I got into the events industry because I was working in Malta for the Malta Tourism Authority and was approached by a local DMC who was setting up his own business. He asked me to come on board and head up the sales department my mission being to cover the continent and drive events back to Malta using our event planning services and recommendations. I took it on with open arms and this was probably the most effective grounding I’ve had in my career.
I have worked here since 2000. After three years with the Malta Tourism Authority, I was approached by the Westin Dragonara in Malta and started my hotel career with Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
I was attracted to this particular role because although my main role has predominantly been in sales, my efforts are reflected in confirmed group and event business. You can’t do one without the other and nothing drives me more than working a lead and knowing that your efforts, product and operational know-how have been the reason for the event coming to your property.
Not many people know that having left University I expected the corporate world to embrace me. But that didn’t happen of course. I was living in London and my first job was to sell T-shirts that change colour with your body temperature at Heathrow airport. I actually stood at the Terminal 1 departure gate with a hairdryer and T-shirt in hand. That was my first and last love affair with retail.
My worst experience at an event was when I was hosting a number of VIP guests for a destination and product familiarisation visit. One of the local DMC’s put forward a fabulous programme clearly based on the premise that the weather would hold throughout their stay. There was one particular day where they had planned a creative activity outdoors on luxury yachts, in the presence of the Minister for Tourism, who had agreed to join us for a few hours. It poured with rain and much to my horror, the DMC didn’t have a backup plan so we had 10 people, one Minister and no location or activity to pursue. Fortunately we managed to turn it around however I would not like to relive such an episode again and from that day on, I always have a contingency plan to hand.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s put yourself in the clients’ shoes as you need to truly understand what is expected in order to turn it around successfully and exceed expectations. The events industry is the highest revenue earner for a hotel so it’s imperative to have the right people on board to deliver the service required. Another credo of mine is to walk the talk, speak and act accordingly.
The best event I’ve been involved in was a high-end dinner we recently hosted for an incentive group from the US in the Banking Hall at The Westin Dublin. Never before have I witnessed such a dramatic transformation of the Hall, from classic to mythical Ireland in the space of a few hours. The food was themed around Ireland, the fare was regionally sourced and the presentation of each platter denoted the different regions. When our guests walked in their reaction was audible and we knew there and then that we had truly wowed our customers.
If I could do it all over again I would do the same. Having worked on all sides of the industry, national, DMC and now hotels, I feel that I have a great understanding of all aspects of the job and what delivery expectations there are at all ends.
The one thing I can’t stand is disorganisation – if an event is being led by someone who is disorganised it creates havoc for all involved. I’m also demonic about time keeping and punctuality.
Outside of work I spend my time with friends, travelling and enjoying crispy cold white wine over long sunny lunches.
If money were no object I know it sounds weird but I’ve never had aspirational dreams about what I’d do if I had more money. I guess I would share and spoil those closest to my heart and travel the world (ditching the rucksack).
The one event I will never miss Taste of Dublin. Nothing I love more than to sample, explore and enjoy the growing gastro and restaurant industry in Dublin.
The next 12 months will be extremely exciting as well as challenging. It’s the ten-year anniversary of The Westin Dublin this year, a great milestone in our history. Dublin as a business destination has grown in leaps and bounds particularly with the inauguration of the Convention Centre last September. The current challenges in Dublin means that we are thinking and acting more creatively, and innovating more with leaner structures. It brings us back to the core of our mission.
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry it would be with someone out of the industry. I love what I do with a passion; I could almost say it’s my hobby. Having said that, I’ve always admired those who are artistic or musical. I dream about spending days adding the last strokes to my masterpiece or losing myself in the depths of a violin sonata…or kicking off a dramatic flamenco with Adrian Sanchez.
If I ruled the event industry I would make event management a science. It is probably the only sector where everyone who’s new to the industry is thrown in at the deep end. Event management is one of the most competent roles in any sector and yet little training exists that is specifically tailored to this segment. Great event managers are rare gems, I would ensure that the industry respected their competencies in the same light.
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