CONTRIBUTORS: This month’s

DIANA WALTON

Diana is the show manager of the Hanbury Countryside Show Society and membership secretary of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations. Diana grew up with shows, so you could say they’re in her blood. Following a successful career as a rural chartered surveyor, she joined the livestock department of the Three Counties Agricultural Society, Worcestershire, in 2009. She was promoted to head of shows in 2016 and managed events like the society’s prestigious Royal Three Counties Show, and its key horticultural events, the RHS Malvern Spring Festival and the RHS Malvern Autumn Show. In 2022, she was appointed show manager of Hanbury Countryside Show, and in this issue talks about plans for the 2023 event.

NICK MATTINGLEY

Nick is a seasoned events professional with vast experience in a variety of roles. Recently, he has worked as project director on the opening ceremony of the World Defense Show, but his career includes prestigious roles, such as CEO of Henley Festival, shows director at Royal Horticultural Society, and project director at IMG. In September 2022, Nick joined Charlton Park Estate as a consultant to look at special projects and events. He is working with the estate to attract organisers to Charlton Park and is looking at opportunities to launch homegrown shows. On page 32, Nick discusses his new role and where he believes the opportunities lie for the wider events industry to get involved.

LAURA ARMSTRONG

Laura Armstrong is a senior project manager at LS Events and is leading the industry towards a more equitable future through her mentoring work with the Network of Women in Events (NOWIE). She is also embracing diversity and inclusion as key themes within her event planning strategy in 2023. A vocal advocate for women supporting women, Armstrong champions representation at all levels believing that encouraging others to be the best version of themselves is the way forward when it comes to enabling equity. In this latest edition and to mark International Women’s Day on March 8, Laura discusses her inspirations and passions and why it’s essential to champion female events professionals.

SUPPLIERS OF FLOOR & WALL COVERINGS, ARTIFICIAL GRASS AND DECORATIVE DISPLAY MATERIALS

Marquee, Event, Stage, Film & Theatre, Exhibition, Party, Commercial Venues. Full installation & fitting service, plus recycling post event

Malcolm Leach has joined isla as chief technical officer to develop TRACE, the measurement platform designed to help businesses measure and minimise carbon emissions at events.

John O’Donoghue has been appointed managing director of Actavo Events Solutions.

NEC Group Ticketing and Arenas has revealed a new senior commercial team, including Ben Sharman, head of venue programming, Gareth Coleman, ticketing general manager, Noel Edwards, ticketing director, Andy Price, commercial director, and Nicky Burgess, head of sales (premium and groups).

Ignition , the Bristol-based exhibition, events and experience designer, has appointed Sam Morris as head of operations.

Janthea Brigden, Nipperbout Inclusivity and diversity are about so many different aspects in the event world, and we can all, myself included, think more about accessibility and what we can put in place to help everyone feel welcomed and safe.

There are some positive steps being taken by organisers already I’m pleased to relate!

This week, I received three different enquiries for childcare services for events, which have never offered childcare before!

These are from organisers who are truly thinking of how to enfranchise their delegates, by putting a provision in place ahead of the teachers’ strikes in March.

Childcare can really make a difference to parents (not just mums!) allowing delegates peace of mind and the opportunity to enjoy the event.

#Event #Inclusion #Diversity #Childcare #Eventprofsuk

A giant welly is touring venues across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire to promote RHS Malvern Spring Festival, a four-day gardening show held at the Three Counties Showground (May 11-14). Here, Charlie Gwynn, events executive, Kate Dufton, RHS show lead, and Jane Edwards, head of shows, are pictured with the giant welly at John Lewis Cheltenham. The 10-foothigh promotional wellington boot moves location every two weeks and will visit Gloucester Quays and Gloucester Cathedral, where visitors are encouraged to take a selfie and post to social media.