StandOut March 2026

March 2026

The race is on

A marathon mission for mass participation events

KILIMANJARO LIVE

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

ADVERSE WEATHER

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CONTENTS

12 THE RACE IS ON

23 COME RAIN OR SHINE

36 WONDER WOMAN

30 THE ONLY WAY WAS UP

40 MAKING MAJOR EVENTS HAPPEN

10 TIME TO PITCH

34 WHO CAN YOU SPOT?

12 THE RACE IS ON

36 WONDER WOMAN

23 COME RAIN OR SHINE

40 MAKING MAJOR EVENTS HAPPEN

Looking for new business opportunities? Check out news of contract wins and event tenders As demand for mass participation events continues to grow, organisers discuss operational developments, market trends, and why the “basics” must be done well…

Heatwaves, storms, and torrential downpours are becoming the norm so how should event organisers adapt for not-so-extreme and adverse weather?

30 THE ONLY WAY WAS UP

From “crap” receptionist to CEO. Kilimanjaro Live’s Zac Fox on imposter syndrome, her new role, and why she is putting people before profit

Team StandOut went to Bristol for the AIF Festival Congress. Who do you recognise in our picture gallery?

It’s International Women’s Day on March 8. Read on as Aimée-Louise Baker talks about the realities of juggling work with being a mum, a PhD student, and… a wedding planner What’s the secret to great temporary overlay? Experienced event professionals reveal all

51 ARE YOU PREPARED TO SAY STOP?

StandOut’s Caroline Clift recently took part in Showstop Procedure training. Discover what she learned with course tutors Steve Allen and Mark Hamilton

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9th - 11th November 2026

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EDITOR’S LETTER

MARCH 2026 more than 20 years, I have been visiting event sites across the world. As you can F orimagine, during those 20 years, I have experienced my fair share of extreme weather.

From scorching hot temperatures at the Ryder Cup in Rome, when crew had to wear two pairs of gloves to pick up scaffolding, to the America’s Cup in Portsmouth, when high winds forced the cancellation of the final day’s racing in 2015.

Both of my experiences are great examples of the different challenges that organisers can face and it demonstrates that – regardless of the time of year – it can be unseasonably hot, blowing a gale, or peeing it down. But you’ve still got to be prepared.

This month, we’re taking a look at adverse weather planning and have spoken to a host of event professionals that have had to action plan B or even plan C when faced with everything from lightning strikes to torrential downpours. It’s clear that “normal” weather patterns are now more extreme so if it’s wet, it will only get wetter and if it’s hot, it’s only going to get hotter. So what are you going to do about it? Turn to page 23 and check out our feature that’s packed with insight, and honesty. It’s a really interesting read so pop the kettle on and settle in.

But that’s not all. This issue also has great chats with Goldline Events, A.S.O. UK, The Great Run Company, and a host of other organisers about the mass participation events market and we catch up with Zac Fox, who was recently promoted to CEO of Kilimanjaro Live. She gives us the lowdown on her plans for the business. Will she steer the ship in a different direction? If you really want to know, find out by turning to page 30. It’s another honest look at the realities of event life so if you value some real opinion, you best make a pot of tea. One brew and a biccie just isn’t going to cut it this month. Get stuck in and as always, happy reading...

Caroline

Cover image: © A.S.O UK/LDNX

@standout.magazine

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CONTRIBUTORS

This month’s

CONTRIBUTORS:

AIMÉE-LOUISE BAKER

With a proven track record in event management, Aimée-Louise has more than 16 years of experience in delivering high-profile events, both nationally and internationally. From large-scale sports events to prestigious cultural festivals, she has successfully managed, directed, and overseen the execution of a diverse range of projects. She has a passion for crowd science, has almost completed her PhD in Crowd Operations, and is set to go freelance.

Oh, and she’s a mum to two children under the age of five. Turn to page 36 and discover Aimee’s thoughts on studying and bossing it as a mum, including her early years struggles with learning and why she has opted to return to event freelancing.

ZAC FOX

It’s been 30 years this year since Zac walked into MCP Promotions to be a maternity cover receptionist, and discovered an industry that she could really thrive in. Now, Zac is CEO of Kilimanjaro Love and has played an instrumental role in the growth of the promoter and the wider KMJ Entertainment group. In this issue, Zac opens up about her career and discusses her plans for Kili, including why she plans to put people at the heart of the business.

JUDITH MANSON

Judith is managing director of Goldline Events, organiser of the Reading Half Marathon and Robin Hood Half Marathon in Nottingham. Every year, Goldline’s events bring together tens of thousands of runners, communities, and businesses – big and small – and it’s Judith’s job to make sure they all have a positive experience. She is an experienced events professional with a passion for sport and for more than ten years has been at the helm of Goldline. In this March edition, Judith talks about a series of operational changes at both Reading Half Marathon and Robin Hood Half Marathon and reveals the challenges facing mass participation organisers in 2026.

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INDUSTRY UPDATES APPOINTMENTS OF THE MONTH

PIC OF THE MONTH

Sebastian Pomfrey is procurement coordinator at Boomtown Festival.

Trivandi has appointed Abbie Collins as EDP – lead venue planning manager at Glasgow 2026.

Legends Global has promoted Sam Ryder to director of concert hall development. He will take on this new post and continue his role as general manager at Connexin Live Hull.

Ellie Woodward is now head of operations, EMEA at Hyve Group for Shoptalk.

Becki Lomax is associate director – global events at Wasserman Live.

Image: © Getty Images/Phillip Faraone

Johnnie Walker, the Scotch Whisky brand, celebrated its long-standing partnership with Sabrina Carpenter by creating a range of high-impact activations across Los Angeles, on the weekend of the GRAMMY Awards. Carpenter, who was nominated for six GRAMMY Awards, created a signature cocktail – the Go Go Highball – which was immortalised in a live show that combined projection and drones, lighting up the LA skyline.

LINKEDIN POST OF THE MONTH

Avantgarde Group has appointed Richie Gage as head of live.

More than 20 suppliers have backed AIF’s Fallow Festival Fund for 2026, pledging support for independent festivals that are navigating a hiatus and planning a return in 2027.

Melissa Way Event healthcare strategic advisor

Following a management buyout, Dave Harding-Lyle is now group managing director of Showcase AVi. Alfie Jourdan is event manager at Silverstone.

2Heads has appointed Daniel Manning as project director.

John Muddeman has joined UK Events as director of events.

Calum McConnachie is now commercial director at Crewsaders.

Jess Plant is event operations manager at RX Global.

Luce Watson is senior production consultant, events and experiences EMEA at Expedia Group.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Over the last few weeks, I have been spending time with event medical professionals and having some great conversations about the new Event Healthcare Standard and guidelines in development and what it means in practice for 2026.

What is becoming clear is there is a lot to unpack including: What we do and do not yet know about timings ahead of 2026. How first aid-only cover at events is being interpreted now, and where the line may sit in future.

The increasing pressure on local ambulance trusts, and how this is affecting engagement with SAG processes for larger events. How CQC registration and ongoing compliance are being interpreted in practice.

For those already thinking about how this plays out on the ground, Robert Shelswell and I are holding two informal webinar sessions in March 2026 (one for event medical providers and one with event organisers) where people are talking it through. If it’s relevant to you, you’ll probably want to be in the room.

YOUROPE and YES Group have developed the Weather Preparedness and Resilience Toolbox.

Clean Slate: Rethinking Events is a new documentary examining the environmental impact of the global events industry.

Global Crowd Management Alliance has launched The Service Playbook, a publicly accessible content series designed to support more consistent delivery of services within event and crowd management operations, across borders.

The Purple Guide has had a redesign and is sporting a new look, designed to make the guidance easier to navigate.

MUTA has updated its Best Practice Guide, providing essential advice for organisers and temporary structure providers.

A survey by ClinkClink reveals that 86 per cent of in-house event managers have suffered insomnia or burnout because of their work.

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EVENT TENDERS

BURNING MAN

Image: Jeremy Bishop

Time to pitch

Looking for new business? Discover the latest event tenders and news of contract wins DRPG has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s Media and Creative Services framework, meaning public bodies can now commission DRPG directly to deliver major events.

streamline how organisers issue and manage credentials, control access for teams and suppliers, and coordinate large-scale staffing in the challenging Nevada desert.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has appointed G C D Enterprises to provide site and production delivery for Bath Christmas Market until 2030. This contract is worth more than £3,060,000.

Bedford Borough Council has appointed Wings Events to supply and install marquees and furniture for the Bedford River Festival.

Cheltenham Borough Council has appointed Delta Force Group to provide security services to its outdoor ice rink and Christmas event.

Gigantic Tickets has signed a primary ticketing deal with Crosstown Concerts. The multi-year partnership will see Gigantic deliver ticketing and CRM marketing support.

The Festivals Group has been awarded a contract with Sunderland City Council to deliver the finale event of Stages: In The Carpark – a large-scale, live electronic music experience.

The University of Aberdeen requires a main contractor to support the delivery of its summer graduation ceremonies. In addition to the summer ceremonies, the university may also require services for its winter graduation ceremonies. The deadline is 12pm on March 16. Interested? Email e-sourcing@abdn.ac.uk

Eventree has been appointed by Burning Man to provide vital accreditation support to one of the world’s most iconic and complex temporary events. The Edinburgh-based business will

The Royal Parks is seeking to appoint an event service provider to help deliver The Royal Parks Half Marathon. The engagement deadline is March 2. Email Procurement@RoyalParks.org.uk

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MASS PARTICIPATION

The race is on

As demand for mass participation events continues to grow, organisers discuss operational developments, market trends, and why the “basics” must be done well…

GOLDLINE EVENTS’ ROBIN HOOD HALF MARATHON

Images: © Alex Dodd/No Limits Photography/Motiv Sports UK/Paul Greenwood/Sara Merriman

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MASS PARTICIPATION

ADIDAS MANCHESTER MARATHON

figures from Strava, the running, R ecent cycling, and hiking app, show a

fundamental shift in how younger generations are choosing to connect. According to the stats, they are choosing to log off and lace up, moving away from passive doom scrolling to active, real-world experiences that include putting movement first.

This insight is echoed by further studies, which point to 12 months of growth for running events as people look to be more social and improve their health. In fact, more than 85 per cent of respondents surveyed by Massive plan to maintain or increase the number of events they take part in this year. Likewise, Eventrac says that female participation is accelerating faster than male participation across all age groups and Find a Race states that half marathons and 10k races still remain the most popular running distances.

NEW MASS PARTICIPATION EVENTS

These numbers are an incredibly positive read as event organisers prepare to put months of planning into action in just a few weeks’ time and deliver a year packed full of exciting mass participation events.

Certainly, the public’s interest in half marathon and 10k races is evidenced by the launch of Merton Council’s half marathon – in partnership with The Great Run Company – and Saucony Run Shoreditch

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Half, a collaboration between running brand Saucony and Motiv Sports UK. The inaugural Saucony Run Shoreditch was hosted last year as a 10k event, with runners setting off from Shoreditch Park before winding their way through Hackney and Islington.

The goal – explains Ian Allerton, managing director of Motiv Sports UK – was always to turn the 10k event into a half marathon, but he knew that the sensible move was to launch the 10k event with 9,000 runners and build it out in year one. Allerton explains: “We’ve been working on our plans to extend the 10k to a half marathon, including what it means for the council, the impact on the local area, and the benefits of hosting a half marathon over a 10k race.

