I got into the events industry by accident. I was working in tourism and as the events industry started to flourish, so I moved over into this area. Around the same time I moved to Abu Dhabi. I wanted a fresh challenge and I volunteered to work for a then little-known music festival. I loved it. I got a real sense of what the industry was about and I worked my way up the ranks from volunteer to a member of the paid events team.
I have worked here since 2002.
I was attracted to this particular role because I wanted to help professionalise the industry and help foster young talent.
Not many people know that I have taught more than 1,000 people in the art of events and the university has around 400 students studying events at any one time.
My worst experience at an event was at a Coldplay concert in Abu Dhabi and there was torrential – and totally unexpected – rain. In fact, I don’t think Abu Dhabi had ever seen rain like it before or since, it was literally a washout. The audience was absolutely drenched, no one had predicted rain so they were totally unprepared. Luckily, we had a fantastic production team who ensured the really important things were safe, like the staging and lighting. The event went ahead and though the crowd were soaked to their skin, Coldplay were fantastic and even played Singing in the Rain.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s no matter how busy you are, you have to make time to look after yourself when you’re involved in a big event. It can fall to the bottom of your priority list when things get hectic but if you don’t make sure you’re fit and healthy, who will help the event run smoothly? I wasn’t always this strict about it – and suffered for it – but now I make sure I eat well, drink plenty of water and sleep whenever I can. It might sound simple but it helps you deliver to your best ability.
The best event I’ve been involved in was the Abu Dhabi film festival. It started in 2007 and Abu Dhabi had never had an event like it before. It started small but it soon grew. It brought so many people from around the world to the region like A-list movie stars, Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Orlando Bloom, Jane Fonda and Susan Sarandon, plus key industry figures, and an ever increasing number of film and festival enthusiasts.
If I could do it all over again I would be 20 years younger. These are such exciting times to be in the events industry and I almost wish I was starting out so I could enjoy it all again.
The one thing I can’t stand is people who don’t deliver. Events of any scale require such tight timescales and budgets that if people let you down, it can ruin everyone else’s hard work.
Outside of work I spend my time with my family – my beautiful girls, taking them to events.
If money were no object I’d like everybody to experience going to a live event or festival. You just can’t beat the energy and excitement. The industry has worked over the years to make more events accessible, which is a good thing because it’s sad when money is a barrier to people enjoying themselves.
The one event I will never miss is the Abu Dhabi film festival. It will always hold a special place in my heart. Although I’m no longer at the forefront of the event organising, I still relish the idea of going along and being part of it.
The next 12 months will be challenging. For everyone involved in the industry. On the one hand, a major event like the Olympics is very exciting and creates many opportunities but it can also make things tougher for the smaller, independent events that will find it even harder to have a presence and to secure funding.
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry it would be Michael Eavis, the English dairy farmer who founded Glastonbury all those years ago. To see the event grow from a tiny free music festival in its first year to the world renowned event it is today is inspiring.
If I ruled the event industry I would give more support to small, innovative community festivals which are amazing and showcase some real raw talents, but don’t get the same stage presence as larger commercial or corporate events.
What has been your worst experience at an event? For a chance to see your Event World featured email chantelle.dietz@haymarket.com