ADVERTISING FEATURE
Meet the event expert From planning to execution, these experts have your event covered
DAVID WINTERFLOOD
KAT HOWARD
GREAT BRITISH GLAMPING 07919 021912 www.greatbritishglamping.com
THE CREATION STATION 07817 955997 www.thecreationstation. co.uk What’s the best part of your job? I love my job running award-winning arts & crafts parties, classes and events for children, but I love organising parties the most. Working with families and tailoring each party to suit the birthday child and seeing how much the children enjoy the activities is the best bit. It’s great seeing the children getting so absorbed in what they are making, even the children who say they’re ‘no good’ at art find that they can create something unique and amazing, it makes my job so satisfying. What is the proudest moment in your career so far? I’ve recently been awarded a Gold Standard by the Children’s Activities Association, it’s great to know that I am recognised as providing safe children’s activities. What’s the largest event you’ve had to organise so far? One of the largest was a community event where over 200 children and adults enjoyed Halloween themed arts & crafts activities, it was very busy but lots of fun!
Where is your favourite venue? Euridge Manor is stunning; a perfect blend of theatrical grandeur and a welcoming sense of peace and quiet. We’re fortunate to work there on weddings and parties, and it’s certainly a special place to be. What’s the most bizarre request you’ve had? For a corporate party at Watergate Bay, Cornwall, I put an inflatable pub on the beach – a huge walk-in structure complete with two entrances, bespoke pub signage, fully stocked bar, with the sand under your feet! We fed power from the RNLI Lifeguard hut and everything had to be taken to site via 4x4 pick-up – certainly a memorable occasion and one I’d love to do again! What are the trends you’re seeing in events? Definitely an increase in the multi-day event, be that a wedding, corporate event or party. Having guests experience an overnight stay is a great way of extending the fun whilst enabling different flavours or styles of theme each day. What is your favourite part of the job? Simple – making people happy. If I do my job correctly then people will be smiling and have a brilliant time.
VICKY GARDNER
DIRECTOR, ZIABIA EVENTS CONSULTANCY 01225 839993; www.ziabia.co.uk What key bit of advice would you give to a client? Think about your ‘why’ when you start the planning process for your conference or event. Why are you doing the event, who is your target audience, what do you want to achieve, when do you want it to take place? Then the how to approach will follow. Why should companies use an external event agency? Whether it is an internal conference for employees or your clients, organising and managing an event puts a strain on anyone arranging it on top of their day job. Outsourcing the extra workload to people that have knowledge of events and will achieve the tasks in a time effective way leaves your team free to concentrate on messaging and ROI. What was the quickest turnaround for an event? Three weeks from brief through to delivery for a two-day conference with overnight accommodation and group dinner, including Q&A with Alan Shearer and football activities – it was for a company sponsoring the Euros a few years ago! We found the venue, organised all logistics and were onsite for our client.
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 95