Company & Role: Lloyds Banking Group, Events Manager

I'm currently working with the team on a growing national events programme. I've been involved at the cutting edge of the events moving to technology and now corporate events within the financial sector. In my current role, I create, plan and execute highly engaging and accessible educational events, collaborating with stakeholders who bring expertise and knowledge to deliver on a series of important tactics.

How many events do you organise every year?
100+

What types of events do you organise?
Networking, seminars and workshops

Have you/do you work with agencies? 
No

What are the award-winning qualities that you're looking for in an agency?
Collaboration, ability to adapt to change and creative engagement.

Company & Role: Age UK, Senior Events Organiser

I work in the events team at Age UK delivering fundraising and information events across London and the UK. I have worked there for three years, firstly in the Conferences Team arranging conferences for the Age UK network, and now I work in the Special Events team delivering fundraising and stewardship events. As mentioned, these past few months have meant that we have had to start creating virtual events and this has been an amazing time to learn about virtual events and how to create them.

How many events do you organise annually?
30

What types of events do you typically organise?
Concerts, conferences and awards evenings

Do you/have you worked with an event agency previously?
Yes

What are you looking for from an award-winning agency?
Adaptability and support! This year has been so tough for the industry and it has been amazing to watch how some have reacted so quickly to the circumstances, pivoting their events to virtual and working for the clients through this tought time. It’s also been incredible to witness agencies coming together as a ‘family’ and helping each other through. 

Company & Role: PwC, Events Manager

I’m an Event Manager at PwC, a professional services company. I have 15 years experience in leading a variety of events such as conferences, receptions, festivals and hospitality across the corporate, public and third sector. I’m now leading corporate, client facing events for PwC. This role emcompasses the full end to end service, providing bespoke solutions for our clients. I work across the breath of the firm, managing stakeholder relationships, suppliers, production and venues.

How many events do you organise annually?
80-100

What types of events do you typically organise?
Corporate, client facing events

Do you/have you worked with an event agency previously?
Yes

What are you looking for from an award-winning agency?
One that can be creative and have some fun with a brief but cognizant of the organisation’s objectives and proposed outcomes. I like to see agencies that can bring a brief to life and deliver an engaging event format for those attending. The best agencies I’ve seen are those that understand the organisation but can add value and perspective.

Company & Role: FINTECH Circle, Senior Conference Production & Sponsorship Director

James Hodgson is the Senior Conference Production & Sponsorship Director at FINTECH Circle, the leading global community for fintech entrepreneurs, investors and financial professionals. James manages FINTECH Circle’s partnerships, memberships and events programmes including conferences, fintech tours, pitching contests and in-person & online training and networking events. James has 12 years’ experience in conference production and sponsorship sales, working across multiple sectors. Prior to joining FINTEC Circle, James was the Co-Head of Events and Senior Content & Sponsorship Manager at AFME (Association for Financial Markets in Europe).

How many events do you organise annually? 
10-15

What types of events do you typically organise?
Conferences, tours, pitching events, webinars, training, roundtables, product launches and networking events

Do you/have you worked with an event agency previously?
No

What are you looking for from an award-winning agency?
Creative ideas and innovative use of technology

Company & Role: IQPC Exchange, Deputy Head of Operations

Laura is Deputy Head of Operations at IQPC Exchange, a division of IQPC which hosts unique, invitation-only events driven by pre-scheduled business meetings. Responsible for the end-to-end management of  Exchange events globally including sourcing and securing venues, leading on-site teams, budgeting for events, and developing key relationships to drive revenues and repeat business. Laura had previously studied Events Management at Leeds Beckett University and worked as an Event Coordinator at etc.venues.

How many events do you organise annually?
25-30

What types of events do you typically organise?
Conferences and Meetings

Do you/have you worked with an event agency previously?
No

What are you looking for from an award-winning agency?
Creativity, good customer experience, organised and problem solving ability

Company & Role: Facebook, Events Lead

I’m a passionate event manager, with an entrepreneurial mindset and in-depth knowledge of leading and running international events. Previously worked at Informa, Startups.co.uk and more recently at Facebook via Career Moves. Responsible for the strategic planning and execution of Business Education events for SSA and DACH, Facebook’s Global Education Program was designed to help organizations, agencies, marketing partners and SMB’s to reach their goals with digital platforms. I’m also a Conference News 30 under thirty 2020 award winner.

How many events do you organise annually?
100+

What types of events do you typically organise?
Training and conferences

Do you/have you worked with an event agency previously?
Yes

What are you looking for from an award-winning agency?
An award-winning agency goes above and beyond to help their clients achieve their goals and demonstrates an excellent track record in delivering all kinds of events. I look at agencies as close partners. They should be able to represent their client, provide valuable advice, strive to match the brief and, in person, they really become part of the brand so that the attendees feel a unique experience.

