Event Management Course Tutors

Get to know Natalie

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into event management?

I moved to the stunning touristy Sunshine Coast in Australia many years ago. Being a small town then, the only available employment opportunities were hospitality. I started working in a resort hotel, co-ordinating events.

I was lucky enough to learn and work on televised sporting events such as triathlons and PGA Golf events. Understanding and learning what incentives and reward programs are all about. The art of conferencing, exhibitions, and board meetings. The detail required for social and wedding events, including a royal visit and events of HRH the late Queen Elizabeth and even a Miss World competition.

That was the start of my events career, which has now spanned over 30 years and been based in multiple countries. It culminated in my co-founding a successful bespoke event management company.

My clients' events have taken me to many countries, where I have worked with a myriad of cultures. I have developed wonderful experiences and memories for attendees and countless happy clients.

What inspired you to become a tutor?

I am passionate about the industry and sharing my 30 years of event experience.

What are some essential skills or qualities that every event manager should possess?

• Someone who enjoys working with people.
• Has attention to detail and creative vision. Very few people are adept at both. I feel this comes with experience.
• Being calm under pressure and being able to think clearly and quickly.
• Being adaptable in making adjustments when challenges arise.
• Be open-minded to learn, as you will never know everything; every event and group of people will be different."

What is your favorite event to have managed?

This is so hard to answer as I have managed events in some of the most stunning locations around the world and created unimaginable one-off experiences. I have also worked with the famous and seemingly unlimited budgets.

But I can share that my favorite part of an event is seeing the guest's faces, their delight and awe when you have created an experience they will remember for a lifetime.

What are some key skills and knowledge areas you focus on in the course?

• Understanding the event brief/scope. The outcomes and purpose of what the event is about and what the clients want to achieve.
• Being aware of the event budget and learning how to build and manage the costs.
• The importance of contracting.
• Appreciating the risks involved in an event and implementing mitigating strategies and plans. This includes understanding the laws of the countries you are working in.
• Realizing venues/locations capacities, strengths, limitations and possibilities.
• How do you build an event run sheet, what do you include, and how do you communicate with different partners?
• Learn about the creative and little touches that make a difference and delight.

What is your favorite part about being a tutor?

Sharing knowledge and meeting people who share vision, creativity and passion.

What advice would you give to new students?

This is such an exciting industry to work in. It is not always glamorous but you do get to travel and attend amazing gatherings.

Months, sometimes years of admin work, are required before event delivery.

There are stressful moments; you can't control everything, and things happen. How you handle the situation and yourself when there are challenges is the make or break of an outstanding event manager.

There are many different types of events. Explore and figure out what best suits you and your abilities: entertainment, festivals, weddings, corporate, incentive, social, or sporting events.