“These events are complicated, particularly when you’re closing London roads, so we’ve had lots of consultations and discussions and we’re super pleased to get the event off the ground.”

BRANDS WANT TO CONNECT

The Saucony Run Shoreditch Half will be an exciting addition to the capital’s race calendar and was launched just days before Merton Council revealed details of a new partnership with The Great Run Company. Together, they aim to deliver a new closed-road half marathon in spring 2027, which will take in Morden, Wimbledon, and Mitcham, according

to plans set to be approved by the council’s cabinet later this month.

Saucony’s collaboration with Motiv Sports UK is the perfect example of how brands are moving into the events space. For example, Nike’s After Dark Series and SportsShoes’ Quid Games and Podium Series demonstrate that brands want to have their own race IP and Represent 247’s first official 5km and 10km races in Heaton Park – delivered by RunThrough – prove that brands want more than sponsorship.

DELIVERING A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE

Eventrac’s study suggests that event owners should focus on building relationships with stakeholders so they keep coming back.

But to do that, organisers must also deliver exceptional experiences so participants have a positive time.

Massive’s Mass Participation Pulse Report says that participants value practical elements such as toilets, clear signage, and ease of getting to and from event sites. Yes, atmosphere and memorable moments are important, but for most customers they just want the basics done well.

For example. The Great Run Company has revealed a number of “positive changes” to the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run, which are the result of direct feedback from runners.

From an updated timetable designed to help half marathon participants run in cooler

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MASS PARTICIPATION conditions, to more space at the start and finish, plus extra hydration and new on-course cooling, these improvements are all about helping everyone have their best possible event experience.

So what’s changing? This year, the half marathon will set off first, with the 10k starting afterwards. The goal is simple: to help half marathon runners complete their race earlier in the day and avoid running in warmer conditions. The Great Run Company is also increasing on-course hydration across both distances to include four water stations on the half marathon course and two on the 10k route. Cooling showers will also be installed to keep runners hydrated and comfortable, especially if conditions are warm on the day.

Plus, the organising team is increasing the separation between the start and finish areas.

This will create more room for runners and spectators and help reduce pinch points, improving the race experience for everyone.

FESTIVAL VIBE

SAUCONY RUN SHOREDITCH

HACKNEY MOVES

Similarly, Goldline Events, organiser of the Green Park Reading Half and Mini Marathon and Robin Hood Half and Mini Marathon, Nottingham, is making changes. For instance, in Nottingham, the 2026 half marathon is expanding the footprint of its race village to make the space more comfortable for participants and spectators.

Judith Manson, managing director of Goldline Events, explains that the race village is located on a greenfield site so after the race, people tend to hang around for a long time. If the weather is nice, no one is in a rush to go so the village has quite the festival feel.

But the race village is not just popular with runners. Spectators love the space too so some tweaks are needed to make everyone feel comfortable. “In Reading, it’s a completely different kettle of fish,” Manson continues. “The race village is in a car park outside the stadium. It’s not glamorous, it’s not a greenfield site. You don’t get that kind of festival vibe. But what we do have at Reading is seating inside the stadium where people can watch friends and family cross the finish line. The atmosphere in that stadium is absolutely electric from the beginning to the end. So, you know, they are two very, very, very different events which makes it interesting because it shows you can’t do the same thing all the time.”

PUSHING THE BUTTON

Manson is looking to increase capacity at Robin Hood Half Marathon adding another 1,000 participants to the race and in Reading, she hopes to make the event a “destination marathon”. Therefore, she is “pushing the button” on a larger entertainment budget to add to the party atmosphere. “That’s what you’ve always got to do with events,” says Manson. “Make sure that at the heart of everything you do, it’s about the experience that people have so that they come back.”

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MASS PARTICIPATION

OXFORD HALF MARATHON Chevron Traffic Management, Augusta Event Support, 2CL, Time Marquees, Provide SESS, CapTrac, and A1 Group. She values loyalty and enjoys working with the same people who understand Goldline’s portfolio of events and their nuances. But that doesn’t mean she is not looking for good deals and value when it comes to budgets.

All organisers are under pressure to deliver more with less. Cost is one of the reasons cited by London Marathon Events for its decision to indefinitely “pause” RideLondon.

It wishes to carry out a full strategic review following comprehensive financial and operational considerations regarding the event’s future direction.

But while RideLondon will not continue in its current format, it is hoped that future efforts and events will promote cycling and active travel across London and beyond.

Andrew Smith, CEO of A.S.O UK, thinks that cycling needs something to give it a lift so it has the same energy and momentum experienced in 2012. He hopes that as excitement builds for the Tour de France 2027 – when it visits the UK – more people will be encouraged to enter cycling events.

SMALL CHANGES = BIG DIFFERENCE

Smith is currently working with the wider A.S.O UK team on its plans for the adidas Manchester Marathon, which underwent big changes in 2025. For starters, capacity was increased by 4,000, a point to point bagging system was introduced, and a new finish line was located at Manchester University. This year, it’s all about small tweaks, making small adjustments to things like signage now that the organising team has seen the way participants and spectators actually use the new finish area.

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CHRIS REES (he/him) Smith explains: “We’re still growing the Manchester Marathon. That has been a focus and we’re looking at capacities around our Winter Run in London and the Manchester Half Marathon. We’re in or around capacity with them so the events team is looking at how we can unlock some capacity.”

Smith says that there is huge demand for mass participation events, particularly in longer distances. He calls this a positive challenge. Therefore, he is looking into how he meets that demand and creates the right experience for both customers and future customers, AKA those spectating.

TRANSFORMATIONAL MOVES

Smith says that the Manchester Marathon –

supported by GAP Group, Wasserman, BSB Sound, and Norfolk Sound Systems – deserves to be one of the biggest and best marathons in the world, especially as the feedback from customers is so positive and encouraging.

Likewise, LDNX – a new 10k race launched in 2025 by A.S.O UK – was also well received.

It’s coming back in 2026 supported by suppliers, including Terraform, AV Events, NSR Communications, Mist FX, and MJ Productions, that really “stepped up” and went above and beyond to deliver a memorable event.

Smith – assisted by Kirsten Shore, senior operations manager at A.S.O. UK – is making small tweaks to LDNX and on the whole, is looking forward to another busy year, supporting runners, nurturing people,

augustaeventsupport.com n 19

MASS PARTICIPATION and keeping them interested in mass participation sport.

For organisers such as Shane Ohly, CEO at Ourea Events, the biggest challenge he faces is marketing, persuading customers to enter challenge events like the Dragon’s Back Race or Cape Wrath Ultra that have larger entry fees than most. Prices start at £1,899.

“What we see is people thinking that our events are expensive but then when they come to the event, they say it was amazingly good value for money.

“They are big and complex events, and the participants get an amazing experience at them, but that’s quite a challenging sell,” Ohly explains. ‘What we know from our own marketing is that the average time for a participant to discover the event to go through to buying an entry is between four and five years. That makes marketing by far our most challenging activity to deliver. So we’re on a constant learning curve, and I guess what we’re doing differently this year is shifting more of our marketing budget into digital advertising.”

Historically, Ohly and his team have focused on building the brand and has been challenged by a preconception that customers don’t necessarily respond to an advert on social media and enter the Dragon’s Back Race. But he hopes he is wrong and by investing in more digital marketing, he could reduce time to convert significantly.

Ohly continues: “For us, the next 12 months are all about continuing to deliver great events and ensuring they grow. Our ambition is to deliver world-class events and so if we feel that an event doesn’t have that potential, we won’t do it.

That’s our criteria. We are trying to grow participant numbers but modest growth of around another ten per cent would be really transformational for us.”

EXCITING TIMES FOR MASS PARTICIPATION

A.S.O. UK has introduced a new ticket type that gives runners the option to access a postrecovery area following the adidas Manchester Marathon. It’s indicative of the choice now on offer to runners and demonstrates what organisers are doing to encourage people to enter. Why? Because according to Chris Rees, founder of Rees Leisure, organiser of ABP Southampton Marathon, new events are coming to market all the time. He sees this as a good thing because shorter distance events are a great stepping stone to big city marathons like his own, which is supported

by Events Crew, Avenue Audio, Ace Loos, and Enhanced Care Services.

Allerton concurs with Rees. He believes it’s an exciting time for the industry and an exciting time for Motiv Sports UK as the business enters its third year under new ownership.

“This year, we’ll have more time to focus on the longer term,” explains Allerton. “We were under a new organisational structure in January 2024 and had our biggest event happening four and a half months later. In 2024, we had to deliver it at all costs, and it was a great year, but we didn’t have the time to innovate in some respects.”

Last year, Allerton and his team did a lot of brand building and planned ahead. They were able to focus on ticketing because they had time to think about sales cycles and now, as the running space continues to boom, it will remain a core focus.

But first, Hackney Moves 2026 will welcome a “strategic” and “sensible” capacity increase and the Oxford Half Marathon is retaining the “magic” of the city centre following operational and route changes in 2025.

SHANE OHLY (he/him) ‘We’re very fortunate. We’re like other organisers – lots of the big events are selling out and are at their capacity, and so everyone’s working to evolve their events and deliver great experiences for our communities.

“We want to evolve Saucony Run Shoreditch Half. We have a long-term vision for the event and a lot of that work gets done this year to establish it. We know half marathon distance events are in demand so we want to make sure this one flies and everyone loves it,” concludes Allerton.

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ADVERSE WEATHER

WOODCHIP TO THE RESCUE

Come rain or shine Heatwaves, storms, and torrential downpours are becoming the norm so how should event organisers adapt for not-so-extreme and adverse weather? the last few years, extreme weather O ver has forced organisers to cancel their

events and lean on additional resources to get them out of the mud – in some cases, quite literally. But when most people think of extreme weather, they think of rain and wind. Last year, the UK had to get to grips with multiple heatwaves with the Met Office confirming that 2025 was the UK’s sunniest and warmest on record. As a result, and unsurprisingly, there is a growing consensus that considerably hot weather is no longer a rare occurrence but something the live events industry should get used to.

“When people think of extreme weather, they think of wind and rain, but I think heat should now be taken into account,” explains Tim Rudland, client director at Tysers Live.

“Last year, we worked on a 20,000-capacity show and the festival’s safety team and local authority were concerned that the audience were going to be exposed to the intense sun.

There was going to be no cloud, little shade, and they were worried that the medical tent might get overwhelmed.

“We talked to the team on the Monday and discussed ideas; things they could use to mitigate the heat, such as gazebos to shelter security staff, misting stations so people could cool down, and additional shade for customers. Then, we went down to site on the

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Tuesday and got all the additional measures signed off. Within 24 hours of that first call, the funds were given the green light.

“Yes, event cancellation insurance policies cover things like cancellation and abandonment, but they also cover additional costs, and an insurer would rather you spend X amount on some extra measures if it’s going to be cheaper than cancelling the whole show.”

CONTRACTS

Karina Gaertner, head of commercial at Azorra, a legal advisor to the events industry, concurs.

“If you have taken out cancellation insurance, your insurance broker should be engaged early, not just when you are ready to make a claim,” Gaertner explains. “Insurers would generally prefer to fund reasonable mitigation costs than face a full cancellation claim. Early engagement can also provide a helpful sense check on what is considered reasonable when planning for scenarios that may never arise but still need to be prepared for.”

Gaertner says that promoters should treat genuine adverse weather as force majeure and promoters should be familiar with the small print in their contracts, especially any adverse weather clauses.

