View of a path through fields leading to mountains in the distance

How To Show Great Leadership Through Events

by News

Being a great leader has evolved and changed considerably as the physical space has been removed. This has seen good leaders adapting their style, fully understanding their audiences and embracing the new way of working. 

This is not easy, and unfortunately a number of leaders have fallen by the wayside as they have kept on leading like they always have, failing to connect with their workforce and identifying what their needs and expectations are. These leaders’ shift has been virtual only and their demands, methods, output and expectations have not changed, meaning that they have lost sight of their employees and, in turn, have suffered because of that. 

But I am very happy to say, there are a lot of leaders out there who are not like the aforementioned and have altered their leadership styles for the world we are now living in and a big part of this is looking after those in their charge. 

As you know, we have been running a number of virtual events over lockdown. These are great fun, fantastic ways to let off some steam and get people together – but they are also so much more than that. 

These events are a sign of great leadership. The managers, leaders, CEOs that have come to me asking to work with us on delivering an event for their staff have one vital thing in common – they understand and are aware of their employees’ welfare. To me, this depicts innovative leadership as even though, on the surface, they are just organising a fun get-together, what they are really doing is showing their teams they are grateful, they care and that they are appreciated. 

This is a hugely powerful subliminal message to give, as allowing a platform for camaraderie, teamwork and togetherness where the ‘leader’ is not in their traditional leadership role and is at times vulnerable and on par to their team members shows someone who is confident in their role and who understands their team and its needs.  Humility and vulnerability are definitely powerful traits in leaders, especially at the moment.  

I say this a lot, but the power of events is huge and even though in-person events cannot happen at the moment, there is still so much you can do virtually. So, if you are a leader or a manager and have a team working for you, do have a think about events and how you can reward your team in this way.  

As event professionals, we ensure that your event is personal to your team and that the added touches make it hugely memorable. The corporate events we have already done, I am thrilled to say, have received some fantastic testimonials and many repeat bookings so if you are looking for a way to show your leadership and to thank your team, we’d love to hear from you. 

Person making a heart shape with their hands at a concert

An Ode To My Events Industry

by News

Our precious events industry has taken severe knocks in the past year and events as we knew and loved them are no more with many professionals waiting in the wings to start working in the industry they love again.

I can’t lie, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster the past year working in events with a lot of anger, frustration and sadness seeing friends, colleagues, venues and organisations suffer and fall. There is a deep feeling that this could have been avoided with better guidance and leadership, which make the emotions even more raw, but sadly we are where we are and we have to try and regain some semblance of our industry from the ashes.

What comforts me is the power and magic of events. There is no feeling like it – being with your group of people, sharing an experience in that exact moment and celebrating the emotions that go with that. I talk a lot about making memories and events do just that. When you think back to your happiest of times, I bet events feature highly. It’s that sense of occasion, celebration, togetherness and euphoria that is so powerful and so hugely memorable.

I have no doubt in my mind that the events industry will be back stronger than ever as soon as allowed, but there will always be a sadness about those that didn’t make it. I hope more than anything they reincarnate into something bigger and better. We are all seeing an almost chomping-at-the-bit desire to connect and be together from both private and corporate worlds and gone is the need for physical things and their once grave importance, replaced with the desire to be with those we cherish.

Even though the ever-present pandemic has been uncategorically rough on most of us, the glimmer of positivity for me has been people’s realisation of their need for others and their need to experience, laugh, sing, dance and just be together. We were in fear of the perceived need for things replacing what really matters – connection, and I cannot wait to organise amazing events for people to be together. It’s going to be emotional!

A mac computer on a desk at home surrounded by green plants

Virtual Events Don’t Have To Be One Dimensional

by Event Planning

The world of the virtual event doesn’t look to be going anywhere soon so as events professionals, we are fully embracing them and looking at how to make them the best they can be.

Even though when you get down to the nuts and bolts of it, a virtual event is often a person on their own staring at a computer, however it can be much more than that if in the right hands. Imagine if I said to you that going to a music festival is really only a person stood in a muddy field listening to some music that’s happening far away, and they can’t really see where it’s coming from – sounds a bit rubbish doesn’t it?!

