I have worked in events since 2002.
I was attracted to this particular role because I always wanted to work for myself, and I felt that we had something new to offer the events industry. Plus it’s a really good laugh being head honcho, although it can be stressful at times.
Not many people know that I used to be a computer programmer, and am still a massive geek.
My worst experience at an event was looking on as two stand builders wrestled with our beautifully designed lightbox, only for it to slip and smash hours before the show was due to open. Luckily we had a brilliant printer who sorted the whole thing out overnight.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s never, ever assume that once you’ve plugged everything in it will all work first time.
The best event I’ve been involved in was Sage World 2010, it was a truly magnificent event to watch take shape, from the initial ‘eco-world’ concepts, to the inflatable bio domes, incredible carpets and plant-life. The event encapsulated what corporate events should be about – excitement, engagement and people actually learning stuff and talking about it afterwards.
If I could do it all over again I would ask me again in ten years, I’m only 30.
The one thing I can’t stand is event organisers who fabricate their attendance figures.
Outside of work I spend my time wakeboarding, surfing and snowboarding.
If money were no object I would buy a lake and a speedboat, and a room the size of a house for my wife’s shoes and bags.
The one event I will never miss is Guns N’ Roses UK tour, although it’s not the same without Slash.
The recession has meant that I have had to deliver more for less. There’s no doubt that event budgets have taken a big hit over the last 18 months, and it’s no longer acceptable to run an event without thinking about ROI, which means we’ve had to be more innovative, and think carefully about cost effective ways of meeting our clients’ objectives.
The next 12 months will be a fantastic time to be in the events industry, there’s so much going on in terms of new technology, particularly with virtual and hybrid events becoming more popular. I think we’ll see more events bridging the gap between real-life and online participation. Ultimately events are about communicating and inspiring people, and that shouldn’t be limited to experiences in any given medium, so whether it’s a conference hall of 2,000 people or ten people meeting through facebook, it’s all good.
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry it would be no-one, I love my job and the people I work with, which is good, because I interviewed most of them.
If I ruled the event industry I would make the role redundant. That’s the beauty of this industry, there are no dictators or mega-corporations who govern industry direction, which means that everyone has to keep coming up with new ideas to remain competitive, especially at the moment.