My TOP 3 Event Moments

Today I finish up what has been a fantastic seven year experience with the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS). Being the Sales & Events Manager for the King's Hall Complex and then the Eikon Exhibition Centre has been challenging but ultimately, hugely rewarding.

It has also enabled me to be a part of some of Northern Ireland's largest and most memorable events. I have witnessed some amazing moments which has made me proud to be a part of them. With everyone putting so much time and effort into each event, these moments can be rare, but they always stick in your mind.

So...after much deliberation and thought, here are my top 3...

3: INVASION - 'Grand Finale' (19th February 2017)

Yes I'm a geek! Growing up a huge Star Wars fan I was indebted to the RUAS when they allowed me to run my own Star Wars fan event in conjunction with the Emerald Garrison. The Grand Finale took a lot of thought and was a tribute to the late Carrie Fisher and Kenny Baker. It was witnessed by more than 6,000 attendees and was so good that Mark Hamill himself retweeted this video! Proud moment indeed...

2: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - 'Girl Singing waiting on a Sunny Day' (20th July 2013)

Can you get much better than 'The Boss' in concert? He played a three and a half hour set in front of 33,000 attendees at the King's Hall in 2013. A very special and poignant moment was when he plucked a little girl from the crowd to sing 'Waiting on a Sunny Day'. Bursting with pride at this one. A must watch...

1: BALMORAL SHOW - 'Staff Ice Cream' (17th May 2013)

How do you beat 'The Boss'. Well with Balmoral Show obviously. Let me set the scene, it's 2013, you are moving 10 miles from your established and successful venue to your new home. Believe it or not there was actually substantial reluctance from forces outside the team to the move. Then over 90,000 people (a 20% increase) attended from the 15th to 17th May. On the final day we got 5 minutes to have an ice cream and take in what we had achieved. Suffice to say the team (some who have been at the RUAS for over 30 years) got a little emotional. A very special moment indeed...

Some honorable mentions and just missing out on the top 3 are: MCM Comic Cons (2014 & 2017), N.I. Motorcycle Festival (2016), Dubshed (2018), World Police & Fire Games (2013)