22 December 2020 - Submitted by Guest Author Submitted by Guest Author on 22 December 2020
The twenty second in a series by Stress Matters, who have been asking those across the events industry - how are you doing?
Richard Waddington, former CEO and founder of First Protocol (now First Agency), chair of the Event Marketing Association (EMA).
I ve been in the events industry since I was 14 when I started helping out in the kitchens of our local hotel washing pots and peeling veg, eventually progressing to the restaurant – Id made it!! Well, certainly got the bug for hospitality. I’ve just turned 60 which I find hard to believe, but hey it’s only a number.
18 December 2020 - Submitted by Guest Author Submitted by Guest Author on 18 December 2020
The seventeenth in a series by Stress Matters, who have been asking those across the events industry - how are you doing?
Cecilia Lavin, head of the EMEA sales team for One World rental and president of International Live Events Association (ILEA) UK, on the importance of taking a break.
I am so excited for Christmas break, it s been a tough year. I am lucky enough to be full time employed by an employer who has managed to survive this, but it has been emotionally and mentally draining, and I think people need that break now.
Dan Bearpark of Prestige Events on how to find employment during the pandemic.
I ve been in the events industry for 20 years. For the last nine months I’ve just been trying to keep busy, and to be honest over the summer it was 18 hour days for four months. But, I prefer to be like that than quiet.
My wife is in the hospitality industry, so it has been stressful for both of us. The government said that we can now get back to doing events, but now because of the tiering system we aren’t sure where that leaves us. However, I’ve been fortunate enough to still have some interaction. We ve been offering everybody free press releases on our website and things like that just to try and help a little bit.
15 December 2020 - Submitted by Olivia Powell Submitted by Olivia Powell on 15 December 2020
The fifteenth in a series by Stress Matters, who have been asking those across the events industry - how are you doing?
Carrie Cameron-Smith, operations manager at SJ Event Consultancy, on learning to take the time to care for herself as well as others.
I first became involved in events during my University placement year in Frankfurt and knew right away that it was what I wanted to do. I’ve worked in event management agencies since 1999 and have been at SJ Events for eighteen months now. I really enjoy the role.
Event producer, project director and operations director Ajay Parekh gives a freelancer s perspective on the pandemic.
I’ve been working in this industry, starting in theatre at the age of 16, worked in film, television, live music and more specifically the corporate live events industry for the last 30 years.
Unfortunately I was made redundant in March for reasons we all know, and spent the last 6/7 months effectively using up all of my cash reserves looking for work. But very glad to be home in the UK with my dear wife and my younger daughter of course as well.
Low points of the year have to be the feeling of being adrift, being disconnected, not being able to fulfil my ambitions, aspirations, as well as the trauma of knowing that I cannot support my family as I would want to.