dozens of people, will act synchronously and harmoniously. Although what they were rehearsing was just sent into oblivion... Why? Why do we have to sacrifice so much effort for the sake of pride - but we were able to, we made it. This is a sad, stress-related achievement.
Already, many agencies are refusing tenders that take 2-3 days to prepare. What is this for? Why, due to someone's poor planning, should professional and expensive specialists work through the night or on weekends to prepare a tender that takes 1.5-2 weeks? Good agencies will refuse such a tender and the rushed customer will receive offers only from newbie agencies who are ready to take on anything for the sake of a portfolio. Well, “get your teeth into things”, gaining experience, together with the customer, of course. Fast-tenders will not lead to anything good. After all, for the participants of the event, it does not matter how long the project was prepared: 2 weeks under hellish stress or 2 months in normal mode, with all the details thought through. Guests came for one evening and want to spend this evening well, only the result is important to them. And the competition for the attention of guests will be won by those who create more thoughtful events. Quality will surely win.
Therefore, I hope that agencies will soon be able to prove, and clients will be able to accept the fact that you shouldn’t push the director too often - the result will be better. That the timing of preparation and installation should be agreed upon, and not dictated. That you shouldn’t rush a good designer too much - he will make the layout better, have time to check all the symmetrical axes, and you will have time to check errors in the title on a large banner, for example. And everyone will notice that you should not overload the event program, otherwise the guests will not be able to enjoy it and will only get tired. Slow-food tastes better, and slow-events bring more happiness.
Tempo giusto awaits us - as a competitive advantage of quality. And let fast-events and fast-tenders, like fast-food, occupy their niche as a casual or inexpensive pastime.
