Blink and just like that… Season 16 is a wrap! 

What a brilliant season it’s been. A huge thank you to all of our incredible guests – Jack and Karen genuinely loved every conversation, insight, and story shared along the way.

And now… the fun bit.

For our final Wrap episode, Jack and Karen are joined by the fantastic Indy Marsland and Judith Rafferty – both loyal listeners of the podcast who put themselves forward to be part of The Wrap. And honestly… they did not disappoint. Fresh perspectives, brilliant insights, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Indy Marsland trained in theatrical stage management at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and her career has taken her from fringe theatre productions to large-scale film premieres and working with major music artists at UK festivals.

Judith Rafferty is a true hospitality and events OG. With a career spanning academic venues, national venue chains, venue finding, and destination marketing, she now supports the industry through copywriting, content strategy, and LinkedIn marketing for a wide range of event professionals, venues, and suppliers.

Fancy joining us next time? If you’re a listener and want to be part of The Wrap for Season 17… you know what to do.

It’s the perfect way to round off another unforgettable season.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Karen and Jack caught up with Roger while he was on site in Spain delivering an event, proving once again that the life of an events professional never really stops.

From an early age, Roger knew the events industry was where he belonged. Following his father onto site, watching shows being built, meeting suppliers and seeing client relationships in action, he quickly caught the bug.

Today, Roger is an international major event and venue operations leader, with experience across strategic senior roles as an event promoter, venue operator, services provider and project consultant.

His peers have described him as “the critical leadership glue” and someone who is proven at “steadying the ship” in some of the most challenging event delivery locations around the world. Roger has built and led event projects in first-time locations, including stadia, venues, city centres and greenfield sites, while guiding city stakeholders and new local teams through the delivery journey.

Roger has enjoyed an extensive and impressive career in the events industry, with highlights including senior roles at Excel London, the ABB Formula E FIA World Championship, the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, the first European Games in Baku, Wembley Stadium, Ascot Racecourse, equestrian events and the Singapore Sports Hub.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

This week on The Events Insight, Jack and Karen are joined by Emma King, an entrepreneur, event organiser, business coach and international podcast host who has built a reputation for doing things a little differently.

Emma is the driving force behind CHS Events, a company well known across the meetings and events industry for its trade shows in Leeds and Birmingham. But 2026 marks a new chapter, with the shows combining to create a brand-new “super show” at Manchester’s AO Arena, a bold move that reflects Emma’s willingness to evolve and challenge the status quo.

The title of this episode comes from Emma herself: “I don’t mind people judging me… it keeps me on my toes!” , a mindset that perhaps explains how she has navigated an industry that’s constantly changing.

Like many in events, Emma faced huge disruption during the pandemic. But rather than standing still, she used the time to explore new opportunities, relocating to Spain and joining the coaching team at Dan Bradbury Ltd, expanding her expertise beyond events into business coaching and personal development.

Today, Emma continues to balance multiple roles. She is Expert in Residence at the international training company Paul Gough Ltd, and co-founder of It Takes Two, a coaching and training business designed to support Second-in-Command leaders who want to become world-class operators.

In this episode, we explore Emma’s journey through entrepreneurship, resilience during challenging times, and why sometimes being judged simply means you’re pushing boundaries.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

This week on The Events Insight, Jack and Karen are joined by Adam Tetro, a man who’s spent more than two decades navigating the controlled chaos that makes live events so special.

At the time of recording, Adam was Director of Production & Sales – Venues at Scene Change, bringing a wealth of experience to a national events company in Australia.

Adam’s journey into the industry didn’t start in production. Like many great event professionals, he began in hospitality while chasing a career in music. Somewhere along the way he realised that events offered the perfect blend of creativity, problem-solving and just the right amount of unpredictability.

Over the past 26 years, Adam has seen just about everything the industry can throw at you, from lighting mishaps and audio crises to those last-minute client requests that somehow always appear five minutes before doors open.

His career has taken him across multiple technical disciplines, working as a lighting, audio and vision technician before moving into leadership roles managing production and technical teams across the Gold Coast and Brisbane. He also spent three years in the UK, living and working across London, Birmingham and Surrey, gaining international experience, and plenty of stories along the way.

Since recording this episode, Adam’s career has taken another step forward. He has now moved into a new role as Sales and Account Manager at Creative Technology, a great example of how careers in the events industry rarely stand still.

In this episode, we explore Adam’s journey through the industry, the lessons learned from decades behind the scenes, and what it really takes to make the magic happen when the audience only sees the finished show.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

This week on The Events Insight, we’re tackling a topic that resonates across our industry, work life boundaries, not work life balance.

Jack and Karen are joined by Claudia, a brand storyteller with 25 years of experience delivering award-winning work for global names including Hitachi, Amazon, PwC, PepsiCo and Audi, across sectors spanning Technology, Professional Services, FMCG, Healthcare and Automotive.

As Managing Director of INVNT EMEA, Claudia has built and led high-performing teams responsible for bold, results-driven campaigns that have fuelled the agency’s rapid growth since 2020. She understands what it takes to operate at the highest level and what it costs if boundaries aren’t clearly defined.

In this episode, we explore the difference between chasing “balance” and setting meaningful boundaries. What does leadership look like when performance and personal life collide? How do you build ambitious teams without burning them out? And how do you protect your energy in an always-on industry?

Beyond agency life, Claudia is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation. She serves as a Board Member at Brixton Finishing School and mentors through Elevate, helping to shape future talent across the industry.

A first-generation American who grew up across Germany, England and the US, Claudia has called London home since 2011  navigating agency leadership alongside family life with her two sports-obsessed boys and her chef-skilled husband.

This is a conversation about ambition, boundaries and building a career that works for you ... not against you.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

This week on The Events Insight, Jack and Karen are joined by Matt Clarke, a man whose career can only be described as truly eventful.

From taking a temporary three-month role at Silverstone in 1995… to taking another temporary three-month role there in 2025, Matt’s journey spans three decades at the heart of global sport and live events.

In between, he’s worked across permanent, temporary and contract roles, seamlessly moving between them, while playing an integral part in delivering some of the world’s biggest sporting moments. We’re talking Commonwealth Games, Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups, the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and Formula One across the UK, Australia, South Africa and the Middle East.

Matt’s philosophy? Work hard, play hard. Let your actions and achievements speak for you, you don’t need to tell everyone you’re the boss.

And when someone like Mick Wright at World Rugby says, “What, ‘THE’ Matt Clarke?” , you know you’ve built a reputation that travels.

Who knows where he’ll go next?

Tune in as we explore a 30-year career built on adaptability, delivery at the highest level, and a relentless passion for live events.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

In the first episode of Season 16 Karen and Jack chat to the rather fabulous Adrienne Fitzgerald.  An energetic, focussed, determined Strategic Account Manager for CORT Events.   With a degree in fabrics, listen in and experience her journey from fashion to furniture.  

In her current role, Adrienne’s responsibilities include managing the Midwest territory, Exhibit House programming, General Contractor partnerships and Large Corporate events for Gartner, Service NOW and TwitchCON.  Her role is all about building and understanding client relationships, and developing lasting partnerships.

Adrienne has been in the event industry for over 20+ years, prior to joining CORT in 2017 she was managing major Golf industry events and working directly with the USGA and PGA of America.

Adrienne strongly believes in the value of networking - if you invest in these relationships, you will have a strong dependable community.  She is on the Board of Women in Experiential and Midwest Chapter of IAEE.  She also supports the EDPA Midwest and Upper Midwest Chapters.  

Adrienne is an avid snow skier, learned to wake surf when she turned 50 and is a cardio junkie working out 5 days a week.

Adrienne currently lives in Chicago, IL.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Another season already? How can that be?

Season 15 of The Events Insight Podcast has been another truly fantastic and inspiring journey, with guests from every corner of the events spectrum.

For this special wrap-up episode, Jack and Karen are joined by two brilliant industry professionals, and loyal listeners Kirsty Goddard and James Molkie, who bring their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the conversation.

Kirsty has over 20 years’ experience in marketing, comms, and events, and is renowned for helping businesses uncover their true goals and communicate their unique personality.

James is a Creative & Design Director who uses design thinking to solve complex business problems and craft meaningful experiences.

Together, they dive deep into Season 15, reflecting on our six incredible guests, sharing their biggest takeaways, and highlighting the insights that resonated most. Expect inspiration, behind-the-scenes reflections, and maybe even a few surprises as we close the chapter on another fantastic season.

Tune in now for a lively discussion and a final look back before we step into Season 16!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor NEC Birmingham  via;

https://www.thenec.co.uk

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Wavecast via;

https://wavecast.io

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the Charity Mommy's Boy ;

https://mommysboy.co.uk

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/



Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

In this episode, Jack and Karen catch up with Sarah Bennett, a California-born event professional whose career has come full circle, back to where it all began: with the Anaheim Ducks.

From her first internship with the hockey club to leading event strategy across the sports, tech, entertainment, and non-profit sectors, Sarah has spent over 15 years mastering the art of delivering unforgettable experiences. Her journey includes roles with the San Diego Padres, the Olympic Water Polo Team, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Spectrum Enterprise.

Now Senior Manager of Signature Events and Projects for the Anaheim Ducks, Sarah reflects on what it means to “do the impossible” in events and how a positive mindset, patience, and strong planning can make almost anything happen.

With a philosophy rooted in collaboration and creativity, Sarah proves that no matter the sector, the magic lies in the details.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor NEC Birmingham  via;

https://www.thenec.co.uk

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Wavecast via;

https://wavecast.io

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the Charity Mommy's Boy ;

https://mommysboy.co.uk

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/



Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

This week, Jack and Karen speak with Ivan Mariacher, Managing Director of TROJAN SECURITY, a leader who has built his career on protecting people, spaces, and experiences.

Ivan’s journey began at the frontline of London’s most high-risk venues back in 2004, where he tackled gang-related violence, drug issues, and public safety challenges head-on. Today, he leads a professional team delivering everything from crowd management to close protection at major events and venues, including the iconic Troxy and the London Stadium.

With qualifications in IOSH Managing Crowd Safely and years of high-pressure response coordination, Ivan shares why safety is never an afterthought and how the best security work often goes unnoticed.

