I have worked here since I started the company in 2000 from my back bedroom. I hasten to add we are no longer in my back bedroom as the fourteen staff and company dog would be rather squashed.
I was attracted to this particular role because I wanted to move away from the sometimes restrictive demands of a large agency and get back to the creative roots.
Not many people know that I have run HA for the past 11 years with my husband. One client worked with us for five years not knowing that we were married. I guess the cat is out of the bag now.
My worst experience at an event was taking a group of guys, suffering from severe lack of sleep and overloaded on sangria from the night before, out on a catamaran along the coast from Barcelona harbour to Sitges. From the start we were doomed. The ground handlers kept assuring us that although the weather seemed gusty it would be fine – what an understatement. One hour into the cruise with attendees hanging over the side, we took the decision to abandon the trip. Funnily enough, the group was in great form once off the boat. We still work with the client – but whenever in the planning stages, any suggestions of boating activities are boycotted immediately.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s never take anything for granted or assume anything. We are only as good as the detail we provide and the attention to every aspect of an event. Never relax procedures because you’ve done it before, or assume you know the venue like the back of your hand. Treat every client and every event with the enthusiasm and professionalism as you did the first time you worked with them.
The best event I’ve been involved in was the charity golf day we’ve run for the past three years for Cubic Transportation Systems. The HA team came up with the concept and had significant input into choosing the charities. Over three years we have raised in excess of £90,000 for Winston’s Wish and Headway. The pure unadulterated pleasure at doing what I do best and making a difference to these charities is amazing. We couldn’t raise this amount without the help of some amazing industry partners, who give so generously to the charity auction.
If I could do it all over again I would – that’s it – I just would.
The one thing I can’t stand is rudeness and arrogant service and someone believing they are more important than someone else because of social and economic status.
Outside of work I spend my time recovering from running the company and enjoying time with my family. Inevitably, working in the industry can be invasive on your personal time, so I do what I can to make every moment count.
If money were no object I would give it all up and find that perfect white beach we all dream of (but only after securing the company and ensuring its place in the industry).
The one event I will never miss is the birthday of my son and daughter.
The next 12 months will be spent seeing HA growing exponentially, following the pattern of the last two years, yet staying mindful of the economic climate and ensuring the security of our team and their positions. The events department will expand mirroring our public relations division.
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry it would be Xavier Rugeroni, general manager and regional vice president of Fairmont Monte Carlo. His attitude to service epitomises our industry. As I travel the world and work with varying degrees of service you realise how good you have it sometimes and how one individual’s contribution to your business can impact an entire event.
If I ruled the event industry I would ban fashion week in Paris, or any other fashion related event they have, it’s always booked and fashion week is always their excuse. I would also ban suppliers visiting the office and bringing Krispy Kreme doughnuts. On a serious note, I would demand more thought and planning for FAM trips. They are an immensely important part of the education process, but can often be so jam-packed that there isn’t enough time to truly capture a location or venue.