The room was full of the usual banter between rivals and old friends catching up, conversations with clients, current and potential, and the kind of good old fashioned revelry that makes many print finance directors dread October’s expense claims.

More than that though, the atmosphere in The Great Room was about as far from being that of an industry in crisis as you could get.

To be fair, this is no more than should be expected of an awards gala really – because if you can’t leave the harsh realities of business at the door of the industry’s swankiest awards do, then when can you?

But it was still an impressive thing to behold. In fact, some people, for whom this was their first experience of the Awards, seemed positively awed by the, well, positivity in the room.

And they weren’t alone.

With disturbing headlines gracing the papers ranging from predictions of parity with the euro or details of the tough love the EU will rain down on us if we opt for ‘hard Brexit’ it’s easy to think we’re all doomed.

We’re not. Far from it.

From the many conversations I had, it’s clear that the industry is brimming over with opportunity, and it’s far from restricted to those that were deservedly up on the main stage at last week’s night of nights.

The opportunities are open to all, it’s just a case of looking beyond the doom and gloom and having the courage to embrace them. 

Darryl Danielli Editor, PrintWeek