It takes a special kind of human to work in the events industry!
I always knew that it takes a special kind of person to work in events – not everyone can handle long days, late nights, high intensity, and pressure, let alone enjoy and thrive on them.
After close to 20 years in the industry in many different roles (and long days and late nights), there is one thing that really stands out for me as a common quality amongst event peeps: the willingness to share and support one another. There is a common bond amongst our people - we are a family, a community.
When I initiated the weekly Bounce Back chats for the events industry in April 2020 after COVID shut down events, this bond and common desire to share and support one another was highlighted even more for me. I often found myself sitting quietly after a Friday chat with a tear in my eye feeling sad about the current circumstances but also very blessed to work in such a supportive and connected industry full of motivating and resilient people.
I am constantly inspired by the people I meet each day in the events industry and I love that I get to spend my days coaching and supporting these people that indirectly coach and support me!
Just a few examples of event organisers I’ve worked closely with in recent times include
Greg Donovan, organiser of the world’s most remote desert music festival, the Birdsville Big Red Bash, who is resilient, tenacious, hard-working, collaborative, and a risk taker. I am in constant awe of how Greg just keeps on keeping on, and, despite the challenges he is facing, he is always there to lend a hand and support others.
Kath Stevens, the founder of Kingaroy BaconFest, is a calm and level-headed person who understands the power of brand and PR to make a successful event. Her creativity, and constant dedication to the brand and her team is outstanding.
Pam Burley from Warwick’s Jumpers and Jazz and Kim Boyter from Goomeri Pumpkin Festival are volunteer event coordinators who are passionate, hard-working, and committed to their communities. Both are the epitome of a local community superstar, contributing hours upon hours to their event to support their community and destination (and most of the time with little to no budget!).
Council staff working in events such as Nicole Pietruschka, Events & Festivals Officer at Macedon Ranges Shire Council, who is caring and supportive, and works hard to make sure local event organisers have the support they need to be successful. These staff enable our events to happen, and we could not do it without them!
Outback event committees who have so many extra challenges to contend with when planning an event. Dale McIver of Alice Event Management in Alice Springs who supported the Rotary Alice Springs Henley on Todd Regatta (along with many amazing outback festivals and events) works hard on partnerships and creative strategies to make things work. This showcases that there is always a way to get things done.
There are hundreds of people that I could individually mention here, but this list is validation of the special humans that work in our industry. Such people inspire me every day, watching them overcome challenges and push down boundaries to deliver successful events for regional and rural communities.
So, to my events family: Thank you for allowing me into your events and into your lives. Thank you for your inspiration, your friendship, and your commitment to our industry.
Please keep doing what you do and remember, you are making a difference.
We’ve briefly interviewed several of these event legends about their learnings from COVID; the silver linings for their event, or for events in their region.