Future Faces welcomes return of in-person events

Real life events returned for the Future Faces Chamber of Commerce (FF) - as the organisation invited young professionals to join the committee on a 'Walking Tour of 'New ' Birmingham ', writes Claudia Congrave.

After a year of running 50 online events for young professionals, Future Faces were glad to kick start the Chamber 's gradual return to in-person events and offer the chance for members and friends to see what new developments have taken place in the city since the pandemic began.

The group were joined by Future Faces president Jaccy Datta, as well as committee members Kasim Choudhry, Sabah Hussain, Micha? Nowi?ski and Yung Lau who lead the group around the city 's landmarks.

Meeting with faces both old and new, attendees gathered to kick off the tour from Centenary Square.

There was a renewed injection of life in the city centre once again as families delighted in the square 's new makeover and made use of the dancing water fountains on a hot summer 's day.

Observing the newly unveiled Commonwealth Games countdown clock, the group were reminded of the magnificent celebration set to touchdown in Birmingham in just over a year 's time.

Kasim Choudhry also turned the group 's attention to Symphony Hall, shining proudly at the helm of the square following its significant redevelopment across the course of last year.

Moving on, the group travelled through Chamberlain square onto Colmore Row.

Though known to most of us who were born and bred in Birmingham, many of the group were introduced to the infamous 'Pigeon Park ' (or Cathedral Square, as it is officially known), who many recollected as a pit stop at the centre of the city 's bustling night life.

As a final landmark the group circled back to observe the city 's newly awoken beauty, The Grand Hotel, where Sabah Hussain shared the story behind the hotel 's £45 million refurbishment.

Daniel Nikolla, marketing manager at Hardy Signs, said: “I enjoyed the first Future Faces event in person.

“It was particularly pleasing to see everyone, most of whom I had only met virtually before. I felt that the netwalking event enabled us to create much more meaningful connections in just two hours compared to 18 months virtually.

“Despite various covid worries, I would love to see more events in-person moving forward.''

Vanessa Lewis, marketing and events assistant at the GBCC said: “It was great to host our first Future Faces event in person after so long of adapting to virtual events. After the success of the Walking Tour, we hope to host some more in-person events over the summer and introduce more of our members to their peers and to our Future Faces team. ”

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