“There are two key points to look for,” she continues. “First, force majeure provisions

often result in less severe consequences where events are cancelled, postponed, or curtailed for reasons outside the parties’ control. Where possible, contracts should treat genuine adverse weather that impacts safety as a force majeure event.

“Secondly, contracts should clearly set out the other party’s obligations in force majeure scenarios. For example, a supplier contract may include a requirement for the supplier to provide contingency stock or additional services where required and where it is safe to do so. Understanding what support the other party is contractually required to provide makes discussions easier when additional assistance is needed at short notice. Promoters should avoid situations where third parties are able to down tools in circumstances where it remains safe and reasonable for them to continue.”

ACCURATE DATA

Ryan Wilmott, director of GMC Events, is also co-founder of TenEyes Wind Monitoring, which provides organisers with accurate wind and weather data. He says that as weather patterns become more unpredictable, knowing the wind levels on your event site is critical for all outdoor events.

Wilmott came up with the idea for TenEyes after many years working as site manager at

www.azorra.co.uk n 23

ADVERSE WEATHER

SUZANNE JOHNSON (she/her) Boomtown. He tasked his brother-in-law, who he calls a genius, to develop a system capable of managing multiple anemometers – placed anywhere – with their readings feeding into a central database. TenEyes was developed, a battery-operated wireless system that replaced the industry standard – a closed loop system with an anemometer at the top of the stage and a reader at the bottom.

REDUCING DOWNTIME

TenEyes’ central dashboard logs vital data.

If required, the system can send text alerts.

For example, if an anemometer has had an over reading, because the system lets you set different alerts, it stops unnecessary downtime.

It means whole sites don’t have to be shut down if one anemometer is set off in a specific area. Only certain areas may have to stop working at height, leaving everyone else to “crack on”.

Wilmott believes that his TenEyes system builds in efficiency to a load in, which is particularly valuable for any crane operations or lifting as working at height is time sensitive and expensive, and it’s just one weather management tool that is now available to event organisers.

This is particularly important because as stage sets become more ambitious and festivals require more heavy infrastructure, the need for robust systems will only grow, especially as strong winds will get stronger, and freak storms become more the norm.

TOOLKITS FOR EXTREME WEATHER

YOUROPE, the European festival association, says that heatwaves, heavy rain, and high

24 n www.azorra.co.uk

JOHNSON IN ACTION winds are increasingly threatening the livelihood and safety of outdoor events.

As a result, it has developed a Weather Preparedness and Resilience Toolbox – alongside YOUROPE Event Safety Group (YES Group) – to give festivals the means to prepare for such incidents.

The toolbox is a modular knowledge platform intended to help events manage and respond to weather. It contains templates, checklists, decision matrices, and case studies, delivered by practitioners and weather experts.

On top of a lot of tools aimed at production and planning, it includes learning resources, emergency scenarios to practice, and material to hand out to customers.

Holgar Jan Schmidt, YOUROPE’s general secretary, said of the platform: “Climate change is real, and it is not going away. That is a fact – and it is the reality festivals must deal with today. In our pan-European festival promoter surveys, we see weather emerging as an increasingly significant challenge year after year. Regular feedback from the safety community within our YES Group also confirms that weather is the decisive factor in this field.

“Festivals and other outdoor events must prepare for more frequent and more extreme conditions. For this reason, the relevance of what the YES Group has developed can hardly be overstated. It is an unprecedented resource, addressing all types of weather and supporting organisers in preparing themselves and everyone involved in their events to operate safely and responsibly.”

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

Weather is no longer a background risk;

rather, it is now shaping the core of festival planning. Storms develop faster, gusts are stronger, heatwaves are longer, rainfall is more intense, and even wildfires are now a feasible threat.

Suzanne Johnson, senior site manager at LS Events, agrees. She says that extreme weather is not limited to wind and rain; prolonged heat can create equally complex operational challenges on site. Therefore, she has learned to manage various scenarios over the years.

Johnson explains: “A new adverse weather phenomenon we have started to see more frequently at events (and once perceived as favourable) is prolonged periods of extreme hot, dry weather which can bring secondary risks that can escalate quickly if not actively managed. Even when mitigated with nightly irrigation across the site, these conditions can lead to accelerated degradation and loss of grass cover, particularly in high-footfall areas such as audience thoroughfares, front-ofhouse zones, and key operational routes.”

Johnson has significant experience of delivering large-scale events such as American Express presents BST Hyde Park and All Points East. She continues: “When dealing with hot weather, we would typically assess a range of mitigation options, including expanded ground protection, revised routing to redistribute footfall, and enhanced welfare controls. Alongside ground management, heat mitigation and hydration are an operational priority.

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ADVERSE WEATHER

house areas as a priority and additional water points may be introduced, supported by clear signage and consistent welfare messaging encouraging hydration.”

These are not Johnson’s only considerations when it’s hot. Given that elements of the water infrastructure may be above ground, elevated temperatures also present a water quality risk. To manage this, LS Events’ flush the system daily to maintain acceptable temperatures and reduce the risk of bacterial growth. Collectively, these controls allow the event production specialist to maintain safe operations while continuing to adapt to changing site conditions.

“Access to safe, potable drinking water needs to be viewed as a critical control measure, not a supporting service,” Johnson adds. “These conditions also highlight the importance of understanding how temporary water infrastructure behaves in sustained high temperatures, particularly where pipework is exposed.”

ROBUST PLANNING AND PREP

According to Johnson, effective weather management relies on robust contingency planning – often plan B, C, and D – and having the confidence and trust of both venue

26 n www.azorra.co.uk

stakeholders and promoters to take decisive action when conditions demand it.

Olly Galvin, director of Acumen Safety, agrees. He says that organisers need to prepare and adopt a belt and braces approach to weather management.

“Last year, I worked on two shows where we had to perform showstops because of electrical storms,” he explains. “Lightning is hard to deal with because you lose a chunk of time, and you have to know what to do with your crowd while the electric storm is overhead.

“If it’s a concert, you could evacuate the site and the show’s probably over but if you’re a festival organiser, can you put people in your campsites or does your greenfield site have lots of trees? Do you need to move people? If it’s raining heavily, is your drainage overwhelmed? There are lots of things and variables to consider.”

TIGHTENING UP PROCESSES

In 2025, Galvin worked alongside DHP Family’s Splendour with Bob Bark, operations director of live. The festival’s finale was delayed because of a lightning and thunderstorm warning. Bark and Galvin had to perform a showstop, evacuate some

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ADVERSE WEATHER venues, and then restart the festival, which can be a complicated process. Galvin says that a show restart requires a period of crowd movements – to fill venues back up again – before operations can commence. This takes time so following the 2025 event, Galvin and Bark plan to “tighten up” that restart process so that customers can get back to enjoying the festival quicker.

WEATHER-BASED DECISION-MAKING

But DHP Family is not the only event owner to look at weather and its impact. Acumen Safety has been contracted to provide safety services to Dundee’s Doof in the Park, organised by TV Events. Galvin is working alongside the one-day show’s promoter and is paying specific attention to the event’s location and weather plans.

Why? Because historic weather data can be a huge help during the planning phase and even new Met Office research states that probability-based forecasts can better inform weather-based decision-making.

Ross Patel has been working with LIVE Green, which was recently approached by the Met Office. The meteorological service wishes to work with key stakeholders in the event sector to help mitigate weather risk.

StandOut is led to believe that the Met Office – working in collaboration with the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology – is at the very early stages of a project to develop resources or a service that organisers could find useful. Patel says that it’s not necessarily an app but potentially more guidance or a toolkit that will be created in a language that organisers understand.

WEATHER DELIVERED A LIFE LESSON

Nigel Gough, operations director at The Great Run Company, has experienced more than his fair share of extreme weather. From heatwaves and gale force winds to lightning and even a Mesoscale Convective Storm

28 n www.azorra.co.uk

(MCS), which delivered 60mm of rain in an hour during the The Great North Run in 2023.

“An MCS is something I’d never come across but bloody hell, when it came in, it pushed us,” explains Gough. “The police did stand up and it was major incident-esque because transport infrastructure had gone down, the Metro was flooded, buses were stuck, and car parks were awash.”

Gough refers to that event as a “life lesson”.

Following the 2023 event, changes were made to event control and the police insisted on setting up a tactical coordinating group (TCG) at the police headquarters for The Great North Run. .

Whilst this significant weather event happened in 2023, it has informed lots of The Great Run Company’s weather management planning since. Rolling forward, and since that event, Gough and his team have dealt with a wide variety of weather systems, including lightning at the Great North Swim, unseasonably hot weather at the Great Bristol Run and Great Scottish Run in 2025, and storms which led to the cancellation of the Great South Run in 2024.

SHARE BEST PRACTICE

Tragically, at Great Bristol Run, one participant died after taking part in the race. It was a hot day. Therefore, Gough is now part of a heat stress working group, which is comprised of mass participation event organisers who share best practice on how to manage extreme temperatures, including advice on rapid cooling facilities, customer communication, and medical cover, for example.

“We’re due to meet again,” Gough continues. “We share data and best practice.

From minimum standards in terms of medical cover to proactive comms.”

He adds: “Two weeks before any of our events, we start tracking the weather to see what’s happening. As the event gets closer,

and we know it’s going to be warm, we send out additional comms if there are things we need to bring to people’s attention.

“But then there are other things. For example, if you know it’s going to be hot, talk to your commentator. So, when people are running the last mile or last 400 metres, they don’t push themselves on the last part of the course. Tell your commentator not to encourage them to get under a certain time.

At the start line, your commentator can tell participants that it’s not a day for PBs. Also, the people doing the warm-ups can get participants to stretch rather than have them jump up and down.

“There’s a whole suite of things you can do alongside extra water and additional welfare.”

KITTED OUT

According to Gough, it’s all about teamwork.

Working with your ops team and contracted suppliers to come up with solutions if you’re faced with all the seasons in one day and a variety of weather-related scenarios.

For example, at the Great Scottish Run, the medical marquee measures 25m x 15m. At the Great North Run, the medical tent measures 75m x 25m. Both are critical facilities, completely kitted out to deal with a range of eventualities but if the wind was to take either of those marquees out, Gough and his team would not have an event.

“If it’s windy, there are a range of measures we put in place,” Gough continues. “We talk to our marquee companies to make sure their guys are on standby and that they’ve got the right ballast. We make sure the structures are properly ratcheted down.

“If the weather hits you, you have to have a clear understanding of the knock-on effects because if you lose a significant structure the day before, like a medical tent, then you can’t responsibly stage the event,” he concludes.

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PROFILE

ZAC FOX ( she/her)

The only way was up From “crap” receptionist to CEO. Kilimanjaro Live’s Zac Fox on imposter syndrome, her new role, and why she plans to put people before profit 30 n www.olympuscrew.co.uk

PROFILE January, Zac Fox was appointed I nCEO of Kilimanjaro Live, taking over

responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of the promoter from founder Stuart Galbraith.

It’s a role she has officially had for a month and known about for some time but when we chat, it’s clear that she is still getting used to her new title.

“The decision that I’d become CEO was made at the beginning of October,” explains Fox. “I didn’t tell anyone for a long time though, as there was my internal unhelpful voice that thought the idea was just ridiculous.

Sensible me recognised that it completely made sense though.”

Born and raised in the British Army, Fox has been in “training” for the role for the last 30 years and she has worked at Kilimanjaro Live for the last 18. Originally, she joined the company as a receptionist, covering maternity leave, and was set to leave when she was asked to stay on. But it wasn’t her receptionist skills that were noticed. In fact, Maurice Jones, who was MD at the time, called her a crap receptionist. Yet, the team liked what they saw and they agreed to figure something out.