What is missing is the magic and the emotions that those experiences conjure up and online events are just the same. Yes, it is tough to think it’s just you, yourself and I staring at a square box but how many of us have completely lost ourselves in a great film or TV series and sat and laughed, cried, cowered in horror because of what we’re seeing, hearing and, most importantly, feeling?

In the virtual technology world at the moment, there is a lot of development into sensory events and how the corporate world, in particular, can add another layer or dimension to their offer to engage their audiences. There is technology that can make the viewer feel that someone is really with them through sound and that they are transported to a virtual reality that is believable and impactful. Definitely powerful stuff.

For us at Lucy Claire Events, we are passionate about that personal touch and how we can marry up touch points to deliver a fantastic experience. So, for example, as well as a great virtual event, there would have been great insight and research beforehand into who the people are taking part in the event and asking is there anything we can send them beforehand to act as a physical prop or gift to enhance their experience?

Also, when on the event, how can we make it as interactive as possible. We hosted a number of Around The World events before Christmas which everybody loved as it got them out of their seats, trying to find things at home and having that interactive element rather than just sat there staring at a screen the whole time. It got people’s energy and concentration levels up as well as made them laugh, which made for really memorable events. By doing your research and really knowing the audience, you can make an event bespoke, personal and memorable.

Of course, the most up to date technology would be wonderful, but it comes at a hefty price, so it’s up to us to draw on our years of experience and expertise to bring the magic and add those personal touches which I am proud to say we do.

If you are looking to motivate your team, say thank you or connect – we’d love to hear from you.

Woodchester Valley wine bottles sat on a table next to some wine glasses

Introducing the wonderful Woodchester Valley Vineyard

by Venue Finding

In light of my recent announcement of providing wonderful Cotswold wine and cheese tasting experiences, I caught up with the fabulous Aaron from Woodchester Valley Vineyard, who are providing all the amazing wines, and asked him about his role, why white wine and cheese totally go together and how UK wine is the best in the world!

Aaron at Woodchester Valley Vineyard 

Please can you tell us a bit about Woodchester Valley Vineyard (WVV) and your role there? 

WVV was founded in 2007 by Fiona Shiner. She had long been fascinated by the valley’s popularity with Roman nobility (the site of the Roman Governor of Western England’s villa was just a couple of hundred metres from our Upper Atcombe farm vineyard). The family owned a 10-acre field on Culver Hill which was not really suited to crops, so she decided to plant an acre of vineyard as a trial. The inaugural 2010 vintage was a success and the first wine was a rather excellent Bacchus (still tasting good a decade later!). She then proceeded to plant the rest of the Culver Hill vineyard and set about searching for viable sites in the area. We now have 56 acres of vineyard, our own winery and full-time winemaker, Jeremy Mount.  

I run Trade Sales – and it may just be the best job in the world! I get to meet and taste wine with  so  many lovely, passionate people in the  drinks and restaurant trade. I joined at the start of 2019 when the wines from our first bumper vintage, 2018, were ready for release. Most of the wines made had been sold via the website, shop or tasting room, but the time was right to offer them out to the trade. By chance a master wine friend was consulting for WVV and told me how great the wines were. From  the moment I set foot in the vineyard I was in love. The ‘terroir’, if I can pinch a French term, is exceptional and quite unique in the UK. When I tasted the wines, I was absolutely sold. I thought on that first day, and continue to believe, that the wines we are making are absolutely world class – as was proved by our Sauvignon Blanc 2018 winning one of only 10 gold medals awarded worldwide in the Sauvignon Blanc Masters Competition out of several thousand wines from around the world.  

Could you tell us a bit about the wines that I will be supplying? 

Orpheus Bacchus 2018 - One of our most talked about wines to date (and our best Orpheus Bacchus yet!). Made from our very best parcels of Bacchus grapes, it is a unique expression of Bacchus from some of our oldest vines. The Orpheus is a wine of great finesse, a limited range only made in selected years. A combination of whole bunch and de-stemmed fruit was pressed in an inert environment preserving the aroma and flavour precursors to create a concentrated well balanced expression of the Bacchus variety. This wine displays complex and well-integrated flavours of elderflower and lychee with defined minerality and excellent persistent length and mouth-watering finish.   