Company & Role: Wowcher Events, PR & Affiliate Marketing Manager

Wowcher is a ‘deal a day’ site, with hundreds of offers from Home gadgets, to Fashion items, right through to Spa Days and Experiences. In 2020, Wowcher prepared to explore the exciting world of events and offer branded  experiences for their customers. I was brought in at the beginning of the year to help assistwith their strategy and planning. I am the brands Events and Marketing Manager, currently designing and managing their future events calendar. Our aim is to provide our customers with impactful, seasonal events and experiences.

How many events do you organise annually?
50+

What types of events do you typically organise?
Exhibitions, networking events, corporate conferences, meetings, consumer events and experiential

Do you/have you worked with an event agency previously?
Yes

What are you looking for from an award-winning agency?
Simply, I’d be looking for truly impactful events. Creative, smart and original design thinking that has been implemented through the planning, production and execution of events. I’ll be looking for engaging event ideas that leave attendees with an opinion about a brand; a lasting impression is vital.

Company & Role: ECIS, Head of Events

Jo Whitson is Head of Events at ECIS. ECIS (The Educational Collaborative for International Schools) is a not-for-profit global membership organisation that supports schools in the areas of teacher development, leadership development, recruitment, human resources, governance, and risk, complemented by grants and awards. Jo has over 10 years of experience working on a diverse range of events from mass participation sports events and elite competitions, to corporate dinners and international conferences. 

In her current role at ECIS, Jo leads the Events team and is responsible for end-to-end event and project management, strategy to execution, including working collaboratively with legal, risk, procurement, and brand.

How many events do you organise annually?
35-40

What types of events do you typically organise?
Conferences, workshops and corporate retreats

Do you/have you worked with an event agency previously?
Yes

What are you looking for from an award-winning agency?
Innovative, disruptor, can-do attitude and personalised

Game Insight, Event Manager

Before coming to Game Insight and becoming a corporate event manager, I’ve worked in an event agency as a project manager for more than 10 years, so I must say that I know both sides - client and agency quite well. Game Insight is the world’s leading innovator of mobile and social games, creating exceptional gameplay for a wide range of audiences - casual, eSports, hardcore. My role in the company is to assure that we feel the pulse of the gaming industry events, plan, execute, and assure the highest quality of our brand and product representation.

How many events do you organise annually?
20

What types of events do you typically organise?
Corporate events, product launches, conferences and activations

Do you/have you worked with an event agency previously?
Yes

What are you looking for from an award-winning agency?
Originality, flexibility, the ability to adapt to a changing environment and most of all, creativity.

Nationwide, Engagement & Events Manager

Nationwide building society was found over 130 years ago and is now the world’s largest mutual financial institution. We have a heritage, culture and ethos that remain unique, and of course, are built on the solid foundation of mutuality. As an Engagement & Events Manager, Sophie’s role is to create engaging, memorable events for Nationwide employees and members, working with the business to make sure the right messages land at the right time, whilst injecting creativity.

How many events do you organise annually?
60

What types of events do you typically organise?
Conferences, awards and workshops

Do you/have you worked with an event agency previously?
Yes

What are you looking for from an award-winning agency?
The top agencies are those who get under the skin of the client they’re working with and have a real focus on smaller details. they bring fresh, creative and innovative concepts and aren’t afraid to try something new and different.

The Guardian, Event Producer

Tina is a dynamic and creative individual with almost eleven years’ experience producing highly successful events and campaigns ranging in scale, value and complexity. Currently working for The Guardian News and Media, where the events team plan and deliver over 200 events a year. Tina produces a variety of B2B / B2C events, encompassing high-impact partnerships, sponsorships, commercial and editorial events. She specialises in high profile events such as managing the partnership between The Guardian and Glastonbury Festival, executing The Guardian’s Public Service Awards and producing in-conversation events with guests such as Tony Blair, Jo Brand, and Malala Yousafzai to audiences of over 2000 people. Tina has a BA Hons Degree in Advertising and Media and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Event Management and Public Relations, and most recently, she completed the Oxford Women’s Leadership Development Programme.

How many events do you organise annually?
200

What types of events do you typically organise?
Awards ceremonies, conferences, dinners, festival partnerships and seminars

Do you/have you worked with an event agency previously?
Yes

What are you looking for from an award-winning agency?
I’ll be looking at how teams or individuals stand out from the crowd this year. I will be looking for agencies who support innovation, maintain the highest levels of integrity and promote dedication to excellence. I will also be looking for how agencies tackle sustainability.