Over the past month I have been planning for an international film festival, worked onsite at an #OfficeRocksNE networking event, overseen marketing activity for various charity events, as well as seeking out new venues. Venue finding is such an important element, the clients we work with expect the best and we deliver. If Carlsberg did venue searches…
My day usually starts at around 8.45am. I begin by checking through emails and tasks via our project management software Basecamp. I have quite a task list to get through today. Firstly, I need to send out some enquires to suppliers. I am researching award trophies for the aforementioned Newcastle Film Festival. It is a blockbuster of an event which was dreamed up a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away by the inspirational Jacqui Miller-Charlton, and trust me it’s going to be out of this world. The date for your diary is 29th March – 1st April 2018. I’m so excited for you to see what the team has been planning and you can find out more on the website.Once I find a supplier suitable for the job of creating awards to rival the Oscars, we’ll send a proposal to the client to choose from with our recommendations.
Next, I pop my marketing hat on (it’s sparkly – naturally). We are currently recruiting for a couple of new positions, Event Coordinator and a maternity cover Event Manager, so I’m making plans on how we will advertise. I take time to create content that can be used over social media and in a newsletter to the team of lovely volunteers and event staff we’ve worked with on previous events. (Deadline is Wednesday 8 November if you are on the hunt)
LUNCHTIME!
Morning over and it’s lunchtime. We are based at Hoult’s Yard, so enter – Yard Food. Their ‘sammiches’ and soups are the hearty fuel that fires the BeaconHouse team engines.
2pm: This afternoon I’m looking at a newsletter for a charity event we produce with The Chronicle Sunshine Fund, Celebrity Question of Sport,. It will be held at the Hilton NewcastleGateshead on the 30th November with some pretty special guests. I create some copy for the newsletter, edit a template that my colleague Bex, the Event Manager on that project had already started, then send over for final approval. We’ll schedule the newsletter to hit that afternoon or for mid-morning the following day as we are targeting a list of business emails.
Tonight we have the #Dynamites17 Award Dinner, my colleagues have been onsite at the venue all day. I’m heading over at 4pm to lend a hand. I’ll be taking over the client’s social media to live tweet the winners. Before leaving the office, I flag any emails that need a response tomorrow and update Basecamp, satisfyingly ticking off tasks completed, and updating any outstanding duties.
Upon arriving at Newcastle Civic Centre I get stuck in with the team, adding the finishing touches to the tables, making sure each setting is perfect. Then we take a moment check off all jobs on the event schedule led by Clare who is running this event. Next up it’s the ever-so-glamorous quick change in the loos to be ready to receive sponsors, award shortlistees and guests to the event.
Once the champagne reception is complete and guests are sitting, the first accolades are awarded. I observe the action in the room and provide commentary on twitter and engage with conversations occurring on the event hashtag. Twitter is excitingly busy with chat regarding the hosts spectacular on-brand orange suit! Being super organised, I have all sponsor and potential winner tags ready to go as it’s essential we tag the correct accounts in a timely manner. Dinner is served to the guests and the events team re-group upstairs for some slightly less fancy fare. At this point I’m able to excuse myself, while my colleagues continue providing onsite management and merriment until the early hours.
Working in events isn’t for everyone. You need to gear up for seriously hard work, have a level head, expect the unexpected, don some comfy heels…but wow… it also has its perks, seeing your client smile after a year of preparation, working in amazing spaces, learning new skills every day, being part of a team that really cares about what they do, NEVER having the Sunday blues, and the FREE food helps! It certainly is the job of a lifetime for a to do list loving type like me.