Cheese Match – Goats Cheese 

With its vibrant acidity and freshness this is perfect for a complex local goats’ cheese, cutting through the richness of the cheese but matching the citrussy, tangy notes. 

Culver Hill 2018 - *IWC Silver medal winner 2019* Enticing  notes  of crisp and refreshing citrus and green fruits are beautifully balanced with subtle peach and hints of minerality. The barrel fermented Ortega gives great texture and balance.  A delicious, dry white with a clean and pleasing finish. 

Cheese match – a little secret of ours….. a beautiful cheese produced very locally to the vineyard

The slight creaminess from the barrel fermented portion works nicely with the nuttiness of the rind, while the fruity notes of the wine match those of the cheese and the acidity cuts through the creaminess and leaves the palate feeling clean and fresh 

Cotswold Classic 2017 Sparkling - Silver Medal, Wine GB – A blend of 75% Seyval Blanc and 25% Pinot Blanc with fresh citrus notes, aromas of red apple and subtle stone fruits, this wine has a great mid-palate structure and a balance that is nicely rounded with good effervescence. The lees ageing brings some aromas of pastry and brioche reminiscent of a delicious apple pie.   

Cheese match – Mature Cheddar 

A surprising match that really works! The appley notes match the tangy crunch of the cheddar and the vibrant sparkle cuts through its palate coating creaminess   

Rosé Brut 2017 Sparkling - Gold Medal Wine GB – A charmingly well balanced sparkling rosé with delicate bubbles. This wine maintains subtle raspberry and toasted aromas which follow through and linger on the palate. 

Cheese match – Creamy Blue 

Sounds totally wrong but works beautifully. The berry notes of the rosé are brought to the fore by the tangy, gaminess of the blue and match seamlessly, then, again, the freshness and acidity leaves the palate fresh and clean.  

There is a preconception that red wine and cheese go together but here you have paired white wines – please can you tell us why they work just as well, or even better? 

Have you ever tasted a wine with cheese and found that the cheese made the wine taste thin and the wine made the cheese taste fatty? The idea that red wines and cheeses are perfect partners is seldom borne out by experience. I much prefer to counterpoint the richness of a cheese by pairing with a fine, elegant white. Our still and sparkling whites and rosés have a gorgeous, perfectly balanced acidity which cuts through the intensity of the cheese and leaves the mouth feeling fresh and ready for the next mouthful. I have been tasting (and drinking) cheese with white and sparkling wines a lot recently and have found some incredible and memorable combinations – mature cheddar (the crunchier the better) is brilliant with our Cotswold Classic sparkling for example – the crisp apple notes in the wine match the cheese beautifully and the crunch and sparkle are amazing when combined – and as I have already mentioned, the wine leaves your palate feeling fresh, gently tingling and ready for the next mouthful.    

How do you feel the UK wine industry is at the moment? Is it growing? Is it still seen as a novelty having a vineyard in the UK? 

The UK vineyard scene is vibrant, exciting and constantly evolving. People who were saying 5 years ago that the UK should only make sparkling wines are now admitting that we can make world class still wines as well. Everyone in the industry is competitive in the best possible way. Spurring one another on to new heights, sharing new knowledge and techniques and really  working together. The public are fascinated by the surge in local vineyards and our tastings and tours are often sold out months in advance. For decades vineyard visits were something you could only do abroad – no longer! 

Also, restaurants are becoming more open to UK wines. Two years ago, I was often told ‘We already have an English wine on the list’.  

To which I would respond with “Good… and how many French wines do you have? Can we look at replacing one of those?”. 

However, I was delighted recently to be approached by a sommelier  saying, “We don’t have any Cotswolds wine on the list!” – they had a UK wine section on the list with  wines from Cornwall, Devon, Sussex etc. That really put a smile on my face.  

Do you have a favourite current wine? And if so, why? 

Our Orpheus Bacchus 2018 is my current favourite. I’ve always been a fan of Loire valley whites – especially Pouilly Fumé which it  resembles more than a little – but with added Cotswolds elegance. I’m also a little bit obsessed with high altitude Spanish Garnacha-based wines from the Sierra de Gredos region – amazing and hauntingly fragrant stuff. 

What has been your best wine moment?  

