Five things I’ve learned about the events industry
Neil Thompson
![Neil Thompson]()
Neil Thompson
Named as one of Northstar Meetings Group's most influential event profs in 2024. Community Builder - Founder/MD of The Delegate Wranglers - the event industry's go-to daily check-in. Presenter, speaker & mia board member
- It has a perceived glamour about travel. “Yep, I’m off to Paris tomorrow for three nights” – can conjure up images of strolling through art galleries, leisurely climbing the Eiffel Tower and watching the world go by from the banks of the Seine. Little do they know it means your alarm going off at 3.30am to catch the early EasyJet flight to CDG, then you having to spend 65 of the next 72 hours awake, doing things like looking for a print shop at 2am, and that old favourite: bag stuffing at 10.30pm in your business suit, whilst simultaneously eating your club sandwich and talking on your mobile to your transfer company about a couple of ‘small’ changes for tomorrow morning!
- Spreadsheets. There’s something REALLY satisfying about finally completing your ‘master list’ of meeting attendees – i.e. all travel details, accommodation requirements, dietary choices, etc inserted. It completes me....or maybe that’s just me!
- You can rack up the air miles…can’t you? Yes, you definitely rack them up but at such a pace that after 5 years of solid European economy traveling, you might just have enough for a one way trip to Edinburgh….as long as you pay the tax yourself, of course.
- You meet all kinds of people. I really like this part of the job – no matter where you go, there are tons of interesting people out there all with information to broaden your horizons. Something I do, wherever I go, is to talk to taxi drivers – they never let me down with brilliant tales about themselves....all told in 15 minutes!
- Traveling is great but there ain’t no place quite like home! Sure, you can be working somewhere really cool like the far-east or Vegas or wherever but after the initial buzz, you just can’t beat that moment when the key goes in the door and you’re home again. Bliss.
And breakfast cereal never tastes the same anywhere else does it?
Follow me on twitter: @RedWhiteBlueLtd
If I made you smile its already a good day Co-Founder KISS (UK) Ltd
10 年Spot on Neil - I decided ages ago that all business travel let me do was work out where I might want to go with my other half for holidays :) All power to ya mate ...
Raising the profile of unpaid carers
10 年Interesting read and was nodding my head a lot, people have no idea how much work goes on in the background, how methodical we have to be, project managing a million things and producing an amazing event and making everyone happy whilst your feet are killing and you are dying for a cuppa
Senior Project Manager at Touch Independent Medical Education Ltd
10 年I LOVE this Neil Thompson (Freelance Conference Manager)!! After 12 years in the industry I have decided to hang up my travellers hat and resigned yesterday!! I have loved the roller coaster ride but yes I can't bear cereal and milk in other countries!!
Admissions Manager at REPTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL
10 年So, so true Neil. Not the glamorous job that everyone thinks it is and nothing beats getting home and having a simple baked beans on toast meal!