Expect a behind-the-scenes look into the real-world pressures of live event security and the mindset it takes to keep everyone safe.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor NEC Birmingham  via;

https://www.thenec.co.uk

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Wavecast via;

https://wavecast.io

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the Charity Mommy's Boy ;

https://mommysboy.co.uk

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/



Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

In this episode, Jack and Karen chat with Richard Smith, a passionate events professional whose journey started with a defining moment on a balcony overlooking Hall 3 at Birmingham’s ICC.

Now Chief Commercial Officer at Wyboston Lakes Resort, Richard leads the commercial strategy across a diverse 400-acre site, driving growth across training venues, conference spaces, and serviced offices. With past roles at Compass Group, Yarnfield Park, and nearly a decade at the NEC Group, Richard brings a deep understanding of what makes venues , and people thrive.

He shares insights on leadership, venue strategy, and why creating momentum (for yourself and others) is the key to long-term success in this fast-paced industry.

From quiet moments of clarity to boardroom decision-making, Richard’s story is one of purpose, progress, and people-first thinking.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor NEC Birmingham  via;

https://www.thenec.co.uk

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Wavecast via;

https://wavecast.io

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the Charity Mommy's Boy ;

https://mommysboy.co.uk

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/



Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

This week, Jack and Karen welcome Sarah Slater, a true force in the live entertainment industry and a champion of saying yes to unexpected opportunities.

Now leading the Music & Festivals division at Ticketmaster UK, Sarah’s career has taken her from production management in outreach programmes to senior roles in ticketing and e-commerce. With over 15 years of experience, she’s built a reputation for trusted leadership, strategic growth, and solid relationships with some of the UK’s biggest promoters and event organisers.

Sarah shares her winding journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and why she swears by the mantra: “Always make sure you’re doing a good job — you never know who’s watching!”

If you’re looking for inspiration, career insights, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story from the world of live events, this one’s for you.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor NEC Birmingham  via;

https://www.thenec.co.uk

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Wavecast via;

https://wavecast.io

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the Charity Mommy's Boy ;

https://mommysboy.co.uk

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/



Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

In this episode, Jack and Karen are joined by Matt Turner, founder of Clownfish Events and self-declared Head of Team Flourishment, for an energising conversation about culture, creativity, and what it takes to build a workplace people actually love.

From launching a DJ business at 18 with a shed full of kit and his dad’s Toyota Previa, to winning The Sunday Times Best Place to Work 2025, Matt shares how Clownfish has grown into a standout name in the corporate events space.

But success here isn’t just about the events. It’s about people. Matt’s focus on employee wellbeing, bold leadership, and doing things with heart (and fun!) has set a new benchmark for the industry, and he’s just getting started.

Expect inspiration, laughs, and a reminder that happiness and high performance aren’t mutually exclusive.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor NEC Birmingham  via;

https://www.thenec.co.uk

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Wavecast via;

https://wavecast.io

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the Charity Mommy's Boy ;

https://mommysboy.co.uk

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/



Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

In this season opener, Jack and Karen sit down with the ever-inspiring PJ Ellis, a proud Brummie, seasoned charity campaigner, and passionate community advocate.

PJ shares the story behind launching the Harry Moseley Charity Ball, co-founding LoveBrum, and raising nearly £1 million for causes close to his heart. From tackling homelessness to mentoring start-ups, PJ’s journey proves how purpose-led projects can leave a lasting legacy.

Now a BBC Radio WM presenter and founder of the men's mental health initiative Mommy's Boy, PJ opens up about the personal experiences driving his mission, and how events have played a central role in bringing people together for good.

Whether you're in the events world or just love a good story with heart, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what it means to make an impact.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor NEC Birmingham  via;

https://www.thenec.co.uk

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Wavecast via;

https://wavecast.io

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the Charity Mommy's Boy ;

https://mommysboy.co.uk

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/



Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV 

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

As Season 14 of The Events Insight Podcast comes to a close, we’re wrapping things up in style, as we always do! Joining Jack and Karen for this special episode are two fantastic industry professionals and avid podcast listeners, Charlotte Dowdell and Rajiah Rodien, who bring their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the conversation.

Charlotte, with over a decade of experience in hospitality and events, is known for her meticulous planning, positive attitude, and ability to turn events into magical experiences. Rajiah, an emerging talent in the industry, blends academic expertise with hands-on experience, having worked on major events like Bunkered Live, the British F1 Grand Prix, and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Together, they take a deep dive into Season 14, sharing their thoughts on our six incredible guests and reflecting on the key takeaways from each episode. Expect insights, inspiration, and maybe even a few surprises as they discuss what resonated most with them.

Tune in now for a lively discussion and a final look back at another fantastic season! 

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Wyboston Lakes Resort  via;

https://www.wybostonlakes.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Nowie via;

https://www.nowie.org/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Sock and Buskin Marketing and PR ;

https://sockandbuskinmarketing.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/



Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

 Get ready for a fun and fascinating episode of The Events Insight Podcast with Jack and Karen! This week, we’re joined by three-time Emmy Award winner, comedian, TV host, and best-selling author Mark DeCarlo. You might know him from Windy City LIVE, World’s Funniest Videos, or as the voice of Hugh Neutron in Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. Mark has done it all—hosting, acting, writing, producing, and even launching the world’s first live-to-air animated talk show. Join us as we dive into his incredible journey, from Hollywood to the corporate stage, and hear his insights on creativity, media, and of course, having a good laugh along the way!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Wyboston Lakes Resort  via;

https://www.wybostonlakes.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Nowie via;

https://www.nowie.org/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Sock and Buskin Marketing and PR ;

https://sockandbuskinmarketing.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

This week on The Events Insight Podcast, Karen and Jack sit down with Martin Stephens, Director of Off Limits Ltd, to explore his inspiring career journey—from a YTS trainee stacking shelves to a leader in the events industry.

With over 30 years of experience, Martin has worn many hats, from hotel management trainee to Sales Director, before becoming a shareholder and Director at Off Limits, where he’s spent the last two decades delivering unforgettable experiences. His portfolio is as diverse as it is impressive, featuring multi-activity days, The Original BBC It's a Knockout, theme nights, and evening entertainment tailored to every audience.

Beyond Off Limits, Martin plays a key role in shaping the industry as a Board Director of the Meetings Industry Association and was a founding member of Escapologic escape rooms in Nottingham. His passion for events is clear—he believes it’s all about the people and the journey along the way!

Tune in for an episode filled with insights, stories, and inspiration that prove anything is possible in the world of events!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Wyboston Lakes Resort  via;

https://www.wybostonlakes.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Nowie via;

https://www.nowie.org/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Sock and Buskin Marketing and PR ;

https://sockandbuskinmarketing.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

In this episode of The Events Insight, Jack and Karen sit down with Lisa Sweeting, an event professional with 18 years of experience in corporate, private, and charity events. Lisa is the founder of Green Sense Events, a company dedicated to minimising environmental impact while ensuring events are socially inclusive and accessible.

Since launching Green Sense Events in 2020, Lisa has worked with a diverse range of clients, including High 5 Events, One Two Agency (formerly Glasgows), Decordia, COP26 and the UK Government, and Oxygen House. Her work spans from developing sustainability strategies and action plans to delivering full-scale events with a greener approach.

Lisa shares her insights on the 'easy wins' for making events more sustainable, tackling key topics such as waste reduction, recycling, and changing habits within the industry. She’s passionate about starting conversations that drive real change and now incorporates training into her work to help event professionals take action.

Tune in to gain practical tips and inspiration for making sustainability a natural part of your event planning process.

Learn more about Lisa’s training and initiatives: https://www.greensenseevents.co.uk/training-events

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Wyboston Lakes Resort  via;

https://www.wybostonlakes.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Nowie via;

https://www.nowie.org/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Sock and Buskin Marketing and PR ;

https://sockandbuskinmarketing.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Adam has been working within the Events Industry for over twenty years, firstly as a Lighting technician and Rigger before moving into the Safety Role after a non-work related accident.  

He specialises in large scale one-off events where he can use his role as a consultant to facilitate all aspects of the event.  

His career has allowed him to work across many sectors including touring, exhibitions, sport, theatre and corporate events, right across across the world.

You will hear how Adam is keen to promote health and well-being within the industry and is a board member of a diabetes charity based in the West Midlands. 

This conversation with Jack and Karen went in so many different directions and allows you to truly understand how your career can be shaped by so many different things, both people and personal circumstances. 

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Wyboston Lakes Resort  via;

https://www.wybostonlakes.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Nowie via;

https://www.nowie.org/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Sock and Buskin Marketing and PR ;

https://sockandbuskinmarketing.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Karen and Jack wlecome another different voice onto the podcast this week as they welcome Charlie Gardener to the show. This episode was actually done in person out on location, so you will hear the difference in the interaction and audio. 

After a decade of experience in legal, financial and sales roles, Charlie, alongside her engineer husband Lloyd, took the first step in business ownership in 2013. 

They recognised an increasing opportunity within the UK construction, utilities and civils sectors and, after turning their first business into an employee-owned trust, were selected as the obvious choice of UK partner for the premium German manufacturer RSP. 

Since RSP UK was formed in 2016, the business has gone from strength to strength and has grown to a team of over 40 specialists now serving customers all across the UK.

She shares her unique perspective of why the events sector is so important to their business development model and how they get best value when investing in their approach to events. 

We hope you enjoy the insights as much as we did chatting them through with Charlie. 

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Wyboston Lakes Resort  via;

https://www.wybostonlakes.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Nowie via;

https://www.nowie.org/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Sock and Buskin Marketing and PR ;

https://sockandbuskinmarketing.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Drew Lasker is a former 16-year professional European basketball player. He participated in the 2018 Commonwealth Games representing England and won a total of 11 Titles in the British Basketball League.

He is passionate about helping others become the Best Version of Themselves.

Drew is working in media Presenting, Reporting and Commentating for the likes of Sky Sports and DAZN, whilst also Co-Host of a  British Basketball League Audio & Visual Podcast (The Drew and Jay Podcast).

When it comes to work on TV and on the Microphone Drew believes in research and preparation, and most importantly, listening to yourself back.  His view is that its a great way to understand your voice and your tone, and what people are hearing from you. 

He is currently the Head Coach of Northumbria University, Founder of TrainHarder21 & Co-Founder of 21 Media & 21 Foundation. 