“Maurice paid attention and took action when he overheard me telling others that my contract was up, and I will always be grateful for that,” Fox continues. “I am confident I would have been fine somewhere else but he gave me a career in an industry that I love and in a company where I thought, ‘Yeah, these are my people’.”

LEARN TO VALUE YOURSELF

Fox, former group COO of Kilimanjaro Live, joined Kili in 2008 and spent 12 years as head of operations. She strongly believes her ascent through the business will make her a better CEO. She is not afraid to get her hands dirty, she has no time for needy people who do nothing to help themselves, and despite her strong character and no-nonsense approach, she displays vulnerability.

“I never thought I would end up in a position like this. I mean, why would you, I’m a Gen X woman. We were raised to think that being an excellent wife and mother should be our ambition. There’s also constant imposter syndrome but I think I have started winning the war against myself on that.

“I feel there can be a problem with how women think, particularly those of my age.

I’m hoping that as the generations come through it will get better. We can just accept how things are and get on with it rather than expecting better for ourselves. I think that’s one of the things that makes me a half decent – listen to me – not half decent, I am a good person manager. I understand a lot of motivations and why people struggle with some things. I know how to approach people and tell them, ‘You’re really good at this’, ‘You should champion yourself’, ‘You’re doing a great job’ in a way that they can hear and believe. So this new role feels right, as I get to really focus on people.”

Fox is smiling, chuckling, whilst also being brutally honest about her feelings. It’s refreshing to listen to a strong woman, with

ON-SITE WITH BILL BAILEY a firm sense of character, express candid opinions and display vulnerability. She tells StandOut that when she found out that she would be the new CEO, it was such as obvious move but at the same time, she felt sick and found it funny. Why? Because women have a lot of experience, but we don’t know how to value ourselves, she says openly.

GIVING PEOPLE GREAT CAREERS

People, team welfare, and personnel development will be key focuses for Fox. She hints that she will be a different CEO to Galbraith, who has stepped aside to focus on his role as CEO and promoter of KMJ Group. It’s a move that has been months in the making and is the result of an internal business review.

Last autumn, KMJ Entertainment took a good long hard look at itself. The entertainment company knew it wished to grow, but it could not progress with any plans until it knew its position. Previously, the promoter had adopted an organic approach to business, but its next phase of development required a more structured approach. Galbraith asked Jo Quillan to strategically review the group. Fox’s promotion was a result of that review and the obvious move.

“I’ve been doing a lot of the job for quite a long time under Stuart,” Fox comments. “Now I just have to ask him less whether I can do things or not, which is a delight.” She laughs.

So, what will be her focus? And how will she differ to Galbraith? “I come from the people side of things,” she adds. “I’m not about profit first. I totally understand profit, and I want success, but probably for different reasons.

People doing great in the right jobs will show on the bottom line.

“I think I am the first CEO of a national promoter who isn’t a promoter – and I think I’m probably the first woman as well – but

www.olympuscrew.co.uk n 31

PROFILE

I think when a promoter is in charge of a company, they are driven by the impact of the shows on the bottom line. Obviously, the majority of them love the music and the audience and they love to see the progression of an artist. But ultimately, it’s about numbers. Have we made money?

That number is so important, but to me that number gives us the ability to give people great careers,” she continues.

“I love promoters. They are so driven and passionate but I think – sometimes – they forget what everybody else does. They can bring in the work, but none of the money will reach the bank unless all these other people do their jobs really, really well, and they’re the ones I really care about.”

FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY

Fox has a plan. She wants to ensure that the team is able to nurture their skills and make great experiences for the artist, for the audience, and for everyone involved.

“I don’t want to be a machine,” she explains. “We’ve always tried not to be a machine. We try to be ethical, honourable people and we are the sum of our people so I want to put more focus on their development. We’re so busy all the time, and no one has a moment to learn how to use a new system that will save someone three hours a week. So, that’s my focus. I want to find us new ways of doing the stuff we always do, so people can do more. If we are able to do more with the same number of people then that gives me some room in the budget to ideally reward people further.

“We’re currently onboarding a new platform that will revolutionise how we organise booking gigs and confirming gigs and doing our costings. Ultimately, I want to support people with their development plans and for them to see that if they are the right fit, they will go far in our company.”

32 n www.olympuscrew.co.uk

FOX WITH THE BAND EMBRACE BEING MORE TRANSPARENT

Fox and Galbraith share the same “base values” but Fox does intend to make some changes with support from Galbraith and the wider leadership team. For example, she has every intention of being a lot more transparent around what people earn.

Fox explains: “I want people to know what they need to do to reach the next point in their development. The plan is to come up with a set of standards and behaviours that we expect from different levels within different departments and different roles so people can see where they are heading and then earn some more money.

“My whole career has been based on spotting what needed doing and doing it.

After time, it would be accepted that I needed to switch jobs to doing whatever I’d picked up on a full-time basis. Then it would be on to the next thing I’d spot. That’s been my whole career really. I’ve created most of my own opportunities. Not everyone has the support to do that but it would be great if it was more acceptable. It really plays to people’s strengths and interests.

“So in terms of focus, I want to do a little bit of levelling to make sure people are clear about where they need to be. I want to

be a good manager, help others to be a good manager, and help others to do really well.”

DON’T OVERTHINK IT

Fox is hands on. She has worked in every single department at Kili, except marketing, so she’s now working on that “hole in her knowledge” and is not too proud to do things.

She’ll “put shit in the dishwasher” every time she goes in the kitchen and she is not backwards in coming forwards.

“My new job is going to take some getting used to but it feels completely right now I’m doing it,” she says.

“The reaction to my promotion has been lovely and I was introduced to someone as the CEO last week and that was a bit weird, now people are saying it out loud, and so I keep having these moments. I’m sure it will begin to feel normal soon.

“There has only been one person who went, ‘Bloody hell’ when I told them, which could be taken two ways, but I am trying not to overthink it,” Fox concludes. “I have taken a lot of steps to get here and I like knowing that this will likely be the last job I ever have.

I just wish there was a sticker for getting from receptionist to CEO!”

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PICTURE GALLERY

Who can you spot?

Team StandOut has been on the road, visiting industry events up and down the country. Look who we bumped into at the AIF Festival Congress. Who do you recognise in our picture gallery?

WE GROUP’S NICK MORGAN (he/him) AND FREELANCER KATE OSLER (she/her)

TOGATHER LIVE’S TIM FANUCCI (he/him)

LFX EVENTS’ LUKE FITZMAURICE (he/him) , GEMFEST’S SAM MORGAN (he/him), AND LS EVENTS’ ED BUTLER (he/him)

TEAM LOVE’S JESS LARDNER (she/her) , SAFER SPACES’ ANNA MACGREGOR (she/her) , SHAMBALA’S JUDY BEC (she/her) , AND CITY OF BRISTOL COLLEGE’S WILL LARDNER (he/him)

SG11’S ALEX TRENCHARD (he/him) , YIN YANG MEDIA UK’S NINA SEBASTIANE (she/her) , FROM THE FIELDS’ GRACE MAINON (she/her) , AND Y NOT FESTIVAL’S KEVIN MOORE (he/him) 34 n www.olympuscrew.co.uk

RADAR FESTIVAL’S JOE JAMES (he/him) AND CATHERINE JACKSON-SMITH (she/her)

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PROFILE

AIMÉE-LOUISE BAKER (she/her)

Wonder woman

It’s International Women’s Day on March 8. Read on as Aimée-Louise Baker talks about the realities of life in events and juggling work with being a mum, a PhD student, and… a wedding planner StandOut sits down with AiméeW hen Louise Baker, currently Manchester

Marathon’s event director, we can’t help but be amazed. Is she sitting on some big secret to achieving the perfect work/life balance that no one knows about? We ask the question because Baker is studying for a PhD in Crowd Operations whilst juggling a successful career in events and being a mum of two young children under five. Oh, and she is in the final throes of planning a wedding; she is getting married in two weeks’ time, too.

“There’s definitely no secret,” says Baker, laughing. “I certainly don’t appear to sit still for long! But the kids don’t let me either!”

Baker has a passion for her job and vast experience of large-scale events. She is Manchester Marathon’s event director but not for long because she is about to step back into the world of freelancing. A role she had from 2010 until 2017. So what’s pulling her back? “Two main reasons,” Baker says. “First, my eldest is starting school this September –

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time does fly! I realised I want more flexibility so I can be there to pick my kids up from the school gates. Second, I want to put my PhD research into practice, and freelancing gives me the freedom to work with different organisations to make that happen.

“Ultimately, I’d love a career that blends research and practice. Freelancing also suits my personality – I love variety, meeting new people, and working in different environments.”

DOGS AND DETERMINATION

When Baker started the PhD application in 2020, she was single. Since then, she has met her partner, had two children, added a dog into the mix, and is about to get married. A lot of life has happened in the midst of her PhD. She says there were moments when people suggested she should put her studies on hold but she knew that if she stopped completely, she might lose momentum. She chose to keep going and it’s this determination that has carried her through life.

Baker explains: “I struggled academically when I was younger. I wasn’t someone who picked things up quickly in a traditional classroom setting, and being placed in lower sets definitely knocked my self-esteem and confidence for a while.

“But something shifted in my teens. I started to understand how to learn the best way for me. I went on to do well in my exams, then university, and eventually (after 12 more years) reached a point where a PhD felt possible.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is

PROFILE that school teaches in a particular way, and that way doesn’t suit everyone. I’m a very practical, applied learner. I understand things deeply when I can connect them to real-world experience. That’s actually become a strength — especially in research, where seeing patterns, themes and gaps really matters.”

She continues: “Doing a PhD hasn’t been about being ‘naturally academic’. It’s been about curiosity, persistence, and backing myself. Especially doing it part-time, alongside work and children – it’s determination more than anything, so my advice to anyone who struggled early on is this: don’t let your first experience of education define your ceiling.

Learning isn’t one-size-fits-all. Sometimes it just takes time to figure out how your brain works – and once you do, it can completely change the trajectory.”

BLENDING ACADEMIA AND PRACTICE

Baker loves events. Her experiences of working on events such as Royal Ascot and Manchester Marathon have taught her that success demands adaptability, versatility, and a readiness to step into any role required to make it all work.

In 2018, Baker started managing the Manchester Marathon. Since then, the event has grown from 13,000 participants to 40,000.

Being part of that growth has been incredible, she says. As the event has expanded, her role has focused on the marathon route itself. With more participants and spectators, analysing and managing crowds has become a larger and more complex part of her work. But now her dream and focus is to build a portfolio career that intentionally bridges academia and practice.

“I’m particularly interested in consulting roles with people movement specialists, transport operators, local authorities, and host cities preparing for major events, basically anywhere with large crowds,” she adds. “My focus is on helping organisations assess readiness: analysing infrastructure, behavioural patterns, identifying spatial and operational risks, and translating that into clear, actionable strategies.

“What differentiates me is the combination of 16 years delivering major events at senior level, alongside five years of doctoral research in crowd science. I understand both the operational realities on the ground and the analytical frameworks behind effective crowd operations. That dual perspective allows me to bridge the gap between theory and implementation – and provide advice that is scientifically evidence-based, pragmatic and commercially viable.”

