I got into the events industry because of its flexible working hours. I had actually studied to work within the fashion industry and, like so many in hospitality, I fell into the business as the flexibility of hours meant I was able to support myself financially through college. Here I am some 20 plus years later having never left the industry and I still very much enjoy it all.
I have worked here since June 2004
I was attracted to this particular role because I could see the huge potential and opportunity within the three IET Venues. There was very little in the way of procedures or commercial focus as the venues had only been used for internal events and IET members previously. I was able to use all my experience to date to create a unique and passionate team across the IET Venues group.
Not many people know that my ambition in life was to work for Vivienne Westwood and I still follow her career avidly (though I will never be able to afford a unique design of hers!).
My worst experience at an event was working at the Millennium Dome in 2000. It was a high profile event for around 3,000 customers and the lunch menu was breast of chicken. Fifteen minutes into lunch service it became very apparent there was not enough chicken to even get quarter of the customers fed. A colleague and I spent the rest of the day being shouted at by the client. Realising his mistake, the head chef walked off site never to be seen again. From that point on we checked every event with the managers to ensure the chefs had ordered the correct quantities. I can now look back and laugh, but at the time I did question my choice of career for a few hours.
If there's one thing I've learnt it's to choose your battles wisely. You cannot change everything at least not all at once. Do one thing at a time and do it well.
The best event I've been involved in was the Frock Exchange that IET Venues held - taking inspiration from Twiggy's televised version. Women were invited to come to Savoy Place with any unwanted items with the idea of then taking home the same number of brand ‘new to them' outfits. The evening involved event organisers searching, sorting and swiping the garments from their networking pals with no time for browsing or negotiations. It was a lot of fun and I even got a great new outfit.
If I could do it all over again I would not change a thing. I have been fortunate enough in my career to date to have met some inspiring people who have now become great friends. I love the diversity and the constant changing pace of life within the hospitality industry.
The one thing I can't stand is negativity. I thrive on and aim to promote a real can-do attitude towards everything that is thrown at us.
Outside of work I spend my time with my family or gardening. I now have an allotment which is a great way to spend free time, chilling out after a long day. I have even excited my children to the delights of growing their own vegetables which makes convincing them to eat them a lot easier.
If money were no object I would buy a small hold farm with my family and try to be as self sufficient as possible.
The one event I will never miss is the annual Scottish Tourism and Business Seminar held in Glasgow every year. I get so much relevant industry knowledge from it and it's a great event for networking.
The recession has meant that at IET Venues we have all had to become very focused on our core strengths and work a lot more efficiently without compromising the customer experience. It has made the team far more customer savvy, which has in turn made them a lot more confident in the art of negotiation of pricing and value for money. Financial sustainability is key and we have become more confident at declining some opportunities that are not beneficial for us as well as the customer.
The next 12 months will continue to challenge everyone in the industry, though I am positive and confident that it will highlight the flexibility of the sector to continue to adapt to whatever economic environment we find ourselves in. There are exciting times ahead as technology continues to evolve allowing organisers to expand their audience by thousands with social media and the availability of virtual options to run alongside physical conferences.
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry it would be Tim Smit of the Eden Project. I am not sure if you would class him as someone within hospitality but he is someone I feel has managed to bring environmental issues to the forefront of everyone's mind with an innovative attraction within St Austell. The Eden Project incorporates environmental issues whilst at the same time continues to be a commercially sustainable business where hospitality is part of its whole culture.
If I ruled the event industry I would I would introduce a clear rating system that is as obvious to the customers as hotel star ratings.
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