I’ve been fortunate enough to have tasted many great bottles, but that’s often simply an exercise in intellectual appreciation. It’s the context that  really makes the moment. And the best moment has  to be toasting my beautiful wife with an English Sparkling Wine at our wedding in 2003 – it was a Ridgeview Blanc de Noirs 1999 by the way.  

Who would be your ultimate wine drinking companion (dead or alive!)? 

Definitely someone alive. Honestly, I’m not hugely impressed by celebrity, but I would like to share a glass or two with Maynard James Keenan – frontman of the great math-rock band TOOL. He makes some superb wines in Arizona – at totally the opposite end of the climate spectrum to what we have here in the UK; he’s also  by all accounts a thoroughly decent guy and intensely passionate about music, wine and food – very much my kind of person.   

Lucy Hall of Lucy Claire Events leaning against a wall

The Evolution of LCE

by News

Any events planner remembers their first event like it was yesterday – the nerves, the over-planning and the incredible relief when it goes well! As I celebrate 4 years in business, it’s so good to reflect and celebrate how far we have come. 

It was April 2017 and we hosted our first LCE event – a conference to promote Bangladesh as an investment destination held at the stunning Langham, London for a leading European hedge fund manager client. 

Being one of the top five-star hotels in London, the Langham was an amazing venue and put on a great show with excellent levels of service and top-quality food throughout the day. For the 130 guests attending, it was a business-packed day filled with presentations from a variety of people including leading politicians and successful Bangladeshi business directors, alongside market strategists who offered their insight and expertise about the social and political context of the country, its economic potential, its growing local market and the thriving pharmaceutical sector, among other hot topics. 

After a packed day, the guests enjoyed a glass of bubbles while listening to a wonderful jazz trio before taking their seats for a gorgeous dinner.  

I am very pleased to say that the day and night went without a hitch and myself and the team worked so hard to make sure it was a seamless, high quality experience for all the guests. 

Looking back at this now, especially in the current climate, it seems a million years ago as with the restrictions in place, an event for 130 people seems like a very distant memory. But I do remember everything about it and the organisation that went into it and the valuable lessons that have been the ethos of the success of Lucy Claire Events. 

The number one takeout was the fact that preparation is king. As this was our first event, I definitely over-prepared but because we did absolutely everything went to plan, and I still over-prepare to this day! I would much rather spend more time organising, planning and triple checking everything to ensure a seamless event than not and I definitely sleep a lot better having checked and checked some more! 

Alongside this, the event really hit home to me the importance of partners and by that, I mean team, suppliers and venues. Successful events never happen because of one person, they are a huge team effort and by choosing the best people to work with as well as nurturing those relationships and getting to know those people and how both they and you work is everything.  

I have people in my little black book of contacts that I go back to time and time again as I know they share the same work ethic and attention to detail as me and I trust them to work at the same high level I do. Building this network, I feel, is imperative to a successful business and great events.  

In recent times, a big thing for us has been adaption and reacting to the ever-changing events landscape and trying to remain positive and look at what opportunities there are to deliver great events. Even though it is challenging at times, we draw on our years of experience and amazing connections to create memorable and magical events.  

The Bangladesh event really taught me the power of emotion in events and that how you make the attendees and participants feel is really important and this is always at the forefront of my mind when planning. 

When I look back over the past four years, I have seen the wealth of events, large and small, that we have successfully delivered and how we have grown as a company in both reputation, confidence and delivery but I always am hugely grateful for the lessons I learnt along the way.  

A group of people at an event

Nothing Better Than Happy Clients  

by NewsVenue Finding

I truly believe that you’re only as good as how happy your last client is so at Lucy Claire Events, we talk to our clients a lot to help us learn, improve and grow. We had a chat with the lovely Jennifer (formerly of Slalom), who we have been working with over the last couple of years about what it is like to work with Lucy Claire Events [LCE].  

In what capacity does LCE help with the events at Slalom? 

LCE assists us with the venue finding for our events. The planning team in the company figure out the type of event they would like to host, and then these requirements are given to LCE in a brief, to incorporate into their venue search. This process has had a massive impact on the planning for all our events as we are exposed to such a variety of locations and venues to choose from every time. The line of communication is always open, and any changes that need to be made are done so with ease. Lucy links you with the right people at the venue and checks in regularly throughout the process to make sure everything is going to plan. It is these little personal touches that sets LCE apart and why we continue to use them. 