FINDING A BALANCE

Baker says that could not have studied for a PhD and juggled work and life without the love and support of her family. Her studies have been a constant juggle, peppered with mum guilt, and there have been times where she has been exhausted trying to get the balance right.

She explains: “I was so aware that the kids are only little for a short time that I only studied when they napped or were asleep.

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It did mean I’ve been pretty exhausted as I didn’t do much else for myself.

“We don’t have relatives around the corner, but when we plan it in, they step up so I can focus. It’s not perfect balance – it’s planning, support, and accepting that at certain times, something needs to give.”

She adds: “But I’ve learned that I need to be kinder to myself. I’ve put a lot of pressure on finishing my PhD — and I’ll complete it in 4.5 years part-time (minus the maternity leave), which I’m really proud of.

“Despite the mum guilt, I have also learned that you don’t have to hold back on your ambitions, whilst also building a loving family.

I hope that my kids will be super proud of what I have achieved. To do it though, you do have to be very disciplined and have good structure to be able to work around those that really matter to you.

“There’s still a perception that working parttime means being less committed, but that hasn’t been my experience at all. If anything, it demands sharper focus and better time management. It can be challenging — you often return feeling like you have a lot to catch up on — but choosing to spend more time

with your family should never be mistaken for a lack of ambition or dedication.”

THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT

In just a few months, Baker will have finished her studies. She is currently preparing for her viva voce, the oral examination and professional grilling of all her hard work. But what does she plan to do with all that knowledge?

“It’s been one of the hardest and most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” Baker continues. “Starting my PhD in 2020, when events weren’t happening, might have seemed odd to some, but it actually gave me the space to focus and confirm this was what I wanted to do.

“Balancing part-time study with work, two maternity leave breaks, and family life has been full on! Naps, late nights, and the occasional quiet afternoon became my study time.”

She concludes: “Now that I’m almost at the finish line, my goal is to bridge research and real-world crowd operations. I want to consult on major events, public spaces, and transport hubs, help shape policy around crowded environments, and develop a course based on my PhD work.”

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TEMPORARY OVERLAY

Making major events happen What’s the secret to great temporary overlay?

Event professionals reveal all

ARENA Kim failed to take home gold in C hloe the halfpipe at the Winter Olympics, a

move that would have put her in the history books. The American snowboarder was denied a third consecutive Olympic gold medal, a feat no snowboarder has ever achieved. Instead, 17-year-old Choi Ga-on from South Korea was on top of the podium at Milan-Cortina 2026, after wowing the judges with her impressive run of jumps, rotations, and tricks.

Milan-Cortina 2026 is the 25th edition of the Winter Olympic Games and marks a return to the Alps after Cortina d’Ampezzo hosted the event in 1956.

Seventy years ago, every single sporting event took place outside when the words insufficient snow levels were not even a thing.

Today, unlike the summer Games, which are concentrated within major cities, MilanCortina is taking place across Northern Italy in a range of alpine valleys and regions; in a mix of new and established venues, which have required innovative temporary facilities to host thousands of excited sporting fans.

FROM CONCEPT TO REALITY

Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, the organising committee of the Winter Games, appointed GL events as official temporary infrastructure partner of Milan-Cortina 2026.

The contract – for 20 Olympic and Paralympic venues – includes the supply of temporary infrastructure, including modular buildings, temporary grandstands, media stations, and

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portable hydraulic units at prestigious venues such as the Santa Giulia Arena in Milan for the ice hockey and para ice hockey competitions, Predazzo for the skiing and Nordic combined events, and Cortina d’Ampezzo for the women’s alpine skiing competitions.

As StandOut writes, event professionals from the UK are supporting the organising committee, given the scale and logistical complexity of the event and companies such as Fast Engenharia and Nussli Group are also working on the Winter Games.

For instance, Chris Ball, director of Xplor Events, and an experienced overlay and commodities manager, is currently assisting Triton Project Solutions on a project in Northern Italy, braving extremely cold temperatures and snow. So what is it about overlay that he loves so much?

“I think it’s creating a plan from nothing,” he says. “For example, having that open space, being involved early on, having the brief, and starting to put things on paper, then working out potential issues and the solutions. I also love speaking with suppliers and building relationships with people who have the same enthusiasm for events.”

He continues: “When you take someone’s concept or idea and make that into reality by reaching out to suppliers and saying, ‘This is what we need and how are we going to do it?’ that’s great.”

PROPER PROCUREMENT

But what’s the secret to getting temporary

CHRIS BALL (he/him) overlay right? Is it a dark art? StandOut asks Tom Alldread, project director at GL events, which is confirmed to work on the Ryder Cup 2027. He laughs. “I wouldn’t want to tell you all our secrets,” Alldread chuckles. “But in all seriousness, overlay is quite an ‘eventy’ term.

It means the coming together of various different commodities – whether that’s cabins, toilets, structures, fencing, or trackway – and

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TEMPORARY OVERLAY being delivered by a single contractor, a single point of contact.

“It’s not a complicated thing to do, really.

But it’s about sequencing and scheduling, and proper procurement and that is the trickiest bit.”

EMBEDDED PARTNER

In the last 12 months, a number of largescale organisers have opted to change how they deliver their events. Instead of working with experienced overlay providers, big organisations like Silverstone and The Jockey Club have decided to take over the delivery of their own official hospitality, for instance, appointing in-house project leads, whilst others – such as Glasgow 2026 – are moving away from an overlay model and going down an event delivery partnership (EDP) route, a “one team” approach. Trivandi, for example, which has been appointed to Glasgow 2026, will operate as an embedded partner, even working in the same office space with the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company.

Alldread confirms that the events world is changing. Moving from the phrase temporary overlay to EDP. But it’s a model that will only work if the client and supplier want it to work and it all comes down to transparency, he says. Both parties must buy into the EDP if it is to be delivered properly.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Like Alldread, Robert Lamb, group commercial manager at Triton Project Solutions, believes communication and people are key to getting temporary overlay right. Oh, and knowing your products.

“I think if you’re going to do overlay well, you need to know what you’re providing the client,” Lamb says. “When we engage with another supplier, I want to know I can trust them and that they will turn up and deliver. I want to know everything about their commodity so that when I’m asked a question in a meeting or on the spot, I’ve got the answer. Knowledge is power. Knowing the spec, its requirements, where it’s going, what it looks like, how it’s getting there, and passing that detail on to stakeholders so everyone is on the same page, builds that trust – that’s key.”

The devil is in the detail. But Ball believes that there needs to be flexibility in the planning to accommodate last minute changes. Lamb concurs. He says: “Flexibility is key. Especially with overlay, things will change, and they constantly change. The only thing that doesn’t change is the event date.”

He continues: “At the beginning of an event, I give someone a shopping list. They can pick what they want, and then we’re good to go. But if further down the line, they decide they don’t

just want toilets for example, but they also want the toilets cleaning, we know they will have already had a price and be able to apply that to a budget.

“Honouring pricing given at the earlier stages of the quotation is important. If anything does change, commercially or operationally, then open communication when providing options or solutions is best to allow the client to choose what suits them.”

TALK TO SPECIALISTS

Ball – who has worked with LS Events, Arena, GL events, and Triton Project Solutions on large projects like Sail GP – argues that the trick to getting overlay right is compliance and safety. He comments: “You need to be safety driven and trust your suppliers, trust that they know their products and how best they can be used. That information needs to be worked into a design. You can’t force a solution out of something just because you think it might look better, or it could be easier or save time. That’s when you’ll trip yourself up and so you need to talk to specialists and see what they can come up with.”

Ball adds: “That’s why I love working with Arena and GL and Triton because they think outside box. They know their products and know how to utilise them and suppliers like that are gold.”

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Jeremy Troughton, managing director – overlay and global major events at Arena, concurs with Alldread. Overlay itself is not tricky, there’s no “real rocket science behind it”, he says. It’s just something that the events industry does day in, day out. As a result, he would love to break down the barrier of it being treated as something special.

“In the major event world, organisers and organising committees tend to procure by either commodity or by the full turnkey delivery of a venue but what they want is something we do every day and I don’t think there’s a dark art to it. I think what’s important to understand, especially where everybody is looking to reduce costs and maximise revenues and margins, is what works and what doesn’t.

“There’s always somebody new coming in, trying to do things, in a new way. And that’s great, and change is really positive for the most part. But there are lessons that have been learned the hard way, and it’s important to communicate those lessons to the next generation coming through.”

UNDERSTAND BUDGETS AND EXPECTATIONS

Like Troughton, Chris Norman, group CEO at Visions Group, doesn’t believe overlay is rocket science. He says it’s easier for companies that are simply installing commodities under the guise of an agency, but if you’re really in control, he says, if you truly have a handle on the detail, if you understand timescales, then that makes a big difference on the success of a project.

“You have to understand budgets and levels of expectation, and you have to be

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TECHNICAL OVERLAY BY VISIONS prepared, and if you can do that then it’s not as difficult as it seems,” he comments.

Technical Overlay by Visions is currently working on plans with Silverstone for a product called Helipad to Hospitality.

In 2025, Technical Overlay, a division of Visions Group, and Air Charter Service Helipad worked in partnership to deliver an enhanced on-site heliport operation and bespoke helicopter terminal at the F1 British GP. This year, that offer is being developed to include a helicopter terminal with a hospitality deck on top of the heliport, measuring roughly 2,500 square metres. It means guests can arrive by helicopter, continue to use the structure and enjoy hospitality or jump in a bespoke taxi service and experience what Silverstone has to offer.

Norman and his team will be in charge of delivering the project, including the timeline, and ensuring the project meets the high standards expected by high net worth individuals. Therefore, attention to detail, adaptability, and experience will be paramount to deliver the project on time.

TRANSPARENCY IS KEY

Often, organisers are accused of undervaluing overlay partners. It’s said that they don’t see the value in overlay because experienced organisations can make it look easy. But it is the years of experience, the processes, the operations, the procurement, the schedules, and the planning that make overlay look simple. To overlay providers, those elements are second nature. To an organiser, they are seen as a cost. Yet, when you have eight, nine, or ten different commodities to get into a space, only experience can navigate that huge jigsaw puzzle that is a live event site.

Alldread says that procurement has a huge role to play in forming the perfect overlay or EDP model. Rather than understanding the spreadsheet, there is a need to understand the event and that’s where value comes in. The events industry needs to focus on aesthetic, reputation, and experience and not just price. Otherwise, forget about delivering infrastructure at the Olympics, overlay companies will be in their own race. To the bottom line.

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Raising the bar A significant investment in new and established venues is encouraging promoters and organisers to produce new and memorable events. StandOut looks at the venue market to new figures from Story A ccording Events and Venue Search London,

a quarter of event professionals anticipate an increase in overall event activity in 2026.

That’s a positive statistic and means that 25 per cent of organisers will need a venue or event space for their new events.

The research shows that 67 per cent of buyers expect to deliver a similar number of events in 2026 but a combination of increased costs and restricted budgets will impact on their event delivery, comments Sam Gill, CEO of Venue Search London. Therefore, he says that buyers will need to negotiate hard and shop around to get the same value from their limited funds.

Paul Michael, managing director at Coventry Building Society Arena, describes the current market as a challenging economic environment, but thanks to the launch of new spaces and development of established venues, organisers and customers are bolstered by a clear commitment from venue operators to deliver world-class events.

NEW VENUES

YTL Live, the operating company for the new live entertainment complex in Bristol, has

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announced Aviva, the UK insurer, as the new partner of Bristol’s 20,000 capacity indoor arena, marking a major milestone in the delivery of one of Europe’s most ambitious live entertainment venues.