He doesnt sit still, and you'll appreciate that when you listen to the episode!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Wyboston Lakes Resort  via;

https://www.wybostonlakes.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Nowie via;

https://www.nowie.org/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Sock and Buskin Marketing and PR ;

https://sockandbuskinmarketing.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Welcome to the Wrap Session of Season 13! It's been a truly fantastic season as Jack and Karen have explored the globe with six incredible events industry professionals. From prop making to overlay, jet skiing to LEGO building, we’ve covered it all!

For today's wrap-up, we’ve got a few changes to the lineup. Jack is currently out of the country, handling client and exhibition builds in Las Vegas, so the wonderful Jenny Davies has stepped in to join Karen. And while one of our listener guests couldn't make it, we’re thrilled to have the fabulous Laura Bradley with us for this session!

A little bit about our amazing co-hosts today:

Jenny Davies
Jenny is a Conference and Events Officer at Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford. With a background in Stage Management and Technical Theatre, she’s worked in venue management and event production, and now plays a key role in delivering a variety of events, from Freshers Weeks to corporate conferences and educational programs.

Laura Bradley
With over fifteen years in marketing and journalism, Laura began her career as an intern covering World Superbikes. As social media platforms grew, so did her expertise, leading her to help businesses and individuals build their online presence. In 2023, she founded Sock and Buskin Marketing and PR, after a successful stint as Head of Marketing for a construction company.

Join Karen, Jenny, and Laura as they dive into all the highlights from this season. We hope you enjoy the recording!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor RedBox Events via;

https://www.redboxevents.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor The Hospitality Partnership via;

https://www.hospitality-partnership.com/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Fuchsia Exhibition & Conference Services;
 
https://www.fuchsia-exhibition-services.com/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

In this week’s episode Jack and Karen are thrilled to be joined by Tom Alldread, an industry expert with over 12 years of experience at GL Events. During his time at GL, Tom has played a pivotal role in delivering some of the UK's largest and most prestigious events, including the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, UCI World Cycling Championships, and the London 2012 Olympics.

Tom's expertise in leading complex projects, building high-performing teams, and fostering collaboration has been key to his success. His ability to create strong partnerships with internal stakeholders, key partners, and clients ensures that every project achieves outstanding results.

Join us as Tom shares insights into the world of Overlay—what it is, why it’s crucial for large-scale events, and how his experience has shaped his approach to managing these dynamic projects.

Outside of his professional life, Tom is passionate about the outdoors. Whether it's a family walk or a bike ride, he finds peace spending quality time with his family outdoors.

Tune in for a another fascinating conversation about the art and science of delivering world-class events!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor RedBox Events via;

https://www.redboxevents.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor The Hospitality Partnership via;

https://www.hospitality-partnership.com/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Fuchsia Exhibition & Conference Services;
 
https://www.fuchsia-exhibition-services.com/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

This week Karen and Jack were joined by Stephen, the visionary Founder of Clearwater Events. With a hands-on approach to event planning, client development, and legacy building, Stephen is committed to delivering excellence through diversity, equality, and innovation. His mission? To create unforgettable experiences with impeccable customer service, brilliant creativity, and cutting-edge technology.

Stephen's journey has been impressive. As Senior Account Director at MCI Events, he was instrumental in nurturing client relationships and developing impactful event programs tailored to client needs.

Previously, as Head of Events for North America at American Express Meetings & Events, Stephen led a team of 80 event professionals, driving their growth and ensuring they delivered creative, targeted event solutions that consistently exceeded client expectations. His career has taken him from Singapore and Hong Kong to North America, managing a wide range of global and local clients.

Outside of the event world, Stephen is passionate about aviation, collects model planes, and finds his true happiness on the slopes with a pair of skis.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor RedBox Events via;

https://www.redboxevents.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor The Hospitality Partnership via;

https://www.hospitality-partnership.com/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Fuchsia Exhibition & Conference Services;
 
https://www.fuchsia-exhibition-services.com/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Makenzie Stokel is the Co-Founder of EVA, an innovative platform that automates the process of booking entertainment for events. 

Makenzie has been a young leader in the events and entertainment industries since starting EVA while attending Belmont University. With degrees in Music Business and Entrepreneurship, she is passionate about creating paid performance opportunities for up and coming artists. 

She has been recognized as a leader in the Austin community on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and at the Austin Under 40 Awards. 

She currently serves on the boards of ILEA (International Live Events Association) and STEP (Society of Talent and Entertainment Professionals).

During the chat with Karen and Jack you get to understand where that passion and drive came from. You will also here how the business has evolved over the years when faced with both challenges and opportunities. 

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor RedBox Events via;

https://www.redboxevents.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor The Hospitality Partnership via;

https://www.hospitality-partnership.com/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Fuchsia Exhibition & Conference Services;
 
https://www.fuchsia-exhibition-services.com/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Martin has masterminded some of the world’s most significant major events including the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Hull UK City of Culture 2017, Unboxed; Creativity in the UK and most recently the ceremonies and cultural programmes for Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 and Eurovision in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine. In January 2024 he was appointed Vice President of Global Live events at Tait, leading producing for the international renowned entertainment company.

He was an advisor to the Japan 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Dubai Expo 2020.  In 2018 He was made CBE in The Queen's New Year Honours List. Eurovision has received two Royal Television Society and BAFTA awards.

In this epsiode Martin is generous with his time as he shares examples of how his journey has given him so many experiences that have shaped the person he is today.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor RedBox Events via;

https://www.redboxevents.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor The Hospitality Partnership via;

https://www.hospitality-partnership.com/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Fuchsia Exhibition & Conference Services;
 
https://www.fuchsia-exhibition-services.com/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Rosie Ellis is the Co-founder and Managing Director of EPH Creative (formerly Event Prop Hire), one of the UK’s largest providers of event theming & rental products.  Originally trained in Prop Making (Entertainment Design Crafts) at Cleveland College of Art & Design, she started the company along with her business partner back in in 2003. 

She is passionate about all things Creative –and loves the challenge of finding solutions every day, and creating something new.    Collaboration with colleagues keeps Rosie motivated every day and makes going to work an absolute joy. 

When Rosie isn’t working, Rosie can usually be found attempting to parent four children, or watching something good on Netflix!

Make sure you listen and let your imagination go free as you hear about some of the magical environments Rosie and her team have created.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor RedBox Events via;

https://www.redboxevents.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor The Hospitality Partnership via;

https://www.hospitality-partnership.com/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Fuchsia Exhibition & Conference Services;
 
https://www.fuchsia-exhibition-services.com/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Liz is co-founder of The Community Factory and an attendee engagement expert who specializes in Spontaneous Think Tanks for B2B organizations.

The Community Factory is committed to transforming the event industry by fostering innovative ways to engage and connect. With a rich history in delivering engaging events and networking and connection opportunities, The Community Factory continues to be at the forefront of the event engagement revolution.

After a decades-long career in corporate managing global event teams, she now focuses on helping companies create community at their events and keep them going all year long. She is also the founder of Club Ichi, a community for B2B event marketers. 

Liz is a 20+ year veteran of corporate event marketing life, She ran the global event team for Dell and created Dell World in 2011. She ran the global event team for IBM's Analytics & Hybrid Cloud division. She is one of the founders of experiential agency Haute, and part of the ownership team at Haute Spot music venue in Cedar Park, Texas. She is a writer, investor, speaker, and frequent traveller.

You're going to love the content she shares with us during this episode!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor RedBox Events via;

https://www.redboxevents.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor The Hospitality Partnership via;

https://www.hospitality-partnership.com/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Fuchsia Exhibition & Conference Services;
 
https://www.fuchsia-exhibition-services.com/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
 https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

And it’s a wrap folks!

Can you believe it, Season 12 is over?

And what a cross section of events industry professional Jack and Karen have spoken to, from a Health & Safety expert working out in Dubai to a successful festival organised based in the UK, with the odd event sporting professional thrown in the mix!

The season really has been a rollercoaster of emotions!

For the Wrap Session, we ask our lovely listeners to get in touch and join us for a chat about the guests!  Informed, fun and entertaining  would be the best way to describe our two lovely listeners.

First of all we have Katie Goldsmith

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-goldsmith-308119216/

Katie is the Marketing Executive for StandOut Magazine and Event Buyers Live. She has only been actively working in the events industry for 7 months, and is so far loving every second of it!! Katie has always been a festival goer, it all started with her parents taking her to a variety of different festivals throughout her childhood to present day.

Our second listeners is Emma Couldridge

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-couldridge-7707361b9/

Emma is a final year BA Events Management student at the University of Northampton. Her passions have always laid within the theatre and performance world, and it is her dream to join her two worlds together by working as an Events Coordinator at a theatre.

Thanks for all your continued support of the podcast.

We do appreciate all your messages, calls and suggestions for the podcast.

Enjoy the Wrap, and get ready for Season 13!


Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor EFS Europe via;

https://www.efseurope.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Northampton University via;

https://www.northampton.ac.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Scrap all your preconceptions about Health & Safety professionals.  Eddie is nothing like you imagine them to be!

Eddie was in the construction industry for 20+ years, but when his knees gave up (his words), he decided that he needed a change.  And that change was Health & Safety.  With a long career in the construction industry, Eddie was used to dealing with all kinds of people and working on active and challenging sites… all skills needed for Health & Safety.

Since entering the world of Health & Safety. Eddie hasn’t stopped working.  He has been lucky enough to work on Expo 2020 Dubai, Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022, FIFA Fan Festival in Doha, Wrestling AEW Wembley Stadium, Manchester Gay Pride 2023 and so many more.

Eddie is all about the team – understanding the onsite client team and supporting them.  And most importantly building rapport with the supplier, contractor or exhibitor, sometimes these can be the trickiest to handle.

We guarantee you will want Eddie on your next event!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor EFS Europe via;

https://www.efseurope.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Northampton University via;

https://www.northampton.ac.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Natasha Butt boasts an extensive career spanning nearly two decades in the dynamic field of recruitment, with a specialised focus on the events industry for the past 8 years. Throughout her professional journey, she has collaborated with exhibition/conference organisers, suppliers, and venues on a global scale, contributing valuable insights to the ever-evolving landscape.
 
