Putting Ideas into Practice

From delivering intense high profile events, live shows, dealing with demanding clients and productions to keeping fit, juggling family and having a busy social life; Cassidy Knowles shares how she keeps all the plates spinning whilst maintaining a balanced mindset in the fast moving industry of events.

Somewhat identifying with the motto “Work Hard, Play Hard” Cassidy manages to artfully turn work into a nurturing and fun workplace. “You have to love what you do”. Apart from that, its all about allowing time for planning and staying curious. The more you understand the more you feel in control. You can make time in the day for the things that are important to you and that you love. Cassidy will share her insights on planning strategies, time management, and some of the inspiration she has gained along the way from mentors, books, podcasts and more.

Joining Cassidy Knowles, Aarron supports the Executive Office at Chorus and assists across projects. Aarron will share his perspective, tips and tricks for juggling shifting priorities from a dynamic role and other responsibilities in work and life. Aarron also shares his experience with using alternative therapies such as Mindfulness and Reiki to help stay on top of his game.

Across our venues, Lime Venue Portfolio has been part of a massive rethink around how food at events affects people, society, community and planet. Starting with our award-winning Beyond Food reports, which are spurring a new way of approaching eco-eating, we’re now evolving this thinking towards mental health.

Jo Austin will introduce lunch, and how just by eating today, delegates are making a positive contribution to the plant as well as their own mental wellbeing, and those around them.

Karen Small, Director and Meetings & Events specialist at research consultancy BVA BDRC, discusses recent research from her M&E State of the Nation report. She’ll be sharing insights and data from an opinion panel conducted amongst senior leaders throughout the M&E sector along with Event Planner survey feedback on well-being in the hospitality sector.

Bringing extra value, she will be joined in a panel session by Gavin Percy, Mental Health Expert and Managing Director at Winning Edges,  Jo Austin, Sales Director at Lime Venue Portfolio & The Venues Collection and MIA Board member and Rebecca Hartley, CEO Saving Grace Events.

This is the story all about how my life got flip turned upside down…oh no, wait, that’s the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air!

This is a story about one Event Manager’s journey from being unlikely to finish high school to navigating the world of the Tech industry. Becky will cover the highs and lows of trying to get into the event industry, what happens when you think you’ve got it all figured out and how quickly you can go from running an event with the Queen to crash landing your career and walking out on Santa Claus. From imposter syndrome to developing your skills and controlling those demons, like most people’s stories, it’s a rollercoaster.