Can you share a bit about your background and where you are from? 

Background wise, I was born in Putney, London and grew up in the Cotswolds, near Cheltenham. I graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in Psychology, where I focused on mental health psychology. 

Following graduation, I held a multifaceted role at Apex2100 Academy in France, combining pastoral care, strength and conditioning coaching, and support in athlete performance development, along with duties as a social media and marketing intern. This role was cut short due to the pandemic, so I returned to the UK and found a role in hospitality while searching for a position in the events space which eventually led to my role at OpenRoom.

What motivated you to work in the events industry? 

For me, the events industry mirrors hospitality in many ways in that both are client facing and relationship based. Working in Human Healthcare also engages my interest in human health, psychology, and continued education. These aspects, along with the rewarding part of my role supporting clients to grow and improve, drew me in. The fast-paced environment and the chance to travel were also attractive, making my role exciting while helping me to learn and excel under pressure, even in chaotic and stressful situations.

Add to all of this, the incredible energy of a young team, which makes my work that much more enjoyable. 

What is your current role and what does it involve day to day? 

In my capacity as a Group Account Manager, my focus is on human healthcare events, notably in dentistry across the US, UK, EMEA and APAC regions. My daily activities range from data compilation to outreach for events, handling content programmes, and managing logistics on-site. This can extend to even the finer details like handling accommodation and dietary requirements! Another crucial part of my routine includes client follow-ups - checking in, gauging their experiences, making sure they are happy pre-, during and post event, and tailoring our approaches to suit.

Having been with OpenRoom Events since 2021, in what ways have you seen your shows and your ways of working evolve? 

Since 2021, we have become bigger and hold a strong presence in the sectors we work in. There are new events, while other shows are now twice yearly which is sometimes a bit of a marketing puzzle, but we make it work. Our events are larger than before, which brings a new set of challenges, responsibilities, and workload while ensuring we maintain the intimacy and value which our clients continue to appreciate. The good news is that our internal team has grown too, from 12 to around 18 to match our portfolio growth. 

What strategic approach are you going to be focusing on during 2024? 

This year, my strategic focus centres around researching new regions to take our format and building the foundations to pursue this in 2025. I continue to foster our partnerships, to improve and strengthen our relationships across the industry and ensure we are meeting the industry's needs. 

As a team, we are looking at the emphasis on sponsorship opportunities for our clients; expanding the horizons beyond the usual speaking slots, throwing in dinners, and increasing onsite marketing exposure opportunities, which will in turn amp up our brand and event visibility globally. 

Our strategy revolves around personalisation. The sales team tailor conversations with clients, to work with them to mould the opportunities to suit them and their objectives for the coming year. 

Talk to us about how data and digital transformation help your show. 

I believe that data can absolutely help us improve for the future. It's crucial for all teams to stay on top of it to ensure continuous development. The responsibility falls on everyone to strengthen our data and establish a close working relationship with the marketing team to utilise it effectively.

The integration of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems has been a fantastic addition; providing insights into email opens and other engagement, setting the stage for meaningful phone conversations and enhancing the human relationship element of the job.

In your day-to-day work, what aspects of your role do you find most fulfilling or enjoyable? 

The best bit of working here is the team culture, which I believe really brings out the strengths in each of us. We are a close-knit office and genuinely enjoy spending time with one another in and out of the office. Another aspect I enjoy is the healthy competition within the organisation. For instance, the sales team is split between buyers and suppliers, bringing friendly rivalry between the departments; which benefits all of us. We even have a bell in the office to ring when someone closes a sale, which is a fun way to bring a positive vibe and continue to be aware of the team's successes during the day-to-day. 

How have you found the process of integrating into CloserStill following the partnership announcement a year ago? 

Overall, the integration within the CloserStill network has been effortless and quite pleasant. One of the best things it brought with it was the social side - meeting new people in the shared spaces, doing yoga in the office with your colleagues, and the numerous games and quizzes that have become a regular thing. While our internal operations differ from the typical CSM events, this variance has opened exciting opportunities for collaboration and insights sharing, while also streamlining paths of working. 

How do you personally define and value growth, both professionally and personally? 

For me, growth is always the fastest at the start of your career. Despite the challenges posed by Covid at OpenRoom, where a shortage of personnel led to a slight baptism by fire for newbies like me, it provided an invaluable learning experience. From diving into my first event just three days into the job, the steep learning curve was something I have come to appreciate.

Post CSM integration, I can see that access to management training significantly contributes to expanding the team's skill set, supporting us, and maintaining a good overall performance. 

The natural development of the OpenRoom team and portfolio has enabled me to develop my sector knowledge, allowing me to specialise further in dentistry. Also, I appreciate a global perspective on development, relishing the uniqueness of each country in their approaches to the healthcare challenges faced by all global regions. 

How would you describe the team culture at OpenRoom and CloserStill? 

Both companies rely heavily on collaboration, and I find that this creates a very welcoming and supportive culture. Working in events you are naturally surrounded by energetic people and that’s infectious to be around. People really crave those in-person interactions and, personally, I find the in-office culture supports that. Sure, the events industry can be a bit stressful at times, but the fun we have, and the success of the events, make it worth it.

Beyond your professional role, what are some of your interests or hobbies outside of work that you're passionate about? 

I’m into my fitness and tend to head to the gym most mornings, which puts me into a good headspace for the day. Running and tennis has always been a big part of my life. Whenever I can, I escape to South Devon where my parents live, enjoying being out on/ or in the water wakeboarding or fishing. Now, I am actively training for a triathlon in June, so hopefully all the prep will pay off. Otherwise, I catch up with friends, am re-learning the saxophone, and am enjoying spending weekends watching the 6 Nations while it's on if not then premiership rugby. When I have a bit more time on my hands; I like horse riding, hiking and travelling which I tend to tie into trips away with our events.