 As the Co-Founder of Expocast and, most recently, the Founder of ConfexPro, Natasha has been a trailblazer in the realm of UK Inhouse Talent Acquisition Consultancy and Senior Executive Search. Her innovative approach and commitment to excellence have set her apart, fostering successful partnerships and delivering top-tier talent solutions.
 
Beyond her professional pursuits, Natasha gracefully navigates the rewarding role of being a dedicated mother to her four children. In addition to this, she effortlessly juggles the care of two dogs and two bunnies, adding an extra layer of joy and responsibility to her vibrant life. Known for her multitasking prowess, Natasha is also your go-to person for delightful birthday baking on demand!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor EFS Europe via;

https://www.efseurope.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Northampton University via;

https://www.northampton.ac.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

There is never a dull moment when you are chatting to Waleed!

He has many funny and fascinating stories to tell… most of them involving tight deadlines and impossible sets… with underlying great event ideas!!

With over 20 years of experience in developing and engaging communities via a range of projects and multi-platforms, Waleed has become a specialist in connecting brands and organizations with emerging consumer markets internationally.

The past five years have seen Waleed playing a particular focus on the Halal Economy, where he has created some of the projects aimed the Muslim consumer market; London Shopping Festival and London Halal Food Festival. Both of these events have become a landmark event within the UK halal market, and are continuing to grow each year.

Waleed’s company, Algebra Consulting, aims to provide a bridge between the mainstream and Muslim markets, and his sheer passion, drive and determination to grow the worldwide halal economy is pioneering this connection in the UK and around the world. He has now become the number one go-to for any brand or organisation looking to work in the UK Halal market.

Waleed’s ethos can be summarised by Albert Einstein’s famous quote, “try not to become a man of success, rather become a man of value”. This is something he has clearly taken to heart, letting his actions within the industry speak louder than his words.

This is another recording done out on location and in person with Waleed!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor EFS Europe via;

https://www.efseurope.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Northampton University via;

https://www.northampton.ac.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Andy started out working in the events industry back in the 90's as a student making some holiday money by pushing flight cases and positioning the occasional uplighter.  

In his own words, Andy has been fortunate to combine a love of sport and a passion for events for almost 25 years.  He has held various operational positions during ten years at The Great Run Company, He was Senior Sport Manager at the inaugural European Championships in Glasgow in 2018 before deciding to go freelance in 2019.  

Andy has worked on some amazing projects in brilliant places with fantastic people across mass participation and elite sport.

This is another recording done out on location and in person with Andy!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor EFS Europe via;

https://www.efseurope.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Northampton University via;

https://www.northampton.ac.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Gill started her music career at Capital Radio, working her way through the ranks becoming the Head of Entertainment at the station.  She was charged with producing the first ever 100,000 capacity Party in the Park at Hyde Park.

Gill recognised there was a gap in the market for high quality, well made and aesthetically pleasing fencing and barriers.  She co-founded entertee hire, an award winning fencing and barrier company supplying to the event industry.

Within the events industry, Gill is best known for the Black Deer Festival.  Gill is the Co-Founder, Promoter/Festival Director of Black Deer Festival, in its 5th year, staged only 3, because of Covid.  Black Deer encapsulates everything I learned over the many years in the industry and everything I love. 

Gill warm personality shines through on her podcast chat – you can feel the love when she talks about her family and the Black Deer Festival.

This recording was done out on location with Gill, hence some of the background noise during the recording. We don't get much time off from our events!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor EFS Europe via;

https://www.efseurope.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Northampton University via;

https://www.northampton.ac.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Darren has been working in the Events Industry for more than 18 years now, the majority of which he has been in major UK venues – we are talking about 3 arenas across the country, and even some time spent on London 2012. 

Darren now finds himself at Wembley Stadium working for the FA, a venue and a role that any sporting mad events professional would love to work at!!

Darren (in his own words) has been lucky to work across a wide variety of events, from a good number of concerts, sporting events, Live TV Awards Shows (Brit Awards, MOBO Awards), and more recently major Football Tournaments – UEFA EURO 2020 and Women’s EURO 2022.  And throw in a few Disney on Ice’s and an exhibition inn a dis-used Quarry! 

His current role at The FA is as the Stadium Lead for next year’s Champions League Final, being hosted at Wembley Stadium in June. And working as part of the bid team recently successfully awarded the UEFA EURO 2028 Tournament, to be held across the UK & Ireland.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor EFS Europe via;

https://www.efseurope.co.uk/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Northampton University via;

https://www.northampton.ac.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Honesty is always best when it comes to chatting on the podcast, we like to find out about the person behind the LinkedIn profile.
 
 Jack and Karen chat to Neil Fagg, Managing Director of StandOut Magazine and Event Director for Event Buyers Live.  Neil has a great story to tell… like most people, he fell into the events industry!

In his own words, he is “a father of 2, F1 nut and always seeking a new adventure!”

Neil started out as a roofer, then moved into advertising, then one Boxing Day sat in a pub (with his business partner) and decided they should produce a magazine.  Neil had been dealing a lot with the events industry through his work in advertising, he knew this was the industry to target – warm, friendly, and full of interesting people.  And so StandOut Magazine was born.

https://www.standoutmagazine.co.uk/october-2023/

Event Buyers Live, or speed networking for the industry, is in its 9th year.  Neil is passionate about this event, about bringing people together and about listening to the industry.

https://eventbuyerslive.com/

The one thing most people know about Neil is a certain chest waxing event… listen to the podcast to find out all of the details!  

Listen out for our 'special' sponsors this week who are JCFX Media and Wavecastpro

 https://jcfxmedia.co.uk/

https://wavecast.io/

The Wrap Session – Season 11

Well, that’s it folks!  We have reached the end of another fantastic season.

Jack and Karen have chatted to some truly interesting and inspiring guests from across the events industry. From wedding sales to event platform development and everything in between.

For the Wrap Session, we ask our lovely listeners to get in touch, and join us for a chat about the season.  Lively, surprising and entertaining… 3 words to describe our listeners who joined us!!

First of all, we have Gee Edwards

Gee Edwards is a technical production manager with a former background in technical sales and solutions. He has been in the industry for 15 years and has worked with some major organisations and clients. He has had a lot of roles up and down the technical spectrum including a cable wireman on an installation project in a west end theatre right up to a senior production management role handing all aspects of a 300 square meter corporate event and arena work.

You can find him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geeedwards/

https://www.facebook.com/scorpiontechnical 

Our second listeners is Jenny Davies 

Jenny Davies works at The Scouts as an Events & Contingents Officer. This role involves planning and operational delivery of national conferences, Awards celebrations and state events, such as the Scouts involvement in the Coronation, as well as project managing UK attendance at international events. This summer Jenny will be supporting the UK Scouting Contingent of 4500 young people and volunteers in South Korea. 

You can find her at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-bull-davies/

Thanks for all your continued support of the podcast.

We do appreciated all your messages, calls and suggestions for the podcast.

Enjoy the Wrap!



Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Safe Events via;

https://www.safeevents.ie/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Matt Glover Photography via;

https://mattgloverphotography.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Stand building and design is a precise craft.  With a degree in mathematics and a legacy of 70 years in the events industry, Michael was destined to follow in his fathers’ footsteps and work as a stand builder, craftsman and now company MD.

From an early age, Michael was working in the exhibition industry; weekends and holidays were spent learning how to design and install stands.

Michael is a believer in learning on the job.  You need to know how to do, before you manage.

He is also a big believer in taking time out and looking after your mental health.  Cycling is a massive part of his life; cycling to and from exhibitions is the norm for him!

We're so pleased to have Michael join us from Germany and share his journey with you.

Self confessed not to be the most natural speaker in the world, especially in his second language, we're sure you will agree he shares some really great content with you all.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Safe Events via;

https://www.safeevents.ie/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Matt Glover Photography via;

https://mattgloverphotography.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

When you talk to Alon, you realise how important technology is for all our events. Whether it be a virtual event, a registration system or a full event App, technology is now pivitol to our modern day event needs.

Alon, based in sunny New York City, is the Co-Founder and CMO of Bizzabo, the Event Experience Operating System that powers the immersive in-person, virtual and hybrid event experiences of world-leading brands.

In 2012, Alon (alongside his business partners) designed the Bizzabo event App, then came the software in 2015, then the Pandemic hit in 2020.  After losing 50% of his staff to the Pandemic and having a business that relied solely on an industry which had disappeared, Alon had to make some changes, and fast.  Enter the training programme for event professionals; an on-line training session all about how to designed, deliver and run on-line event….. genius!!

Alon works closely with thousands of event executives and CMOs to deliver world-class event programmes.

He was named one of the Meetings industry’s “40 under 40 young leaders” by Collaborate & BizBash Magazine, one of Business Insider’s “2021’s Most Important Marketing Tech Executives”, and a “100 Most Influential People in The Event Industry” by Eventex.

Get ready for a truly fascinating and inspiring chat with Alon.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Safe Events via;

https://www.safeevents.ie/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Matt Glover Photography via;

https://mattgloverphotography.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

For more than two decades and a thousand projects, speechwriter, storyteller and pitch specialist Jason Thomson has been hired to passionately win over audiences and sell ideas through content, writing and storytelling.

Jason is process driven, determined and wants to win every pitch, client, situation he is faced with.  Getting to know the client and the audience are key to his success.

The world’s smartest organizations turn to Jason’s creative leadership and original mind as a way to create better presentations, pitches, events, blogs, PR, infographics, Podcasts, websites, and more – all to address sales, marketing, HR and operational challenges. Jason helps your leaders explore, develop and sell with engaging and clear presentations that inspire action.

As a professional thinker, copywriter and speaker, Jason has fuelled the trajectory of the world’s most important brands, including Intel, RBC Royal Bank, Nissan, Entertainment One and McCain Foods. His powerful perspective on what it takes to imagine, develop and sell an idea transforms audiences, leaving them prepared to think faster, better and brighter.

Did you know… we pass judgement on someone’s character, ability, background, skillset within 4 seconds of meeting them!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Safe Events via;

https://www.safeevents.ie/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Matt Glover Photography via;

https://mattgloverphotography.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Up until the pandemic, very few people had heard of a virtual meeting, let alone attended one.  The pandemic showed us that it is possible to run events in a new way and engage with a larger audience.

Marvin talks about the importance of virtual and hybrid meetings and how Sched, an event management software platform, is helping event organizers and attendees with its innovative and efficient technology. The platform powers various virtual, hybrid, and in-person events, from large-scale conventions to school events and conferences. 
 
