Each week we will focus on a StandOut individual who has been extraordinary within the events industry. This week it is Beth Hill, project manager at Richmond Event Management (REM). Beth was nominated by Adrian Eyles-Jones, previous #EPOTW.

How did you get into the events industry? Where has your career taken you and what roles have you enjoyed?

I studied Events Management at Plymouth University completing a year in industry as Strategic Partnerships Intern at Matches, a luxury retailer in the heart of London. I absolutely loved my year in industry, I met some amazing people and learned a tonne about the working world which set me off on a great start to my career within events. This position also exposed me to a load of roles which I never even knew existed within events (the ones they don’t teach you about at school). During my final year I focussed my research on counter terrorism within the event industry and interviewed over 15 people for my dissertation. I was then fortunate enough to be offered an event co-ordinator role based in Bristol from one of the professionals I interviewed. Taking on this role threw me straight into the deep end, learning so much about production for a wide variety of events. Anything from music production, dressing room management, accreditation, artist liaison, TV production (the list goes on!). I will always be so thankful for having been given this opportunity so early on in my career.
Now, I am a project manager for a Bristol based events agency, working on many large outdoor UK events. We work with worldwide artists installing artworks up and down the country, we produce private and corporate events as well as manage the production for Bristol’s annual flagship event, the International Balloon Fiesta.

What is it about your job that you love doing?

The thing I love about events is that no day is the same… there are days at your desk, days full of meetings and days on site (come rain or shine). I enjoy having variety within my role and also the unexpected things too!
Events are full of amazing people, I enjoy meeting and engaging with those showcasing their individual professions & learning a little bit from every person I talk too. The thing that tops it off for me (that I really do love) is watching an event you’ve worked on come together on-site as all the suppliers, contractors, freelancers, acts, infrastructure and more collate to produce an amazing event. You can stand with a cuppa with your colleagues and go ‘yep we’ve done it!’.

What’s been the stand out moment of your career so far?

For me, the standout moment of my career will always be the first music show that I worked on. Bristol Sounds 2022 opening night headlined by Noel Gallagher, followed by the likes of Jungle & Paolo Nutini over the weekend. I was fascinated by the build and break of the production and it not just being a plan on a load of excel spreadsheet’s. The feeling of standing at the back of the crowd each night watching the crowd dance and sing along to the artist on stage is incomparable to any other project I have worked on. It was that weekend I knew I had chosen the right career path in events!
I can’t talk about this event and not mention how amazing the people were that I worked with back in 2022, I will always cherish all those memories made.

What’s been your biggest achievement? Equally, what have you done that you can now look back on and be super proud of due to its challenges?

Hard one to answer, I have done things like reducing budgets to make events sustainable and managed multiple large scale events simultaneously.
For me personally I feel my biggest achievement is having gotten into the career that I studied and now being in the role and position I am just 4 years after I graduated. It’s great to see all the hard work, ambition and drive pay off! Being part of such a small team and looking back on 2023’s list of events, we had such a busy year and it has been great to be able to look back on that busy period and be proud of the outcome of every event.

What key pieces of advice would you give to someone starting in events?

Take every opportunity that is offered to you regardless of confidence, you will learn so much so quickly.
Have conversations with those you meet along the way, you never know what information they may share or what opportunities may arise.
Never be afraid to ask questions, again this is how you learn and ensure you’re doing your job to the best of your ability.
Put 100% into every project, never be afraid to get stuck in. Trust me, people will appreciate your help and remember you for that.
Events is actually quite a small world – the relationships you build can and will develop into future roles no doubt.

What career goals do you have and where do you see yourself heading? For example, is there an event that you would love to work on but haven’t?

One day I would love to see the two worlds that I have dipped my toes into merge into one… to work in event production for fashion/beauty/lifestyle events around the world would be a real dream.
I loved what I was exposed to during my placement year and I have learned so much about the wonderful world of events since which I hope to one day take into the industry and showcase!

If you would like to nominate someone for #EventProf of the week, please email marketing@standoutmagazine.co.uk.