 What were the deciding factors when choosing Lucy Claire Events for your venue finding? 

Lucy Claire Events is a trustworthy company that provides a high-quality service each time. The response time from receiving the criteria to having the options available is super quick and concise. Lucy is always available to answer any questions and lends a helping hand from beginning to end.  

How do you choose the location or venue for an event?  

The process of choosing a location or venue for our events starts with the event criteria for us at Slalom or that of our client. It must fit with the budget provided along with the values of the company, and whether they would prefer a larger more corporate space, or a more intimate setting. If the company is based in the city centre travel also plays a big role in choosing where the venue will be.  

How does LCE bring value to this process? 

Lucy is a brilliant creative collaborator in finding the right place and brings a great feeling of support. Our team can come along to view the venues and ask the right questions to ensure all requirements will be met for the event.  

What are the first steps you take in planning an event? 

Deciding on the theme of the event is very important. Once you know what you want the event to look like and feel, it helps when finding a space to host it 

What are your most common requirements for corporate events? 

Using a venue that allows for interaction is very important! Much of the time at corporate events, the purpose is to network and have our attendees become more familiar with each other. Using a venue that is comfortable yet provides some form of entertainment is vital. Lucy always provides us with a great variety of interactive venue ideas that that have subsequently delivered us some fabulous events. 

How do you create a fun, enjoyable atmosphere throughout the event? 

In my experience creating this environment starts with the intention. When planning, your intention is to have an event that will bring people closer together and provide an experience. Throughout the event itself this intention is very much at the core, therefore dealing with issues or last–minute changes with a level head is very important. 

What skills do you use most when planning and running an event? 

Clear thinking, motivation, organisation and creativity are the key skills required. 

What has been the best event you have planned at Slalom? 

During the summer of 2019 we planned a company retreat to The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. Consisting of 220 employees travelling from London via various forms of transport and arriving on different days, we needed a venue that had the capacity to host everyone and provide a variety of on-site activities to entertain guests. LCE’s assistance in sourcing this venue was immense, and it matched all of our requirements. We couldn’t have done it without her expertise and venue knowledge. We were able to offer a variety of activities to guests, including outdoor picnics, golf, archery, laser tag and spa treatments, which were hugely appreciated. The event had many elements, but with a great planning team everything ran very smoothly, and the weekend was a great success.  

What attributes does Lucy have and bring to her work that you and your company have found so easy to work with, and why do you continue to use her for your venue findings? 

Lucy can connect her clients to a range of venues depending on the unique requirements that are being asked, even with varying locations. This is a huge help in providing variety and different experiences to guests at every event. The venues are great quality and professional, which fits with the corporate atmosphere. The line of communication is always open with Lucy for any questions or concerns and creates the feeling of support. Planning an event always feels like a collaboration. It is due to this that I would recommend any company planning an event to work with Lucy Claire Events.  

‘I worked with Lucy on numerous corporate events over the last two years and her help has made each one of them a great success. The client’s requirements are always met and the variety available is fantastic. Lucy creates a stress free, supportive relationship which makes all the difference when handling large events. Thank you Lucy!‘ 

Event Marquee decorated with reds and oranges

Event Inspiration

by Event Planning

Getting inspiration for events comes from everywhere and through the years, I have been inspired by anything and everything. Clients often come to us for the added wow factor and we’re more than happy to oblige, especially in the current times. 

At the moment, we are sadly hearing a lot about events being cancelled, re-arranged or significantly reduced. So, the events that are going ahead are increasingly special and unique and I’m happy to say, a lot of clients are coming to me to add that sprinkle of fairy dust. 

The best events are the ones that really have the essence of the client running through them and this can be brand values for corporate clients and personality for private events. But, at times, inspiration can be hard to find but if you look hard enough, it is everywhere. 

Many a time, the venue can be a huge source of inspiration. If you follow me on social media, you will see I have been visiting a number of new venues recently and there is a lot of commonality in terms of sustainability and a rustic look and feel. There seems to be a demand for more nature-inspired venues at the moment and earthy feelings of authenticity which allows for some truly beautiful spaces and opportunities.  