With a background in business & brand development, strategy and technology, Marvin understands how and why technology is so important to the events industry and his processes driven methods ensure a product and service that is user friendly and can be used across different sectors.

Marvin is a big believer in technology, its development and how it can enhance corporate events, schools and colleges.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Safe Events via;

https://www.safeevents.ie/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Matt Glover Photography via;

https://mattgloverphotography.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Strap yourself in for the fantastic bundle of energy and enthusiasm that is Kelly Mortimer!

Kelly’s first step into the world of events was certainly not like most people… she took an Event Sales role in the Caribbean. In the words of Kelly, she had never worked in events before, and didn’t know what to expect…. But she was ready for the challenge!

Kelly is all about the customer.

What are the difference types of customers, and what do they want?

She is all about understanding the psychology of the customer.

Kelly is the creator of The Next Level, The Wedding Sales Success programme, The Easy to Buy method and more. Helping Wedding Businesses to book more weddings and drive revenue without the overwhelm.

With over 20 years in the Events & Weddings Industry. Kelly has worked with celebrities and royal clientele including the late Queen Elizabeth 2nd, and with wedding budgets of up to £1million. Kelly spent 10 years in destination weddings followed by an incredible career in the luxury market in London which included: Mandarin Oriental, Claridge’s and being on the opening team for Rosewood London. Before starting her company, Kelly was Group Wedding Sales Director for 45 UK hotels and responsible for a team of 50 wedding planners. Kelly’s strategies have seen her clients reach £multi-Millions in revenue.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Safe Events via;

https://www.safeevents.ie/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Matt Glover Photography via;

https://mattgloverphotography.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Events should be an immersive experience for all!

There was no better place for Jack and Karen to start Season 11 then with a journey to London to chat with Matt Bradley.

Matt’s journey into the events industry is an interesting one.

As a child he went to drama school and aspired to be on stage in the limelight (he is a trained ballet dancer), then, like most boys, he dreamt of being a professional footballer.

This flair for entertaining can be seen in the roles he has undertaken in the events industry.  From Sales Manager to Show Director to now, the face of the Retail Technology Show.

Matt believes that an event is an experience and should excite and entertain guests.

Matt has been the face of RBTE (Retail Business Technology Expo) since its inception in 2010. In this time he has been involved in a variety of roles that have covered all areas of the business ensuring his knowledge of the show and sector is second to none. RBTE was sold to Reed in 2016 where Matt rebranded and renamed the show Retail Expo until the final show in 2019.
 
 The launch of Retail Technology Show with Nineteen Group is spearheaded by Matt and his team and will once again provide a much needed platform for suppliers to showcase the very best and most innovative retail technology solutions whilst the in-depth conference program will give retailers a clear road map for future success.
 
 Featured in several "Retail's most influential" lists he is a well known face within the retail tech industry, has an enviable book of contacts and understands how to truly connect suppliers with buyers and
 
 Matt has spent over 20 years in the exhibition and events industry and has been lucky enough to work with some of the UK's leading exhibition organizers including Upper Street, Clarion, and London Event Co. As a director of Legend Exhibitions, he founded and launched Retail Business Technology Expo and the publication Essential Retail which were both acquired by Reed Exhibitions in 2016. His move to Nineteen Group is just the start of his next exciting chapter.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
 
See more about our Season Sponsor Safe Events via;

https://www.safeevents.ie/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Matt Glover Photography via;

https://mattgloverphotography.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is Yellow Glove Productions;
 
 https://yellow-glove.co.uk/
 
Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Can you believe it, we have reached the end of another season and now here comes the best bit!  We get to review all the episodes with two of our fabulous listeners!

Olivia Preston-Lee is completing her fourth and final year of an Events Management Degree at Leeds Beckett University. On her placement year, Olivia set up her first business, a travelling bar, ‘The Thirsty Mares’, alongside this, Olivia freelances within the events industry. Currently, she is researching the ethics of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Marketing and Events and plans to continue her studies on a Masters Degree in The Philosophy of AI. 

Francesca Rodriguez Balit is the Co-Founder & Event Web Specialist at Bbr Web Design and the Podcast Host of The Events Cast. Francesca helps event professionals build and improve their event websites to better market their events, create better event experiences and sell more tickets. Coming from a background in Event and Marketing, she believes there is a better, easier, and less stressful way of creating and managing event websites. That is why she built Bbr Web Design and Management, a small and friendly web boutique that offers exclusive web services for event professionals.

Heat what each guest thought were the best takeaways from each of our 6 guests… and the bonus episode, and why you should take the time to listen to them yourselves.

Enjoy!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor Encore Global via;

 https://www.encoreglobal.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor JCFX Media via;

 https://jcfxmedia.co.uk/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was AlfaMed Specialist Emergency Care and Training;

https://alfamedsect.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

You either love recruitment, or you don’t!

Quite simply, Robert lives and breathes recruitment. He is the ‘Talent Officer’ for your business.

The events industry is all about people and connections, everyone knows everyone! Roberts’ approach to recruitment is one of partnership. He gets to know the client and the candidate before any introductions are made. He believes on focussing on  quality, only presenting the client with the best candidate (whether that is one or ten).

Robert has spoken at plenty industry events and many of his volunteer roles are aimed at encouraging talent flow into and throughout the events industry. Without recruitment, our industry would grind to a halt.

Get ready for a whistle-stop tour of the world of events and recruitment!

Find out more about what he does via;

www.you-exclusive.com/

 www.eventhub.jobs/

We're lucky to have him in the sector and thanks go to his wife for that.

Robert does have a few issues with his connection during the recording, but we still feel our listeners will benefit from the content he shares.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor Encore Global via;

 https://www.encoreglobal.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor JCFX Media via;

 https://jcfxmedia.co.uk/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was Wavecast;
https://wavecast.io/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

When it comes to the utter fabulousness that is Dan Skermer, listening is definitely believing!  Jack and Karen were mainly speechless when talking to Dan… his career to date has included everything from a yellow banana outfit (made of sponge) to the events entrepreneur that he is today.

Dan has worked in hospitality and events all his life, and nothing makes him happier than bringing people together.  His enthusiasm, drive and determination for the events industry is contagious.  

He is the proud founding member of PA Forum, a community group of over 1200 Executive & Business Support Professionals based in the Midlands. 

Established 7 years ago the community organises a wide variety of events across the region including the annual West Midlands PA Awards, East Midlands PA Awards and PA Forum Learning & Development Conference.

Get ready for a fantastic podcast episode … and maybe even some singing!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor Encore Global via;

https://www.encoreglobal.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor JCFX Media via;

https://jcfxmedia.co.uk/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was a charity focus with Cynthia Spencer;

https://www.cynthiaspencer.org.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Have you ever wondered what it is like to plan and run events at one of the UK’s largest Exhibition Centres?

Join Jack and Karen as they chat to Michelle Baldwin, Head of Events at the NEC about what it is really like to work on some of the most famous events both nationally and internationally.

For Michelle, it all started at the ICC (the International Convention Centre in Birmingham) working for the in-house catering team. Here, she got a flavour for customer service, the venue and mostimportantly the events. She shadowed an ICC Event Manager as was hooked!

From this moment, her 22 year career at the NEC began.

Michelle has worked on a variety of shows such as Commonwealth Games, Spring Fair, BBC Gardeners World and BBC Good Food, Motorcycle Show and Moda... all of them brilliant, exciting and challenging.

Michelle prides herself in passing on her varied experience and nurturing future talent within the events industry. Alongside the responsibility of her role, she heads up the education stream of the NEC by working with schools and universities to encourage young adults to consider a career in events management called Events Week Live

We hope you enjoy the episode and dont forget to leave us some feeedback and a review!

There is a little feedback from Michelle's speaker so you might hear a little echo on occasions from Jack and Karen. We hope this doesnt impact on your listening too much.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor Encore Global via;

https://www.encoreglobal.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor JCFX Media via;

https://jcfxmedia.co.uk/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was Exhibition Vision ;

https://www.exhibitionvision.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Just when you thought the Podcast couldn’t give you anymore…

A Bonus edition pops up!!

In this episode, Jack & Karen talk to the fabulous Caroline Clift, Content Manager for Event Buyers Live and Editor of StandOut Magazine.

Like most people, Caroline fell into the events industry.  A chance meeting with Neil Fagg 18 years ago (this is a story you can hear all about in the podcast… let’s just say there was body paint involved) and she was hooked.

Caroline is all about people; about finding the story behind the story and about connecting people.

She loves nothing more than getting on her high-viz and wellies and heading out into a field to find out more about an event.

Jack & Karen were invited to Event Buyers Live at the end of November to capture the flavour of this fantastic industry event.  Affectionately known as ‘the place to do business’, Event Buyers Live promises you pre-arranged and one-on-one meetings between live event organisers and suppliers. 

This episode doesn’t just talk to Caroline, we also share some of the live recordings we did from the event, when many of the participants shared with us their own thoughts and take aways. 

It is very clear that Event Buyers Live is brought to the industry, by the industry now. Neil, as the event co-founder, now feels responsible to protect the format and brand as it continues to deliver for both suppliers and buyers. It's no longer “his baby" but the industry’s to nurture, evolve and look after as we all move forward together. When listening to Caroline you can hear those same nurturing values shining through. 

There have been many discussions at #EBL22 on collaboration, business and partnerships.  Watch this space... they may well have a "new baby" to announce in the near future!

 https://eventbuyerslive.com/

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor Encore Global via;

https://www.encoreglobal.com/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

The world of events is not only production, planning and people, it the detail and the making of lasting memories.

Rita and her family at Eventologists support clients with the details, the innovative theming ideas which make an event pop and stand out from the crowd.

https://eventologists.co.uk/

Rita is passionate about bringing an event to life no matter what the size and shape available! There is a prop, a room dressing or idea to suit every type of event.

Having a background in marketing has helped Rita understand her clients brands, and desire to showcase their businesses, products or services.

Rita successfully combines family and business life–something many of us strive to achieve.

Enjoy Jack and Rita’s chat, you will certainly have an appreciation for the details.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor Encore Global via;

https://www.encoreglobal.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor JCFX Media via;

https://jcfxmedia.co.uk/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was Velody ;

https://www.velody.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Episode two guest is Wolfgang Meurs. The is no better words to describe this episode than those from Rudyard Kipling 'The Strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack'.

