It has been talked about, joked about and fantasised. But the idea of having a Men’s Conference in reality was remote in many people’s minds.

For starters, the genesis of the whole concept is one which was merely playful as it can get. The annual Valentine’s Day celebrations on February 14 prompted men to create an imaginary engagement which they believed would keep them preoccupied so they can systematically escape the Valentine’s Day indulgences with their partners.

In the recent past, the notion has continued to gather momentum especially in the social media spaces. As the female folk begin to fan the February 14 love vibe, on the other hand, the men get busy with their preparations for the Men’s Conference.

It is interesting in a way because the obsession of women with the Valentine’s Day euphoria can only become complete with the presence and involvement of men. Ironically, it is the same men who are going away to focus on their conference.

Until last Friday, such have been the parameters  which the two concepts have attained. This year,  alcoholic beverage brewers Castel Malawi played the daring card and hosted the first ever Men’s Conference in three of the country’s four cities, notably Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu simultaneously.

When the company announced they would hold the events, not many believed. With all the background that has been associated with such talk, probably many thought Castel Malawi was just riding on the wave of the growing social media fad.

But, as it turned out, they had other ideas. They indeed brought the Men’s Conference to life. Under their Doppel Munich lager beer brand platform, they did that in some fashion too.

Despite the persistent announcements and promotion about the events, the organisers kept the identity of the venues under wraps. Those who were invited were only told of the venue with 24hours to go. That enhanced to the excitement too.

As expected, this was to be a free space where men would mingle, network and party till they couldn’t hold it anymore. That was in abundance yes! The beers and the food flowed from start to finish. Fun games were played and the delegates interacted freely.

That aside, but the masterstroke was the addition of two engagements on the programme schedule. A lecture on mental health and a business presentation were perhaps the pinnacle of the events.

Such social gatherings have many times been dismissed as time wasting undertakings. But that is not usually the case. People have benefitted from such social platforms in many ways. People have sealed business deals and work opportunities through such social interactions.

The economy world over is at its most shaky point. For one to survive you need to keep your feet on the ground throughout. Having an opportunity where one is sharing business tips is one of the best gifts that one can receive. We need more than one source of income to safeguard our financial survival in these hard times.

The issue of mental health has manifested itself among males in a very bad way. The numbers of men committing suicide are scary. And that is one thing that cannot be left unchecked. The honest conversation which ensued at the conference made men open up on situations which they previously thought were normal to them.

It was a limited number of delegates which participated in the three events, but by extension the lessons which were imparted during those two sessions can have an impact on or two lives elsewhere.

Kudos to Castel Malawi for the bold first step. With more innovation the platform can grow to become more productive and reflective. Minus the fun you offer, it showed you also care about the wellbeing of your customers. Keep it that way!

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