If this is the sort of venue you would like to host your event in, this rustic and earthy tone can run through the event in terms of colours, food, invitations, activities and ensure everything feels complimentary and well thought out.  

Once I know this is your preferred theme, I can then dig into my little black book and make sure I work with suppliers who can deliver on this too so that everything is aligned.  

When working with corporate clients, I always ask what their goals and objectives are for the event as they really ignite ideas for inspiration. So, for example if the objective is to inspire the team on an away day and generate great conversation and ideas, I will look for a venue that is in line with their brand values but offers great and inspiring spaces to sit, talk and collaborate.  

Little touches also can make such a difference. So for example, bringing a food truck in rather than the standard offering, creating an immersive experience in line with the theme for attendees can create a fantastic talking point, and adding elements such as themed music, colours and dress can do wonders for the mood (and create some amazing photos!). 

As always, the internet and a good old Pinterest board is a fabulous place for inspiration. I have created boards with my clients for them to add their ideas on and for us to brain dump and it’s always so interesting to see what they come up with when the creative juices are flowing.  

Adding those magic touches doesn’t have to be expensive, and they are often not, it is about understanding who will be there, why they are there and what the client wants to get out of the experience.  

Large garden with seating and fairy lights

The Rise of Sustainable Events

by Event Planning

Sustainable events are, rightly, in demand these days and it’s fantastic to see so many venues and suppliers upping their sustainability game.  

The phrase ‘sustainable events’ has been on my radar for a long time now and I endeavor, wherever possible, to be as sustainable as possible in all my events.  

Being sustainable means to be kind to the environment, be mindful on excessive waste and try and be as clean as we can in all aspects of putting on events. It’s an education piece for the event industry as a whole to ensure we work together to offer the most sustainable events possible and learn from each other how best to do that. 

Here at Lucy Claire Events, we are hugely proud to say that we seek out partners that are as sustainable as possible and understand our clients’ requirements for this so we deliver the best events, but in the most environmentally friendly way.  

Often clients will want to be as sustainable as possible but are unsure how to deliver this, so we do that work for them and educate and instill the best practices.   

I’m pleased to say that there have been so many positive shifts from many of the venues I work with to ensure that they are being as sustainable as possible – from small things such as not using plastic straws and always recycling, to a complete overhaul of their venue’s offer. 

A recent visit to the beautiful eco-friendly venue Woodhaven in Surrey really encapsulated this. The venue is a British and European made building with materials and furnishings that have been constructed to suit allergy sufferers, complete with a heat recovery and ventilation system. Pretty impressive stuff. Alongside this, they are really switched on with all the mod cons, technologies and space options to be a hugely credible offering for corporate events.   

Another venue I utterly love is Sheepdrove – an organic farm and eco conference centre on the beautiful Berkshire Downs.  

The owners always dreamt of self-sufficiency and their original aim was to protect themselves from the polluting chemicals used by the farmers all around them and recreate the original Downland landscape. They state that the conversion to organic farming has been a hugely positive experience.  

They also say they have witnessed the nature around them coming back to life with the return of myriad birds, wildflowers, small mammals and insect life and it is so humbling to see how they have transformed this once arid prairie.  

I get such a thrill from working with these types of venues and I am so heartened to see most, if not all, new venues taking their eco footprint very seriously as people expect nothing less.  

The industry is definitely changing and during this enforced lockdown a lot of fantastic venues and suppliers have used this time to address their sustainability offer and ensure they are doing all they can. It’s by working together that we will support each other to be the best we can be.  

Lucy Walking her dog on the moors

Why Balance Equals Success

by News

Last year was a wake-up call for me – as I approached burnout, I knew something had to change and fast and change it has. Now I put my health and well-being top and business has grown because of it.  

Working in the events industry is a brilliant career and I wouldn’t change it for the world, but there is no doubt about it, it’s bloody stressful. In fact, being an event manager was recently named as the 5th most stressful job there is: the hours, the preparation, the last-minute changes, the client vision verses deliverable reality all have to be managed, thought about and executed to a very high standard. Now, don’t get me wrong, I thrive off the energy of a live event and work well under pressure but what I learnt last year is that doing that continuously over a long period of time is definitely not good for me, or anyone for that matter. 