Wolfie, as he is known to those who know him, is from Cape Town, South Africa. 

He’s been living in London for 12 years. Always a big fan of sports, he enjoys most days outside either at a music festival or having a braai or as it’s called in the UK a barbeque. 

Hear how having an engineering background (studied in Cape Town), led to his hands on roles across the events sector. 

A love for seeing an event site grow from either an empty ballroom in a hotel or an open field. His role and experience in crewing has enabled a lot of learning and skill development, such as dealing with high pressure situations, time keeping, dealing with difficult clients and just general people skills. 

At the time of this recording Wolfie is working on a 9 month project out in Doha, Qatar, called Winter Wonderland. It’s a semi-permanent theme park they have built in 8 months based on the manmade island of Lusail. 

Listen throughout the episode as Wolfie shares some of he experiences, some of the situations he has faced as well as some of the learning that has been passed on to him over the years.  Both Jack, Karen and Wolfie were all on location in differing countries, in different time zones whilst recording, and some of the audio is effected by noise and connection issues, but this doesn't stop listeners from engaging with the content shared.

Most of us know how important the role crew provide on projects, but have you ever understood the potential of that role and the actual people who deliver it. This episode certainly gives you a flavour of that.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor Encore Global via;

https://www.encoreglobal.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor JCFX Media via;

https://jcfxmedia.co.uk/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was Tick Business Support ;

https://www.tickbusiness.com/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

If Cat doesn’t inspire you to say ‘YES’ to new opportunities in the events world, then no one will.

She is positive and passionate about all the live events she has worked on, even her year at Disney World didn’t dampen her enthusiasm!

She spent a year telling people to “stand behind the line” before the Parade started.

She has worked on some truly fantastic events, in locations that most of us can only dream of going to. Just take a look at Envision Festival in Costa Rica to get an understanding of what Cat gets involved with!

In her spare time (if there is such a thing for an events professional who is also a marketeer, graphic designer, and self-confessed personal development aholic) she is also part of the growing world of NOWIE–The Network of Women In Events.

By the end of the this conversation, you will realise that working is important, but so is taking timeout for your own growth and personal development. This was certainly food for thought for Jack & Karen.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/

See more about our Season Sponsor Encore Global via;

https://www.encoreglobal.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor JCFX Media via;

https://jcfxmedia.co.uk/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was Green Sense Events ;

https://www.greensenseevents.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

It’s the end of Season 9 and we get to look back on it with two fabulous listeners from different areas of the globe and different backgrounds.ChantelleDeLoughrey has recently graduated from the Technological University of Shannon, Ireland, with a BA(Hons) in Business Studies with an Event management degree. She is currently working as an Events Officer at the Good GovernanceInstitute.Chantelle has completed two internships during her studies as a marketing assistant and an Event Project Manager, as well as carrying out a research project on the social impact of festivals on host communities’ quality of life. 

Also joining us was Shivani Primalani. Shivani graduated as a BA(Hons) EventsManagement student as well as a MA in Marketing Management for Events, Hospitality & Tourism student. Throughoutheruniversity journey, Shivani worked mainly in Events & Hospitality.She completed an internship working as Accommodation Manager for the World Para Athletics Championship and AAFWorld Championship held in 2017 in London. Hear what each guest thought were the best takeaways from each of our 6guests this season and why you should take the time to listen to them yourselves

Organising events is challenging enough, but when you throw in global events, televised events and heated competition between participants… you are dealing with a completely different event monster!

It takes a cool, calm head to deliver these kinds of events.

Lindsay has managed and led international sporting events for more than 20 years across more than 25 sports. As the event director of the multi-award-winning Vitality Netball World Cup 2019, Lindsay held executive responsibility for Netball World Cup 2019 Ltd, which produced a profit in excess of £1 million, exceeded ticket sales targets by nearly 50 per cent and epitomised its values of inspiring and empowering women and welcoming the world to the iconic city of Liverpool.

 Lindsay also led the European Archery Championships in 2016, the Badminton and Rhythmic Gymnastics venue at the London 2012 Olympic Games and has extensive experience delivering projects for event owners, venues, local authorities, and international sports federations.

Lindsay is currently the Event Director for the World Triathlon Championship Series Leeds 2022 which takes place on 11th and 12th of June.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

See more about our Season Sponsor Actavo Events via;

https://actavo.com/careers#/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor International Institute of Live Events via;

https://www.iiole.com/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was Event and Show Services ;

https://www.eventandshowservices.com/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

What to say about Matt (or Matthew for his Mum) Lamb! He is everything that you expect an event professional to be; energetic, passionate, fun and just a little bit crazy!

In their conversation with Matt, Karen & Jack covered everything from frustrations with zoom calls, to attending events around the world (and what you can learn from them).

We hope that what you gain from listening to this podcast is that events are like people–all different, all with their own set of challenges and never the same! Matts adventures have taken him literally 'Around the World in 80 Events'. He has experienced what 80 events in 26 countries are and what the event is: it’s impact, the environment, the bigger picture surrounding the event.

We all want to ‘think outside the box' and push the boundaries with our events. Matt does this with his passion for the customer experience and the customer journey. He wants us to look at the customer journey in a different way and challenge the norms.

Are you ready to get on board his double-decker bus? Happy listening!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

See more about our Season Sponsor Actavo Events via;

https://actavo.com/careers#/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor International Institute of Live Events via;

https://www.iiole.com/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was Green Sense Events ;

https://www.greensenseevents.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Our Events Industry is full of so many interesting and inspiring people, none more so than Craig Hancox.  With a background as a chef, Craig is the perfect person to whet our appetites and talk about event catering.

We have all attended or planned numerous events, and what is one thing we always remember and comment on… the FOOD!  Without realising it, the food and drink we are offered at an event is just as important as the event itself.

In Craig’s earlier career he worked a number of hotels where he learned what it took to deliver the highest levels of service. Craig later went on to become Head of Catering at Coventry City Football club’s Highfield Road Stadium before joining the ICC (International Convention Centre, Birmingham) team in 2004. 

It was here at the ICC that Craigs’ passion for food, good wines and ‘best in class customer service really shone through.   Craig leads his busy team, providing award-winning catering to more than 350 events each year. From high profile events such as the Conservative Party Conference and international conferences to small meetings for just a few people and many banqueting events, it is fair to say that Craig has to cater for a variation of guests.

In 2018 Craig and his team won the prestigious Catey Award for Health & Nutrition for the Focus food menu (which promotes the importance of nutrition in mental health and well-being).

If you want to understand more about the planning that goes into a 1,000 + banquet, or what to hear about the latest initiatives for sustainable food sourcing, recycling and waste management, have a listen to the podcast.

One thing is for sure, you will be hungry afterwards!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

See more about our Season Sponsor Actavo Events via;

https://actavo.com/careers#/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor International Institute of Live Events via;

https://www.iiole.com/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was Re:Vamp Marketing ;

https://revamp-marketing.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Peter Watts joins Jack and Karen on this weeks episode of the podcast. 

He has an extensive background in the industry where he has enjoyed building, developing, progressing and growing sports venues, events and companies. You will hear how his focus remains on his customers, he’s an advocate for progressing staff engagement, with a desire to see sustainable practices delivered through great operational performance.

His company Rockvolt are based in the UK and primarily focused on the sport and leisure sector.  They have three decades of experience and have worked at some of the world’s largest, most prestigious and exciting venues and events, including four Olympic Games.

Peter shares where he started in events and how some of those experiences have allowed him to grow. With a passion for both sport and music he started purely as a spectator and fan but the bug got to him and he found a route to get paid for doing what he enjoyed. 

This episode also allows Peter the chance to share some difficult experiences with us that have shaped him as well as those that make us laugh.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

See more about our Season Sponsor Actavo Events via;

https://actavo.com/careers#/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor International Institute of Live Events via;

https://www.iiole.com/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was Cynthia Spencer Hospice;

https://www.cynthiaspencer.org.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

This week Karen and Jack are joined by Luke Buckley.  He really does educate us on how tech can enhance the experience of any event. 

Luke is a proactive and hands-on marketing graduate with global sales and project management experience. His academic knowledge is supported by experience in high-pressure environments where creativity, communication and time management are vital. 

During the conversation you will hear how effective Luke is both working with his team and also within a sales environment. 

He has embraced both the high and low periods of his education and professional life and tailored that learning to enhance his performance and personable skills. He now shares this with people he works with to help shape their futures.  

Listen as Luke takes us on his own journey and offers some of those bits of advice along the way that could help you at different stages of your own careers. 

Both Jack and Luke were out on location on projects so the audio isn't quite as clean as normal, but it didn't stop the laughter especially when Luke's room service arrived (don't worry it didn't make the final cut!)

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
 www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

See more about our Season Sponsor Actavo Events via;

https://actavo.com/careers#/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor International Institute of Live Events via;

https://www.iiole.com/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was Premier Construction & Events;

Email; premierevent@btinternet.com

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

This week Karen and Jack are joined by Jenn Artura. An inspirational event professional based out in the Boston area across in the USA. 

An award winning, high-performing, strategic Experiential Marketing and Events executive. Jenn transforms business challenges into one of a kind, creative solutions and experiences that solve problems, elevate brands, generate revenue, define culture, and give back to the community. 

 She loves the endless opportunities events provide to inspire and drive behaviour in others. In recognition of this, she is proud to have won various awards, including an "Event Marketer B2B Technology Award" and the 2018 "100 Women Who Inspire" Innovator Award" from Smart Meetings Magazine. In 2020, she also received the "2020 Planner of the Year Award" from Smart Meetings magazine for contributions to the industry during COVID-19 and she was named "1 of 10 top Women in Experiential Marketing" by Event Marketer Magazine. 

Jenn also enjoys giving back to the industry by participating in various board and advisory roles and donating her time and expertise as a speaker, panellist and leadership mentor on topics related to women's empowerment, strategic event design and experiential marketing.

