I got into the events industry because I thoroughly enjoy entertaining clients and the general public without having to strut around on a stage like a peacock. It’s the perfect job for an introverted show-off…like me.
I have worked here since the end of April 2011. My event career began building stages and lugging miles of AV cables back in 1998. I rarely wear a t-shirt, shorts and steel toed boots to work these days, but strangely I do miss the physical nature of a hard day’s graft as a rigger.
I was attracted to this particular role because the Ogilvy network allows access to some of the world’s most iconic brands which when matched with the almost endless growth opportunities in the realms of brand experience meant it was impossible to refuse.
Not many people know that I’m a frustrated architect. However, I can barely draw a stick-man, never mind magic up a masterpiece like Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim in Bilbao. At least the events industry gives me chance to dabble in design and occasionally be part of a ground breaking build project.
My worst experience at an event was actually on the way back from an event with an important client’s very expensive classic American hospitality bus, which ended up swinging in mid-air across the back of a 40ft flat-bed. Thankfully a disaster was avoided through the help of some local businesses who kindly lent me a couple of forklift trucks to lower the bus back down to earth.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s that you are only as good as your last piece of work.
The best event I’ve been involved in will be our next event.
If I could do it all over again, I would have spent less money on expensive toys in my 20’s
The one thing I can’t stand is waste. Wasted opportunities, wasted time, wasted marketing spend, wasted food and of course high-waisted trousers of any kind.
Outside of work, I spend my time watching and listening to stuff; people, bands, films and sport. I sometimes read stuff too.
If money were no object, I’d buy a beautiful (and likely neglected) old building in a great European city and convert it into an exhibition, event and living space. I would have parties, play music really loud and cover the place with one of my best mate’s art.
The one event I will never miss is Sonar 2017. A milestone birthday treat at my favourite festival when I really should know better!
The next 12 months will be mostly "recycled". In light of the current economic and environmental climate I predict that both clients and consumers will look to reuse and reinvent in innovative ways.
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry it would be no-one. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the majority of the people I’ve worked with and for, but would I want to swap places with any of them? No thanks.
If I ruled the event industry I’d likely be an intolerable bore and rather self-absorbed.
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