GET AHEAD

The UK events industry is a highly competitive and constantly evolving market. In order to stand out and be memorable, event professionals need to be innovative, creative, and always willing to go the extra mile. With over 20 years in the industry here are some tips that I have picked up:

One of the best ways to be memorable is to create unique experiences for your clients and attendees. This can be achieved by thinking outside the box and incorporating unexpected elements into your events. For example, you could use interactive technology, incorporate live performances, or design a themed event that immerses attendees in a specific environment. Think about what the client is trying to achieve and also what does the company that you are producing the event for stand for. Creating an event that means something to the company can really make a difference as we see time and time again the cookie cutter approach to events coming out.

Details matter in the events industry. Paying close attention to the small details can make a big difference in how your event is perceived. This includes everything from the design of the space to the catering options and the quality of the audiovisual equipment. Make sure everything is well-planned and executed to create a cohesive and polished event. The job of an event professional is often to be ahead of the event, foresee problems and rectify them before anyone realises, but yet remain faceless and in the shadows of an event. Your client may thank you, but everyone of those guests and company members are going to thank your client for all of your hard work.

Providing excellent customer service is essential in the events industry. This means being responsive to clients' needs and requests, communicating effectively, and ensuring that every aspect of the event is tailored to their specific requirements. Building strong relationships with clients can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Events can be unpredictable, so it's important to be adaptable and able to handle any unexpected situations that may arise. This includes having contingency plans in place for issues such as bad weather, technical difficulties, or last-minute changes to the event schedule. Being adaptable all comes down to good planning, if you have thought about every eventuality and planned for this, when it does happen it will be slick and smooth and no one will notice.

Staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and innovations can help you stay ahead of the competition and provide cutting-edge events for your clients. Attend industry conferences and events, read industry publications, and network with other event professionals to stay informed about the latest developments in the industry. It is also important to be memorable at networking events. We all meet hundreds of people every year all looking for business and new connections, yet how many of these people can we actually remember and how many do we go on to do business with? My top tip here is just ensure that like Simon Cowell says, be memorable no matter what!

As far as industries go, the UK Events Industry is a great place to work and it would have to be as otherwise why would we put all those extra hours in for no additional pay and not even a thanks most of the time.