The long-term multi-million-pound sponsorship agreement secures naming rights for the venue, which will be known as Aviva Arena when it opens in late 2028.

The venue will feature 20 state-of-theart dressing rooms, extensive production facilities, flexible end-stage or centre-stage configurations, and Europe’s largest services yard, capable of accommodating up to 60 touring lorries simultaneously.

It’s the latest in a flurry of announcements from arena operators that are looking to enhance the venue experience for all stakeholders, both organisers and customers.

For example, Leeds first direct bank arena kicked 2026 off in style, with the launch of a premium experience for guests. The 13,781-capacity music venue partnered with Leeds-based hospitality design specialist Design Tonic to create a new space called The Deck that aims to offer the ultimate night out for music lovers. Yet, it’s not the only new space to open its doors to organisers.

Ministry of Sound has unveiled the most significant transformation in its 35-year history. The renovations, completed at the end of January, include a new KV2 sound system, a fully redesigned dancefloor, a multi-dimensional lighting installation, and a modular DJ booth, lowered into the crowd, which allows for multiple stage formats.

The refurbishment comes at a pivotal moment for London’s late-night scene.

After years of closures, regulation, and the pandemic, venues across the city, from XOYO to LOST, are reopening, and galleries and museums are extending late-night programming with music-driven events.

XOYO London reopened on January 31, after a complete rebuild of the space’s core infrastructure, with a renewed focus on sound quality, production and underground programming.

The refurbishment has centred on fundamentals. The venue’s basement has been fully redesigned, beginning with a complete recalibration and expansion of the Void sound system. Production across the basement has also been overhauled and the updated setup features 350 metres of pixeltube lighting, six custom-built LED cubes,

VENUES

QUARTERS

and like Ministry of Sound, a redesigned stage and DJ booth layout.

MORE THAN A LIVE SPACE

Further south and in January, Plymouth Pavilions rebranded as Plymouth Arena, marking a new era for the indoor space. The venue plans to invest in innovation and talent and evolve its operations to be sharper, more sustainable, and ready for what’s next.

But for now the transition to Plymouth Arena will be rolled out across signage, onsite branding, and marketing materials. It’s hoped that the venue’s fresh new look will attract promoters looking to boost the area’s economy with a wide programme of events.

Sarah Phillips, CEO of Plymouth Arena, says that the arena has been the place where memories were made but now the rebrand must reflect a new “energy and ambition” including a “promise to be louder, braver and more connected than ever before”.

Pete Jordan, director of music and events for A Man About A Dog (AMAAD), concurs with Phillips’ point. He wants to create venues that are more than a live space. To be successful, they must tap into a local ecosystem and community.

OLYMPIA’S NATIONAL HALL AMAAD – the promoter behind Junction 2, Boundary Festival, and The Prospect Building in Bristol – launched Quarters in Brighton last year. AMAAD “gutted” the building and have returned it back into a multi-functional space with a vast investment.

“We want to create a compelling network of venues which retain their own individual character,” says Jordan. “We want to add some positivity into what’s been a way too gloomy industry for the last two to three years. I think the industry needs to stop talking about all the venues closing down.

We need to focus on the venues which are

opening and people who are actually putting positivity into the economy.”

AN EXCITING NEW PROSPECT

AMAAD has secured a licence for a 6,500-capacity warehouse space in London, and there are plans to unveil more event spaces and venue developments in the coming months.

Jordan – an experienced promoter is his own right – called one project another “exciting prospect”, no pun intended, with opportunities to work with local and external promoters. “We want to complement an

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VENUES

XOYO

area and not just come in and trample over existing communities and scenes,” he says.

Indeed, new venues and venue developments breed new business, encourage visitors into an area, and generate additional investment. Something which Olympia knows only too well.

SHAKING UP THE MARKET

The London venue has staged major sporting moments since opening in 1886, alongside its long-standing programme of exhibitions, conferences and live events. But this spring, boxing steps back into that story.

Promoter Most Valuable Promotions, cofounded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, will host its inaugural event in the UK in the venue’s National Hall on April 5. The card will feature a double main event led by the lightweight world title unification of Caroline Dubois vs. Terri Harper and the world title clash of Ellie Scotney vs. Mayelli Flores.

“We chose Olympia because we like to do things differently,” says Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of MVP. “We like to be disruptive. We like to be innovators. And this place has been putting on great boxing for a long time, but it’s been a long time since great boxing has been in this amazing venue.”

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Olympia’s £1.3 billion redevelopment is reshaping the site into a mixed-use events destination with new venues, hospitality spaces and public realm. For MVP, that evolution was a huge part of the appeal.

Bidarian continues further: “With the revamp of Olympia underway and all the amazing things they have going on, with the restaurants that are coming, with the new theatres, with the hotels, this is where boxing is going to make a Renaissance, and we were glad to be first to do it.”

Bryce Holden, COO of MVP echoed this sentiment, saying the decision to host its event at Olympia was a carefully thought-out and deliberate one. “We’ve been searching [for] where to go and how to ingress into London and the UK market for some time,” Holden explains. “Olympia made the most sense for us, by far. It’s an iconic venue. It’s historic, 140 years old at this point, not too dissimilar from the sport of boxing, especially in the UK, which is a very old sport and old guard. We want to come into the market and disrupt.”

He adds that the scale of investment in the venue also played a central role in MVP’s decision. “The team at Olympia are overhauling the historic venue and pouring an incredible amount of money and resources to transform it into a beautiful new destination, and we want to showcase that, come into the facility and do something that’s also going to shake up the market.

“Instead of going to a theatre or classic hall, we wanted to go somewhere that’s a marquee and staple for London. We’re very excited to be here, and we hope to do more events in the future,” he comments.

For Olympia’s events team, the fixture signals more than a one-off sporting date. It is a reflection of the breadth and flexibility in the content Olympia is able to host amid its major transformation.

“The boxing event here at Olympia is a really significant one, and a real gear change for us,” says Gareth Lloyd, Olympia Events business development director. “We’re going through a huge, multi-billion-pound redevelopment, and that redevelopment really enables us to have and deliver real flexibility for our event owners, and different types of events and content that we’ll seek to host in the future.”

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SHOWSTOP

SHOWSTOP PROCEDURE TRAINING

Are you prepared to say stop?

StandOut’s Caroline Clift recently took part in Pink Bows Foundation’s Showstop Procedure training.

Discover what she learned with course tutors Steve Allen and Mark Hamilton

a bit of a grey day when StandOut I t’sheads to Solihull to take part in Pink

Bows Foundation’s Showstop Procedure Course, the only internationally accredited course of its kind and one that works collaboratively with the UKCMA, GCMA, and ESA. Armed with a pen and paper and some listening ears, I plonk myself at the back of the room, not knowing how much I will truly understand. Turns out, that for more than 20 years, I’ve been quite the sponge. Writing about the live events industry, reporting on its developments, and analysing the tragic incidents that have shaped the way we must organise events now.

As I peruse the course literature, the first line of the workbook reminds everyone that history evidences a catalogue of events where tragic outcomes could have been prevented.

This is why Showstop Procedure training was launched in March 2025: to prevent event-related fatalities and injuries and help event professionals plan and prepare for emergencies by adopting an internationally accepted and standardised approach to public safety and operational readiness.

Procedure. Now he hopes to pass those pearls of wisdom on to others, empowering the audience and simply drawing out the information that they actually already know.

Allen explains: “Myself and Mark haven’t reinvented the wheel. We haven’t made something up to sell it as snake oil. A showstop is a proven concept that genuinely works and we simplify what is considered a very complex situation, dispelling myths because in an emergency you haven’t got time to second guess and regroup.”

SHOWSTOP TRAINING SHOULD NOT BE COMPLICATED

Showstop Procedure training requires a common sense approach, a pragmatic brain, that has the capacity to identify foreseeable risks. Those foreseeable risks of an undesirable occurrence are ever present.

Therefore, you have to think about the plans

you would put in place to maintain control of the environment you’re responsible for, to achieve safe outcomes.

For many, the thought of stopping a live show in the face of an immediate threat to life is daunting. Indeed, if you’re going to sit in that seat and adopt the role of showstop manager then it comes with a whole heap of responsibility. Competency is key and you need to be the cool head in a heated situation. But what you don’t need is documentation so thick that you could use it as a doorstop. A Showstop Procedure should be comprehensive but not complicated and so this course is designed to give eventprofs with crowd/safety experience even more knowledge to perform this safety critical role.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING

According to both Allen and Hamilton, safety is crucial and “the tail cannot wag the

DISPELLING THE MYTHS

Steve Allen, a crowd safety and security consultant with more than 30 years’ experience, chats as he paces the floor.

He works alongside Mark Hamilton, a Showstop Procedure course leader and experienced crowd safety professional in his own right. Together, they aim to educate event professionals who are eager to learn and improve safety in venues and across live event sites.

Allen is talking with ease – and no notes.

He has lived and breathed so many scenarios where he has had to perform a Showstop

STEVE ALLEN (he/him) www.olympuscrew.co.uk n 51

SHOWSTOP

MARK HAMILTON (he/him) dog”. Therefore, to avoid any confrontation and misunderstandings, compliance and non-compliance should be determined in the planning phases of a live event and reinforced so there is zero ambiguity. Why? Because poor communication equals a delay in response and seconds can mean the difference between life and death.

“Many venues and organisers will have a Showstop Procedure but the problem is it might not be tested or it’s never talked about,” continues Allen. “Multiple shows could go through a venue but a showstop may never be raised as an agenda item so it can carry a degree of misunderstanding in terms of the way it should be implemented, who should be involved, and the leadership required.”

CLEAR LINES OF COMMS

Allen says that since Astroworld and the fatal crowd crush that saw ten deaths and more than 300 people injured, there is a greater awareness of the Showstop Procedure and critical safety initiatives. But the control mechanism is often over engineered.

The course aims to deconstruct the procedure and break it down to something that is simple and straightforward. Comprised of clear lines of comms, clear lines of law, clear rules, and responsibilities so that everyone in a tactical position – anyone in command of resources – knows exactly what to do and what it means to them.

That person needs to be a decisive individual, someone confident in their role, a good communicator and professional, because they are an extension of a control room, and that individual is the difference between there being a tragedy and averting one.

chain of command or any safety critical measures that they feel are needed to enhance public safety.

Allen explains: “Imagine if you’re in court because someone has died and you have their family there, and the media. You’ve got the lawyers, the jury, and the judge.

You’re the one who’s ultimately liable and responsible, and yet you’re going to turn around and say in front of the families, ‘Oh, yeah, the artist put up a bit of a stink so we didn’t do the Showstop Procedure’. That’s when the lawyers will turn around to you and say, ‘But you have stated categorically in your documentation that health and safety is your number one priority’.

“You cannot say you didn’t want to carry out a showstop because you didn’t want to upset someone. That is no defence.”

Allen adds: “Also, you can have this normalcy bias whereby people adopt a kind of ‘it won’t happen here’ attitude, a ‘We’ve got a safe event and we’ve got everything lined up’. They have policies, procedures, contractors, and tabletop exercises. That’s your main parachute that can fail, which is why you have your reserve parachute, so you don’t impact the ground. This is what a Showstop Procedure is. It’s that, ‘just in case’. Hopefully, you don’t have to use it, but if you do, you’ve got the procedure locked down.”

EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBLE

So far, more than 650 people have taken the course; a mere fraction of the number who need to be trained given the number

H&S IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY

Both Allen and Hamilton state that how to safely orchestrate and perform a Showstop Procedure should be the focus of every event professional who has decision-making responsibilities.

The training workshop is based on realistic situations. For example, attendees are actively encouraged to challenge promoters, artists, and management who disagree with any

52 n www.olympuscrew.co.uk

SOLIHULL COURSE ATTENDEES

of live events, festivals, venues, and event professionals there are.

Therefore, this month, Allen and Hamilton are pleased to reveal that the course is being launched online, introducing event professionals to Showstop Procedure training. It takes place over half a day and outlines Showstop Procedure basics. This new online module gives remote access to a four-hour Showstop Procedure overview, which is internationally-accredited and CPD accredited prior learning (APL).

Hamilton says: “The course encourages collaboration and cooperation, and a big part of that is allowing people to give their opinions and honest feedback.

“We’ve had some of the best people in the business take part in the course and comment on the course’s structure and how it’s delivered. That’s allowed us to change it as we go along. But given that one of the key parts of this course is about foreseeability, and foreseeability comes from knowing what happened before, knowing what and when things happen in the world, that has a big influence on our framework.

“If people who attend the course have some experience that they think should be included as part of the conversation, then it will only have a positive effect and we’re all ears. This is how our industry should be.

“Our course is not just about giving somebody the tools to do the job, it’s about making changes so people are wellinformed, because we’re all responsible for safety,” Hamilton concludes.

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MARQUEES Alternative Stretch Tents Building 15, Gateway 1000, A1 (M) jct 7, Stevenage, SG1 2FP T: 01920 830256 E: info@alternative-stretch.co.uk Fews Marquees Chessgrove Park, Ditchford Bank Road, Hanbury, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 4HS T: 01527 821789 E: info@fews.co.uk W: www.fewsmarquees.co.uk Instant Marquees T: 01840 213063 W: www.instantmarquees.co.uk Mahood Marquees Ltd 8 Lords Fold, Rainford, Saint Helens WA11 8HP T: 01744 882 079 W: https://mahoodmarquees.com/ TT Tents Ltd North Waltham Business Centre, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG25 2DJ T: 01256 397 551 E: sales@tttents.co.uk Tentickle Stretch Tents UK Ltd Langley Brook Business Park, Unit 3B London Rd, Tamworth, B78 2BP T: 0121 7401385 M: 07826 843099 E: jorg@tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk W: www.tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk Tentstyle T: 01403 333135 E: enquiries@tentstyle.co.uk W: www.tentstyle.co.uk

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CONNECTIONS Top Cat Big Tops Tents & Marquees Ltd The Old Stable Yard, Gasworks Ln, Achynlleth, SY20 8BY T: 01654 700030 E: info@topcatbigtops.co.uk W: www.topcatbigtops.co.uk Ziggu Marquees Dutton Green, Little Stanney, Chester, CH2 4SA T: 01244722739 W: www.ziggumarquees.com E: hello@ziggumarquees.com MARQUEES ACCESSORIES Opas Southern Ltd Enterprise House, St Lawrence Avenue Worthing, West Sussex BN14 7JH E: sales@opas.co.uk Free Phone: 0845 1300 477 W: www.opas.co.uk MEDICAL SERVICES Codeblue Medical UK Head Office – Codeblue, Grove Farm, Lane End Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 3NR T: 0203 835 8486 W: http://www.codebluemedical.co.uk : https://www.linkedin.com/company/codeblue-uk/ : https://www.facebook.com/CodeblueUK Enhanced Care Services Unit H9, Adanac Park, Adanac Dr, Nursling, Southampton SO16 0BT T: 02380 201561 E: admin@enhancedcareservices.co.uk W: www.enhancedcareservices.co.uk First Aid Cover Ltd T: 020 8875 5758 E: enquiries@firstaidcover.co.uk W: www.firstaidcover.co.uk Location Medical Services Ltd The Medical Centre, Shepperton Studios, Studio Road, Shepperton, Middx, TW17 0QD T: 0870 750 9898 E: mail@locationmedical.com W: www.locationmedical.com Medirek 8 Primrose Place, Portsmouth Road, Godalming Surrey, GU7 2JW safety and medical T: 07776 128 409 E: ryan.soper@medirek.co.uk W: www.medirek.co.uk MET Medical Ltd T: 0203 627 9042 E: info@met-medical.co.uk W: www.met-medical.co.uk

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NOISE MANAGEMENT Siderise Group Forge Industrial Estate CF34 0AH T: 01656 730833 E: enquiries@siderise.com W: www.siderise.com PARKING Wise Parking T: 03301 334522 E: info@wiseparking.co.uk W: www.wiseparking.co.uk PLANT HIRE Charles Wilson 86 High Street, Harpenden, AL5 2SP T: 0800 458 5701 E: instanthire@cwplant.co.uk W: www.cwplant.co.uk PORTABLE TOILET HIRE A Star All Solutions T: 02477 350679 W: www.astarallsolutions.co.uk Excloosive Event Hire Field House, Bromley Park, Abbots Bromley Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 3AH T: 01283 575 749 M: 07778 473 064 E: info@excloosive.co.uk Four Jays Group Barling Farm, East Sutton, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3DX T: 01622 843135 E: enquiries@fourjays. co.uk W: www.fourjays.co.uk LOOS FOR DOs Ltd Bakers Court, Forge Road, Kingsley, Hampshire GU35 9NZ T: 01420 588 355 E: info@loos.co.uk W: www.loos.co.uk Just Loos Paddock Barn, Manor Farm, Itchen Stoke, Hampshire, SO24 0QT T: 01962 867808 E: office@justloos.com W: www.JustLoos.com Ontrax Rentals Elmwood Farm, Bampton OX18 2PL, England E: hello@ontraxrentals.com W: www.ontraxrentals.com Site Event The Depot, The Avenue, Lasham, Hampshire GU34 5SU T: 01256 384 134 E: event@site-equip.co.uk W: www.site-equip.co.uk

Sponsored by the Falcon Team

CONNECTIONS

VACANT EVENT HIRE

Vacant Event Hire Unit C White Oak Technology Park, London Road, Swanley, Kent BR8 7AG T: 01322 761 117 M: 07960 301178 E: info@vacant.events W: https://vacant.events/

Power Revolution 23C Shepherds Grove Ind Est, Stanton, Bury St Edmunds, IP31 2AR T: 01359 256 265 E: info@power-revolution.co.uk W: www.power-revolution.co.uk

Zoo Events Group Ltd Stockton Dairy, Stockton, Warminster, BA12 OSQ T: 01258 840233 E: info@zooeventsgroup.co.uk W: www.zooeventsgroup.co.uk

Robert Blezard Electrical Contractor Ltd Unit 5, Fishes & Peggy Hill Fm, Clitheroe BB7 3BY T: 01200 777 666 E: hello@robertblezard.co.uk W: www.robertblezard.co.uk

POWER & GENERATORS

Stuart Power Stuart House, Hargham Road, Shropham, Norfolk, NR17 1DT T: 01953 454540 E: enquiries@stuartpower.co.uk W: www.stuartpower.co.uk

ATD Electrical Unit 93, Greenway Business Centre, Greenway, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5QE T: 01279 507890 E: office@atdelectrical.com W: www.atdelectrical.com Festival Power Ltd Unit 2, Temple Bridge Business Park, Bristol, BS39 5AA E: info@festivalpower.co.uk W: www.festivalpower.co.uk

The Technical Department 14 Henley Business Park, Pirbright Road, Normandy, Surrey, GU3 2DX T: +44 (0)1483 238 050 or +44 (0)7850 367 917 E: chantal@thetechnicaldepartment.com

Gofer Ltd Unit 7 Arkwright Road, Hadleigh Road Ind. Est, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 0UB T: 01473 282530 E: info@gofer.co.uk W: www.gofer.co.uk

Wernick Power Solutions Joseph House, Northgate Way, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 8ST T: 03334 001 247 E: power@wernick.co.uk W: www.wernick.co.uk/power : twitter.com/WernickGroup : www.linkedin.com/company/wernickgroup

IDE Systems T: 01543 574 111 E: enquiries@idesystems.co.uk W: www.idesystems.co.uk Head Office & Manufacturing Centre Unit 3, Swaffield Park Hyssop Close, Cannock Staffordshire, WS11 7FU United Kingdom Instagrid UK Ltd Silent, Clean and Portable Power T: 07939 315074 E: andy.barnby@instagrid.co Newburn Power Rental Limited Unit 36 Lidgate Crescent, Langthwaite Business Park, South Kirkby, Pontefract, WF9 3NR T: 0845 077 6693 E: info@npr-uk.com Pearce Hire Unit 8-9 Reynolds Industrial Park, Stevern way, Peterborough PE1 5EL T: 01733 554950 E: info@pearcehire.co.uk W: www.pearchire.co.uk

Sponsored by the Falcon Team

XLE Event Services T: 01789 224227 E: info@xle.co.uk W: www.xle.co.uk : XLeventservices : @xle_events : www.linkedin.com/company/xleeventservices/ PRINTERS UK Flyers Suite 210, Victory House, Somers Road, North Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 1PJ T: 023 9229 3050 E: sales@ukflyers.com W: www.ukflyers.com PROJECTION EMF Technology LTD Projection Mapping, Water Screens, Flame Effects, Lighting, Mains Distribution T: 020 8003 3344 E: info@emftechnology.co.uk W: www.emftechnology.co.uk

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CONNECTIONS RADIO COMMUNICATIONS 2CL Communications Ltd Unit C, Woodside Trade Centre, Parnham Drive, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 4NU T: 0800 389 2278 E: contact@2cl.co.uk W: www.2cl.co.uk DCRS Edison Road, St.Ives, Cambs, PE27 3LH T: 0800 043 2688 E: sales@dcrs.co.uk W: www.dcrs.co.uk

SAFEGUARDING X2Consult Safeguarding & Child Protection T: 01622 278702 E: Tom@x2consult.co.uk W: www.x2consult.co.uk SAFETY TRAINING Acumen Safety T: 07557 669523 E: training@acumensafety.co.uk W: https://acumensafety.co.uk/ SCAFFOLD SYSTEM & TRUSS STRUCTURES

Light of Night T: 0203 189 2679 E: info@lightofnight.co.uk W: www.lightofnight.co.uk Marathon Communications Ltd Oakhurst Business Park, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 9RT T: 01403 473 858 E: info@marathoncomms.co.uk W: www.marathoncomms.co.uk : uk.linkedin.com/company/marathoncomms : www.facebook.com/marathoncomms : instagram.com/marathoncomms : x.com/marathoncomms

Overlay Events Ltd 54 Oxford Road, Uxbridge UB9 4DN T: 01895 813627 E: info@overlayevents.com W: www.overlayevents.com SRG Structures Oldbury Lane, Bristol, BS35 1RE T: 0117 911 4034 E: info@srg-structures.com W: www.srg-structures.com SEATING Ace Seating Hire T: 01832 279333 E: info@aceseating.co.uk W: www.aceseating.co.uk