The word burnout was a little alien to me. I associated it with high flying suits who were jetting all around the world fueled by caffeine and late-night meetings, not someone like me who ran my own wonderful business and was happy most of the time doing so. 

But with a few personal issues thrown in, the pressure of my day-to-day got too much and the dreaded burnout was approaching. Luckily, I managed to slam on the breaks before it got too bad, but it was a scary place to be.  

After getting some rest, giving myself some time off and – vitally – some thinking time, I am back better than ever but with a big old learning under my belt: to look after myself and treat myself as one of my clients with the care and respect I deserve.  

I know so many business owners who put themselves and their self-care at the bottom of the list, yet their clients are flying. This, I now know, helps no one as if you’re not in a good place, you are not delivering good work, end of.  

My work/life balance is in a lot healthier state these days, with the word balance being critical here. I have also introduced retreats and health and wellbeing events into my offer and I am hugely enjoying organising and delivering them.   

One of the ways I switch off is going grouse counting with my dogs – I love it! Yes, that’s right – counting grouse! I get to spend days walking the grouse moors of northern England and Scotland working my English setter, with a few like-minded friends, counting grouse. I’ll be going up next week to Lancashire for the summer brood counts and can’t wait. When I’m up on the moor with the stunning views and my dogs I am in my element; it’s all I have – and can – think about and it’s perfect. Finding something to do that makes me focus on just one thing and switch my brain off for a bit is hugely helpful for me. 

With the stresses of the current times in the events world it is imperative that us event managers look after out mental health. Emotions and stresses have been high due to the uncertainties and this is why support and community is so important in this industry. In terms of my offering, health and wellbeing is a big factor here too. I recently organised a retreat in Tuscany for a corporate client and I am busy planning a number of health and wellbeing events for both private and corporate clients. With the new measures in place, these events are more personal than ever, and I am really enjoying adding that bespoke touch.  

Oversized lightbulb garden hanging lights

We’re Better Together

by News

In the events industry, connections, collaborations and our little black book of contacts is everything – and now, more than ever. 

With the latest news of some of the hospitality sector re-opening on 6th July, all be it with restrictions in place, the event industry can start slowly emerging again and special occasions can be planned which is, of course, music to my ears.   

However, I am definitely feeling, like so many other event professionals, a sense of caution, nervousness and trepidation of not wanting to go all-out straight away but instead re-join slowly and surely. During my career, I have always valued connections over and above anything else as having friends, confidents and allies in my sector has undoubtedly grown my business, my confidence and my abilities. Throughout lockdown, I have cherished these friendships and professional relationships more than ever. 

As we are now experiencing the pandemic aftermath (hopefully) and life may get back to some semblance of normality, the importance of connections is definitely not lost on me. The groups that I am part of that kick-start my week, that help me with dilemmas, enrich me with knowledge and broaden my horizons are a permanent fixture in my diary, lockdown or no lockdown, and my cherished little black book of freelance event managers has never been more precious.  

Throughout my career, I have been lucky to meet some phenomenal event professionals and I have a list of go-to people that I know are 100% reliable and brilliant. The Norwegian event I was charged with would not have been the success it was without bringing in a fantastic team that over-and-above delivered on brief. And knowing fellow event organisers that I can collaborate with, who share my values and work ethic is priceless (yes, Hannah Hall from Sunflower Corporation – I’m looking at you!). 

So, for me – contacts and relationships are everything and for us business owners, taking the time to create and nurture these can pay off in dividends when you really need it. Events are fundamentally about people – making people feel a certain way through experience and magic and the more of us working together to deliver that can be no bad thing.   

If you’re a business owner, I urge you to dedicate some allotted time per week to growing your network. We all think we don’t have time to go for that coffee or have that Zoom chat, but for things of value, like relationships, we need to make time. It’s a cliché but we really are better together and all of us can learn, grow and offer value.  

For me, I am always looking to learn, grow and improve and I am constantly impressed, wowed and inspired by the people in my network, and that’s not necessarily just events people, but connections from all walks of life and experience. From a time when I used to dread ‘networking’ and the awkwardness that came with it, I now cherish it.