Things event planners wish they knew when starting out
Bronwyn Gahagan, Senior Event Manager at Shard Financial Media:
“I wish I knew that growth so often comes from the uncomfortable moments. The biggest steps in my career haven’t come from the perfectly executed events, but the ones where everything seemed to unravel - train strikes, last-minute sponsor re-brands, re-forecasted budgets. Those experiences forced me to adapt, remain calm under pressure and find creative solutions. They taught me that the curveballs are not setbacks, but opportunities to discover how resilient and resourceful you truly are.
“In moments like these it was also evident how much ‘your network is your superpower’. Building strong relationships early on matters just as much as delivering flawless events. Whether it’s venue staff, suppliers or senior sponsors, treating everyone with respect, honesty and kindness opens doors in ways you can’t always predict. This industry thrives on community, and the way you show up for others will often take you further than any CV.
“My final note is to be curious - you don’t need to have all the answers, but have the confidence to say, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out”. Curiosity is a strength; asking questions, admitting when you’re still learning, being open-minded and focusing on the value you bring (whether it’s creativity, organisation or a fresh perspective) are far more powerful than trying to appear like you have it all figured out.”
Mia Breading, Content Producer at LeadDev:
“A phrase I wish I’d heard sooner is, ‘the grass is always greener where you water it’. This was a profound phrase to me that I often use when reminding myself of my priorities. A lot of the time running events can be incredibly fast-paced, and I’m a huge advocate for wellbeing and a work-life balance, especially in an industry that can often challenge this. I always believe that, regardless of the nature of events, wellbeing and a well-executed event can absolutely co-exist. Well looked after teams create the best events. Period.
“This does, however, mean knowing yourself - and knowing how much is too much, even if this sometimes leads to difficult conversations. As someone who loves to be a ‘yes person’, learning to set boundaries was a huge challenge for me. But burnout is a real threat to team dynamics and event execution. I like to say, ‘if you can’t respect your own boundaries, how can you expect anyone else to respect them for you?"
Hannah Elston, Manager, Marketing & Communications at Event Leaders Exchange (ELX):
"I wish I’d known that you are the only one who can press pause when you need to. Taking breaks and understanding your own limits isn’t optional in this industry, it’s what keeps you sustainable. I also wish I’d known the true value of networking and mentorship, as the biggest doors will open through the people you meet and the relationships you nurture throughout your career."
Natasha Bahia, Event Manager at Premier Events:
“Build your brand early and never stop marketing yourself.
“Make your work and presence known - market any small wins on LinkedIn, showcase your skills, share what you’ve learnt, apply for awards, network at industry events, and have courage to ask to speak at events too. It might be scary to go out of your comfort zone but, the earlier you start, the more time you have to build trust, recognition and momentum. I find having goals for the year helps keep my mindset focused.
“The quicker you can identify your values and strengths, the easier it is to determine what you want to be associated with. Be authentically you, refine your brand and have your voice heard on matters you feel passionate about! I’m enthusiastic about new talent in the events industry, so I approach universities to speak at lectures/seminars, for example.
"I wouldn’t have had those experiences if I didn’t ask; sometimes, the opportunities are there for us to take, but, we have to be proactive, especially in the beginning. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many opportunities come to you after this – it means your name is getting out there and you’re growing your brand!”