RECYCLING Falcon Cleaning Chipping Hall Farm, Chipping, Herts SG9 0DP W3W: https://w3w.co/bless.loses.typed E: info@falconteam.co.uk W: www.falconteam.co.uk REFRIGERATED STRUCTURES Dawsongroup tcs Export Drive, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire NG17 6AF Dawsongroup | tcs T: 01623 518538 E: info@dgtcs.co.uk W: https://dgtcs.co.uk/inflatable-cold-rooms/ RENTAL EQUIPMENT Sunbelt Rentals T: 0330 053 2348 E: events@sunbeltrentals.co.uk W: www.sunbeltrentals.co.uk/sectors/events REUSABLE CUPS Re-uz UK Less is now Limited Unit 1A Walrow Industrial Estate, Commerce Way, Highbridge TA9 4AG T: 01278 238390 E: info.uk@reuz.com W: www.re-uz.com & www.green-goblet.com

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SECURITY Alliance Events Ltd Ventura Park Road, Tamworth, England, B78 3HL T: 02034 885480 E: admin@alliancemanagementgroup.co.uk W: www.alliancemanagementgroup.co.uk Anubis Group T: 0800 121 6576 E: sales@anubis-security.com/ recruitment@anubis-security.com W: www.anubis-security.com ESM Operations T: +44 7355 094162 E: info@esmoperations.com W: www.esmoperations.com Light of Night T: 0203 189 2679 E: info@lightofnight.co.uk W: www.lightofnight.co.uk Manchett Security The Tack Room, Lorkins Farm, Conway’s Road, Orsett, Grays, Essex, RM16 3E T: 01375 470 022 E: info@manchett-security.com W: www.manchett-security.com : @ManchettSec – : @ManchettSec – : ManchettGroup

Sponsored by the Falcon Team

CONNECTIONS McKenzie Arnold Group E: joanna.white@mckenziearnold.com T: 01376 350 999 M: 07701 048 69 Ministry Protective T: 0800 2335518 E: info@ministryprotective.com W: www.ministryprotective.com New Dawn Security and Training Unit 10 Dunley Hill Court, Ranmore Common, Effingham RH5 6SX T: 01306779436 E: Events@ndst.ltd W: www.ndst.ltd Newman Event Services Ltd Crowd Management, Festival & Event Security/Stewarding.

Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham, Oxfordshire, OX15 4FF T: 01295 722844 E: enquiries@newmanevents.co.uk W: www.newmanevents.co.uk Right Guard Security Experts in Crowd Management and Event Security T: 01227 464588 E: info@rightguard.co.uk W: www.rightguard.co.uk Showsec Regent House, 16 West Walk, Leicester, LE1 7NA T: 0116 204 3333 E: sales@showsec.co.uk W: showsec.co.uk : showsec.uk : showsec : company/Showsec Trojan Security Unit B7 Loughton Seedbed Centre Langston Road, Loughton IG10 3TQ T: 0330 113 9966 E: info@trojansecurityuk.co.uk W: www.trojansecurityuk.co.uk : @trojan-security-uk-ltd : @TrojanLondon : @trojan_security_UK SET & SCENERY CONSTRUCTION Staged Events Ltd Meadow View, Newnham Lane, Old Basing, Hampshire, RG24 7AU T: 01256578055 E: info@stagedevents.com W: www.stagedevents.com SHOWERS Zoo Events Group Ltd Stockton Dairy, Stockton, Warminster, BA12 OSQ T: 01258 840233 E: info@zooeventsgroup.co.uk W: www.zooeventsgroup.co.uk

Sponsored by the Falcon Team

SITE SUPPLIES Concept Products Ltd 10 Cary Court, Somerton Business Park, Somerton, TA11 6SB T: 01458 274020 E: ben@conceptproductsltd.co.uk W: www.conceptproductsltd.co.uk SOUND, LIGHTING, VISION, POWER AND SCENIC SPH Event Production LTD Unit 7, Upper Wensleydale Business Park, Brunt Acres Road, Hawes, DL8 3UZ T: 01535 442084 W: www.event-production.live STAGING & RIGGING IPS (Impact Production Services) 29 Mount Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1LS T: 01908 657950 E: enquiries@ips.co.uk W: www.ips.co.uk Rigger.co.uk T: 0333 772 0120 E: contact@rigger.co.uk W: www.rigger.co.uk Serious Stages Ltd Tor Hill Works, Dulcote, Wells, Somerset, BA5 3NT T: 01749 899 188 W: www.stages.co.uk E: info@stages.co.uk The Stage Bus 19 Prestwood Road, Birmingham, B29 5EB T: 0121 585 9264 E: info@thestagebus.com W: www.thestagebus.com SRG Structures Oldbury Lane, Bristol, BS35 1RE T: 0117 911 4034 E: info@srg-structures.com W: www.srg-structures.com Steeldeck Rentals Unit 58, T. Marchant Estate, 42 - 72 Verney Rd, London SE16 3DH T: +44 (0)207 833 2031 E: rentals@steeldeck.co.uk W: www.steeldeck.co.uk STAND DESIGN & BUILD Saward Marketing and Events T: 07788 660996 E: admin@saward-me.com W: https://saward-me.com/

www.falconteam.co.uk n 63

CONNECTIONS TEMPORARY BRIDGES

Tentickle Stretch Tents UK Ltd Langley Brook Business Park, Unit 3B London Rd, Tamworth, B78 2BP T: 0121 7401385 M: 07826 843099 E: jorg@tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk W: www.tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk

Mitchell Bridges Limited London Road, Kings Worthy, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 7QN T: 01962 885040 M: 07768630373 E: chris@mitchellbridges.com W: www.mitchellbridges.com

The Dome Company T: 07876673354 E: info@thedomecompany.co.uk W: www.thedomecompany.co.uk

TEMPORARY ROADWAYS Cap Trac Limited The Stables, Loke Farm, Weston Longville, Norwich, NR9 5LG T: 01603 880448 E: info@captrac.co.uk W: www.captrac.co.uk

TT Tents Ltd North Waltham Business Centre, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG25 2DJ T: 01256 397 551 E: sales@tttents.co.uk W: www.tttents.co.uk

TEMPORARY STRUCTURES Fews Marquees Chessgrove Park, Ditchford Bank Road, Hanbury, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 4HS T: 01527 821789 E: info@fews.co.uk W: www.fewsmarquees.co.uk Losberger De Boer Castle Park, Boundary Road, Brackley, Northamptonshire, NN13 7ES T: 01280 846500 E: sales.uk@losbergerdeboer.com W: www.losbergerdeboer.com/uk Media Structures : Imagine, Create, Deliver Green Lane Sawmills, Outwood, Surrey, RH1 5QP T: 0203 781 7772 E: lance.baker@mediastructures.co.uk W: www.mediastructures.uk NEPTUNUS Ltd Cob Drive, Swan Valley, Northampton NN4 9BB T: 01604 593820 E: sales@neptunus.co.uk W: www.neptunus.co.uk Stunning Tents Creative House, Station Road, Theale RG7 4PD T: 0118 380 5590 E: team@stunningtents.co.uk W: www.Stunningtents.co.uk Technical Overlay by Visions Unit 2 Thames Valley Connect, Western Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1QP T: 01189 358121 E: info@visionsgroup.co.uk W: www.technicaloverlay.co.uk

64 n www.falconteam.co.uk

WH Silverbacks Unit 26, Oakfield Road, Woolsbridge Industrial Park, Dorset BH21 6FE T: 01202 096957 E: info@silverbacks.co.uk W: https://whsilverbacks.co.uk/

TRACKWAY TRACKWAY

Worldwide Structures Ltd Ayrshire Farm, Sharcott, Pewsey, SN9 5PA T: 01672 565 060 / +44 (0) 7875 027369 E: enquiries@w-sl.com W: www.worldwidestructures.com

All Weather Access Ltd County Farm, High Roding, Dunmow, Essex CM6 1NQ T: 01371 700510 M: 07801 751137 E: henry@all-weatheraccess.co.uk W: www.all-weatheraccess.co.uk GT Trax T: 01487 823344 E: info@gttrax.co.uk W: www.gttrax.co.uk TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT Event Traffic Control Ltd Baldersby Gardens, Ripon Road, Baldersby, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4PS T: 08000 246 800 E: info@eventtc.com W: www.eventtc.com Carbonite Traffic Solutions T: 020 3567 1479 E: enquiries@carbonitetraffic.co.uk W: www.carbonitetraffic.co.uk

Sponsored by the Falcon Team

CONNECTIONS CSP (The Combined Services Provider) Unit 1, Abloy House, Hatters Lane, Watford, WD18 8AJ T: 020 8900 2405 E: sales@gotocsp.com W: gotocsp.com Right Guard Traffic Management Event Traffic Management CSAS Accredited Traffic Officers Car Parking • Event Signage T: 01227 464588 E: info@rightguard.co.uk W: www.rightguard.co.uk WASTE MANAGEMENT Falcon Cleaning Chipping Hall Farm, Chipping, Herts, SG9 0DP W3W: https://w3w.co/bless.loses.typed E: info@falconteam.co.uk W: www.falconteam.co.uk WATER & PLUMBING SERVICES MTD (UK & Ireland) Ltd Unit 1 Westerngate, Hillmead Enterprise Park, Langley Road, Swindon, SN5 5WN T: 01264 773 818 E: sales.uk@mtd.net W: www.mtd.net

T.E.S.S Ltd W: www.tess-ltd.co.uk E: info@tess-ltd.co.uk T: 01332 850 860 Wicked Event Water Services Kevin: 07909 771996 E: info@wickedeventwaterservices.com W: www.wews.biz WIFI, INTERNET & STREAMING attend2IT Unit 6-8 Park Farm Industrial Estate, Buntingford T: 01763 877 477 W: https://attend2it.co.uk/ Fli-Fi Ltd UK Wide T: 020 3778 0454 E: enquiries@fli-fi.com W: www.fli-fi.com SimpliWifi Unit 13, Leominster Enterprise Park, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 0LX T: 0800 298 9434 E: hello@simpliwifi.agency W: https://simpliwifi.agency

Online Geographical Directory www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

PUT YOUR BUSINESS ON THE MAP. Sponsored by the Falcon Team

www.falconteam.co.uk n 65

NEXT ISSUE

Featured in our next issue...

Editor Caroline Clift caroline@standoutmagazine.co.uk Advertising manager Jen Crisp jen@standoutmagazine.co.uk Account manager Sarah Bourne sarah@standoutmagazine.co.uk Marketing executive Katie Goldsmith marketing@standoutmagazine.co.uk Design and production Neil Hepden Jemma Heslop Emma Hickman Colin Swaffer studio@standoutmagazine.co.uk

FEELING THE PRESSURE

We delve deep into the not so glamorous – but essential – world of toilets and showers on event sites and look at sanitation best practice

Credit control Janine Walmsley creditcontrol@standoutmagazine.co.uk Managing director Neil Fagg neil@standoutmagazine.co.uk T: 01795 509101 CEO John Denning StandOut Multimedia Limited, 10 The Metford, Evegate Business Park, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent, TN25 6SX T: 01795 509113 www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

Image: © Matt Eachus/The Manc Photographer

NEWS FROM THE FIELDS

Operational developments, festival launches, and business concerns. Event professionals discuss the festival market, site changes, and new moves

No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical or physical – without express prior permission and written consent of the publisher. Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed envelope. Manuscripts should be typewritten. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic, belongs to StandOut Multimedia Limited. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the views of the Publisher. The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement. Information about products and services featured within the editorial content does not imply an endorsement by StandOut magazine. © 2026. StandOut Multimedia Limited, 10 The Metford, Evegate Business Park, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent, TN25 6SX

RESPECTING BOUNDARIES

Barrier and fencing experts discuss the upcoming event season – what’s hot, the contract wins, the latest trends, and the new products on the market

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