Strap in, as Jenn shares her journey and where her passion came from, some of the people she met that shaped her career and some of the fabulous experiences she has been a part of and created. Prepare to be inspired!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
 
 www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

See more about our Season Sponsor Actavo Events via;

https://actavo.com/careers#/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor International Institute of Live Events via;

https://www.iiole.com/

This weeks quickfire round sponsor was EPH Creative;

https://www.eventprophire.com/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

It’s the end of Season 8 and we get to look back on it with two fabulous listeners from different areas of the globe and different backgrounds.

Graeme is a pioneer in Christian Media with over 25 years of experience. With a particular skill in live television, he has produced and directed some of the largest Christian events over the past two decades. Having worked in the USA, UK, Europe, Africa, Israel, Hong Kong, India, South America and Australia, Graeme is highly regarded within the industry as a Christian media professional. Before founding Media Mentoring, Graeme was the Chief Operating Officer of GOD TV.

Also joining us was Erika Riekki. Erika is an Event Producer in the creative and cultural industries. Most recently, she was part of the bid-winning team for Oulu2026, bringing the European Capital of Culture 2026 to Northern Finland, where she comes from.

Hear what each guest thought were the best takeaways from each of our 6 guests this season and why you should take the time to listen to them yourselves.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;

www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

This week Karen and Jack are joined by Naomi Hollas. Naomi is a 2019 International Event Management Graduate from Glasgow Caledonian University, and the Founder of Event Grads, the community for event management students and graduates.

Over the past 7 years, Naomi worked her way up the Scottish festival sector from the Hebridean Celtic Festival to TRNSMT. She recently left her full-time role to pursue her freelance career and support projects such as BVEP’s Event Apprenticeship scheme.

In 2021, Naomi was featured on the BBC, named one of The Meeting's Show Tomorrow Talent winners and was shortlisted for the EVCOM Realise Award. She sits on the EventWell Junior Board and is a member of HIT Scotland's Futures Group.

Hear how this all happened, what she values most about her experience and the contacts she’s made and how events have shaped the event professional she is currently and the one she aims to be moving forward.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;

www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

When you think about the world of event production, what are the first words that spring to mind? Are they:
Pontins
Robot Wars
Spontaneous and Ambitious
We are guessing no!!

In episode 5, Karen and Jack were lucky enough to catch up with Dave Young, Head of Production at ICC Belfast. His career to date is certainly very interesting and he has gained valuable experience and knowledge from some unique roles!
In this episode, you will hopefully appreciate that event production is more than lamps, cables and staging… it is working with the client to help them deliver successful, impactful events with a team that is passionate about their event.
Dave talks passionately about event production, technology and how the industry is evolving to adapt to a more demanding and creative thinking client.
Dave’s experience has come from further education, the entertainment industry, venues and agencies.

This breadth and depth of experience have landed him his current role at ICC Belfast. Dave and his team have successfully adapted the technical offering to suit the changing demands of the client. The ICC Belfast is a shining example of a ‘hybrid by design venue’ that has continued to invest in and develop its technical offering to ensure that clients have the last technical available to them.
Listen now to find out more about event production.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;

www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

Food, glorious food, 
Hot sausage and mustard.
While we're in the mood
Cold jelly and custard

That’s right, we’re talking food this week in Episode 4. 

We have the wonderful Priya Narain joining Jack and Karen to discuss all things catering. 

However its not just catering. Listen to how this event professional fits three jobs into her working week. It’s just that only one of them pay the bills, the other two are labours of love currently. 

As well as being Event Sales Manager at KERB Events she is also Co-founder of Event First Steps and Diverse Speaker Bureau.

Listen to the conversation as we see how this journey came about, how sometimes a backward step can be the best this to then move forward, and why she loves talking about our industry and the people in it. 

There certainly weren’t many questions needed during this episode as Priya talked openly about her feelings, her passions and her plans. She also shares some valuable insights and advice to those who either currently work within the sector or plan to in the future. It certainly wasn’t in her own plans when she finished university, but she truly loves what she does now.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;

www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

In Episode 3, we turn our focus to the events industry and education.

We are joined by Claire Leer, Senior Lecturer at the University of Northampton.  Claire lectures in Events Management and Tourism, and as you will hear, is passionate about what she does.

But Claire has not always been in further education.

She started out studying Business Studies at University, and it was after her year-long work placement, that she discovered her love for the events industry.  The placement year was delivering events and exhibitions for the plastics industry… in Claire’s’ words, there isn’t anything she doesn’t know about plastic!

Skip forward a few years, and for many, Claire lands the dream job, working for Avon organising Incentive Trips for the top 25 managers in the Republic of Ireland.

Picture this:  weekly flights to foreign destinations, menu tastings, wine tastings, and many excursions to see what the destination city has to offer – this was her life for 7 years! Fantastic you may think?  And it was!  Claire is the first to admit that this was a perfect job for this time in her life.

Sometimes though a change is needed and enter the world of further education.

Claire’s industry knowledge, passion and experience are infectious which is possibly why she thrives in her role at the University of Northampton.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;

www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

This week on episode two, Karen and Jack are joined by Ross Robertson Managing Director (UK & Europe) – Arena Structures.

With over 24 years of experience in the events industry and with the majority of that time working with some of the largest marquee / temporary structure companies in the UK, Ross has a wealth of experience in the events industry.

His attention to detail and customer service is recognised across the sector and when you consider he has been involved in major events throughout the UK such as MTV Awards, Ryder Cup, Scottish Open and many Music Festivals you can see the trust clients place in him.

Listen to some of the stories he shares from projects large and small, some of the learning he gained throughout the years of practice and the advice he would share with others already working, or looking to work within the sector.

He also uses the opportunity to test Karen and Jack with his own question to them, see if either of them get flustered at all!

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;

www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

Episode one is a treat for you all. We head out to Dubai to meet Paul Lovett.

Paul’s success comes from 30 years of experience in building teams to deploy at events all over the world, resulting in millions of man-hours of work. His unsurpassed knowledge of equipment logistics ensures that the projects he works on are delivered on time, on budget and surpass the expectation of clients.

Paul, along with his brother Craig, formed the company, Incognitus. Incognitus has done numerous Olympic Games, Music Festivals, Horse Races, Brand Activations, Luxury Events and more.

However, this all started with a conversation in an Australian bar as a teenager, someone willing to take a chance on them, followed by a lot of hard work. Listen to how that beginning took him and his brother around the world, working on some of the biggest events in the international calendar.


Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;

www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

Welcome to Season 8 of The Events Insight. We’ve kept with tradition and made a few changes the season, none more so than someone new behind the microphone!

Yes, that’s right, Ellan has decided to take a different role moving forward and Jack introduces Karen Edwards on this short introduction to the new season. Hear about her background in events and how she plans to keep Jack in check during this new season.

We also have some other new faces too including our new producer Callum, and during the course of the season, we will be introducing you to other members of the team who keep the podcast moving forward.

We have an exciting season ahead, so we hope you are looking forward to it as much as we all are to bring it to you.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;

www.theeventsinsight.com/
www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
twitter.com/The_EventsIn

For the finale of our 7th Season of The Events Insight podcast (yes, that’s right, seven whole
seasons already) we are joined by two more lovely listeners; Event Coordinator Bianca
Mureșan and Digital Event Professional Nyomi Rose. Bianca and Nyomi chat to Jack and Ellan about all things events and the unique individuals who make this wonderful industry so exciting, sharing their thoughts, ideas and opinions so candidly. Our wrap sessions are always extra special because we get to know our listeners better and hear what our they really think about each of our guests as we review every episode.

So, thank you to all of you who have listened, shared, subscribed and contributed to
making this podcast the success that it is. See you in Season 8!

Quickfore Sponsor: Sixty7 Pr Ltd

We’re joined in this episode by Nathan Angus, MD of Wildfire Agency in Sheffield, UK.  Nathan delivers a vast and varied array of experiences and activities for events; from props to hovercrafts and The Crystal Maze.

At the ripe old age of 11, Nathan ventured into his field of expertise when he helped out a family friend who supplied squad bikes for kid’s parties (although, in reality, he mostly found himself feeding or plucking turkeys). When Nathan was 14, his dad bought the business and, a few years later, Nathan joined then him, becoming MD six years ago.

Asked to name his favourite event, Nathan struggles because he has worked in so many beautiful venues and locations delivering so many different experiences, but there is one annual event for his local children’s hospital that wins the prize for the feel good factor - despite the cold and wet conditions. 

Wildfire Events delivered their first virtual event just days before lockdown hit in 2020, resulting in many valuable collaboration opportunities over the coming months and bringing the events community together. Recognising the industry as one of the greatest in the world, he firmly believes in Sinatra, red wine and trusting one’s gut. We couldn’t agree more.

Don’t forget to check out our new weekly content on YouTube now too.

Keep a track of all that's going on with the Podcast via;
   
  www.theeventsinsight.com/
  www.linkedin.com/company/the-events-insight-podcast/
  www.instagram.com/the_eventsin/
  twitter.com/The_EventsIn

Combining sports and music - “an amalgamation of peoples passions” - is the role of this week’s longer-than-usual episode, where Managing Director of Bournemouth 7s Festival, Craig Mathie, chats to Jack and Ellan about working in events. Craig highlights all the great things about working in events (and there are many), and shares his enthusiasm and passion for our brilliant industry.

“As far as day jobs go, I’ve got a pretty good one” Craig admits. But along with this he is on the Board  of the National Outdoor Events Association,  he also recently set up the South Coast Events Forum and is currently launching The Event Crowd, an event management course for the next generation of event professionals. “Events people like to be busy” he ruminates.

Knowing from a very early age that he wanted to work in events, he snubbed a career in law to study sports management and took the role of Events officer for the Student Union. But it was  personal tragedy that catapulted him into the world of events. A stint in the hospitality sector, some intensive volunteering and saying “Yes” to every opportunity gave him valuable grounding and knowledge and he joined the Bournemouth 7s team ten years ago, aged just 24.  Six years’ later he became Managing Director and he’s now keen to support the broader industry.

Showcasing the value of teamwork and surrounding yourself with good people, the Bournemouth 7s Festival is an experience not to be missed - if you haven’t been and you’re in the UK, the next hour may convince you to attend sometime.

Don’t forget to check out our new weekly content on YouTube now too.

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With a huge passion for exhibitions, having walked thousands of miles in exhibition halls over thirty years, our guest this week shares his enthusiasm for our industry and explains why, for him, it’s all about meeting people face to face and engaging.

Joining Jack and Ellan from the fair city of Dublin, Stephan Murtagh (a.k.a. The Exhibition Guy) takes us on his journey, starting with The Yellow Pages and radio advertising, to finding his true passion in exhibitions. On his first day working in the sector back in 1992, Stephan was handed a floorplan to fill and left to it. He’s been working with exhibition organisations and exhibiting companies ever since and still absolutely loves it.

Listen now to learn about triskaidekaphobia and the three most important numbers when
exhibiting, and why we now need to focus on clients, take a step back and be more human in our approach.

Don’t forget to check out our new weekly content on YouTube now too.

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Revealing some of the magic about working in large-scale event production, Director of BH Events, Andy Dunlop, chats to Jack and Ellan about his work, his industry and how someone who wasn’t really into live music ended up making it his career.

Over the last 15+ years, Andy has worked with some BIG names in the entertainment industry, such as Tom Jones and The Spice Girls, as well as with the BBC and Sky TV, and he’s travelled the world as a band promoter and tour manager. In true rock & roll style, Andy’s first ever live music event ended with the police shutting them down, but that, along with challenges like a mid-act power cut, didn’t put him off and he has continued to seize every opportunity, working with some really special crews, building his business and raising a family in our often crazy events industry.

Now settled back in his home town of Glasgow, his busy schedule sees him continuing to  promote his beloved home city with local events, concerts and live music festivals, and 2022 is looking “insanely busy” - but “it’s good to be back!”  

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We travel across the pond again in our 2nd episode Season 7, all the way to Wisconsin, U.S.A, to meet the delightful founder of Planners on Purpose and Customer Success Director for Meetings and Incentives Worldwide, Naomi Tucker.
 

With over 25 years industry experience and a passion for her peers’ emotional and mental health and wellbeing, Naomi coaches ambitious and driven planner out of their burnout and overwhelm - a common issue in this high-pressure environment of events.
 

Starting our straight from college at the Hyatt Regency, Naomi worked her way up to catering management, where she discovered her love for events. Moving into event planning took her all over the world, leading a team delivering around 2,000 events per year. This led her to her current role with Meetings and Incentives Worldwide, alongside founding her coaching business.
 

A lifelong learner and advocate of active listening, hear how Naomi uses her experiences of working hard and playing hard to help and advise others in similar situations, encouraging them to make time for self-care so that they can continue to live their best life and enjoy everything that working in events has to offer - which, as we know, is a lot!

Don’t forget to check out our new weekly content on YouTube now too.

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Welcome to Season 7 of The Events Insight. We’ve made a few changes this season, including a new Producer and a few new features!

We kick off with a fabulous guest; the highly entertaining magician, mind reader, hypnotist and thief, Paul Newton. As an entertainer, author and keynote speaker, Paul is storming the events circuit blowing minds using magic and mind reading to steal words from your head and hack your personal information.

Pinpointing the origins of his interest as the moment he received a Paul Daniels magic kit at around six years old, Paul has honed his craft so well that it has been said that he could now actually pose a national security risk!

Paul’s enthusiasm for the entertainment, hospitality and events industry is infectious and he had us laughing throughout the whole recording. Hear how he got to where he is now, from his involvement early on in youth theatre to finding his niche and quitting the “day job”. Listen as he takes us on his journey through the theatre and entertainment sector to keynote speaking and making the most unflappable minds start to feel uneasy.

Don’t forget to check out his skill with elastic bands on our social media too!

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We can’t quite believe it but we’re wrapping up our sixth season already! Our wrap sessions are always great fun because we get to chat with real listeners and find out exactly what they think of the podcast - and we get the chance to re-visit the last six episodes.
 
In this season’s wrap we chat with the lovely independent meeting planner from Washington D.C., Anne Knox, and brand & marketing strategist from the North West of England, Aidan Campbell, also a former Quickfire sponsor. It was good to hear why they both listen to the podcast, both being inspired by our guests valuable insight into the industry through the individual stories.
 
Much of our guests’ words resonated with Anne’s experience working in event planning, whilst Aidan, keen to move into events with his marketing business, highly valued the opportunity to learn more about it. From valuing the community feel to managing expectations and constantly learning to name just a few of the topics discussed, we also covered dodgy karaoke songs, TV and film inspired ambitions and similarities to Mary Poppins.
 
 Enjoy our wrap session - and we’ll see you in Season 7 (coming soon)!
 
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Our final guest this season is well-known in the international events sector, a real superstar lady with a superstar name (drum roll please), the award-winning businesswoman, media commentator and marketing consultant, Liz Taylor.

Starting out over thirty years ago with just £200, Liz seized an opportunity to create an event, completely by chance, and had that same “lightbulb moment” that many of our guests have talked about.  Since then she has built a multi-million pound international corporate event and luxury party planning business.

Exuding energy and confidence - and with much humour - she generously shares some of her no-nonsense advice to all those working in the events industry. Agreeing that you are only ever as good as your last event, she acknowledges that “everyone has a story to tell, always listen” and explains why you should “never underestimate anybody”.

A firm believer that live events would return (she was right), Liz has made the most of the last 18 months setting up a consultancy, broadcasting the podcast “Events That Made Me” and finishing her book, “Taylor Made” (out in September), which tells her story in far more detail than we have time for in this episode - so take a listen, we know you’ll want to know more.

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We’re all about demonstrating the vast range of roles that make up our diverse events industry, and this episode does just that as we chat with paramedic, Ben Sévellec.

Whilst he may not have always known he’d end up in events, let alone run  his own business doing so, Ben knew from being a small boy that he wanted to be a paramedic (he admits to us here that watching Casualty played a bit part in this). 

In 2018, after a number of years achieving his dream, Ben set up a medical support service for events and is currently busy planning for a number of events over the summer. He hopes to simply be sitting drinking coffee at these events, but attendees can rest assured that he’ll be ready to step up and deal with any medical emergencies in is mobile A&E department.

This has to be one of the best (and longest) quick fire rounds we’ve had yet, where we are left with visions of Mr Bean hovering two inches off the ground, using jump leads and a Mini battery as a defibrillator.  Rest assured that in reality he does actually keep logical and focused under pressure - but only so long as he gets a certificate.


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Joining us this week from Sydney, Australia, Jack and Ellan chat with the Chief Creative Officer of Orbits,  Nena Salobir. One of our most recent additions to the full-time events profession yet, Nena co-founded immersive online venue, Orbits,  during the Covid pandemic and is now creating engaging online venues and experiences for a number of big, global names.

A law school dropout who found her calling in visual marketing and creative design, Nena and her partner Lachlan Phillips were running a start up business creating automated video advertising when the pandemic hit. The impact was significant and they had to be innovative and pivot quickly in response. Spotting an opportunity to ensure that life online was not a lesser experience, they set up Orbits to translate real world experiences online without compromise. 

Talking about how she deals with managing her high expectations in an industry known for things not always going right, Nena encourages people starting out in the current climate not to give up on their dreams but “be prepared to throw your expectations out” sometimes.

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Taking a deeper look into the performance aspect of events, this week we are graced with the company of Dublin-born, musician, actor, writer and producer, Ged Graham. Ged has spent the last 40+ years both on stage and behind the scenes, touring large parts of the world as a musician and theatre performer and producer, and he’s happy to admit that “every day has been fantastic!”

 
One of the few people that knew from a very early age (four years old, in fact) what he wanted out of life, he was a professional musician by the age of 16. Embracing the punk ethos of the 1970’s of “doing it yourself’, he started out playing in bands across Europe, eventually becoming tour manager.

A little later on he returned to education, where he landed the role of Head of Music at Trafford College, later becoming Centre Manager for the British Academy of New music in London and eventually opening his own music schools. When the admin got too much, he moved across to theatre and toured a large part of the world as a featured performer, leading to writing and producing his own shows.

A keen advocate of continuous learning, Ged takes us on his exciting journey from performing to producing, offering some excellent advice for those starting out both on and off stage in the world of live performance, and reminding us that “you don’t have to reinvent this industry - it’s all there for you to explore.”

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Continuing the international feel of the Season, we’re joined in this episode by the “excuse-buster from Down Under”, Lizzy Williamson, who joins us from Sydney, Australia. Hold onto your hats as the Event Energiser, Personal Trainer, TV star and author of “Two Minute Moves” shares her story and gets us (well, Jack) moving.

As a child, Lizzy dreamt of becoming a professional dancer; dancing was her life and her ticket out of the small town in which she grew up. She achieved her dream and was loving her life when an irresponsible and inappropriate comment changed everything.  Around the same time she put her career on hold to become a mother and, two kids later, found herself in a dark place, eventually being diagnosed with postpartum (or postnatal) depression.

Lizzy tells us how she found her way back to being one of the most positive, energetic and inspiring people we’ve ever met. Starting slowly, she began to share her story with others with stories of their own, and she soon recognised and built on her skill in lifting people up both physically and mentally.

Then one day, after being at one too many events watching audiences flag after sitting for long periods (we’ve all been there), Lizzy decided she’d get up on stage to deliver bite-size energising wellness breaks, from “chair yoga” to full-on dancing, to help delegates re-focus and re-engage. Now in demand at virtual and live events all over the world, Lizzy spreads her joy, lifts people up and helps them to fly.

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We kick off Season Six with Glen Kopelchak, founder and MD of Hong Kong based consultancy, Illuminate International Sourcing. Calling himself an “old soul”, Glen’s career in events and exhibitions spans over 30 years and has taken him to all four corners of the earth.
 
 Currently working from Shanghai, he started his career in his home town in Toronto, Canada. Back then the events industry was known as a “phantom industry” because nobody really understood what it all meant. But with a strong desire to see the World, he left a secure corporate job in search of international travel after seizing an opportunity to work for a weekend at an exhibition install. He worked from 6am until midnight on both days (“it was fun - it wasn’t like I was working”) and he never looked back, staying with that same Company for 26 years!
 
 Glen set up his company in Hong Kong seven years ago and really enjoys the short route to satisfaction working in events, along with the unspoken language of trust and community that crosses cultures across the globe - but he stays mindful that “when it comes down to it, you’re only as good as your last job.” Another keen advocate of humility - as many of our guests have been - he believes a mix of confidence and humility works best, warning that “if you’re not humble, eventually you’re gonna get humbled.”
 
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