Each week, we spotlight a StandOut individual who has made an extraordinary impact within the events industry. This week, we’re featuring Bethan Lowe, senior project manager at Seen Presents.

How did you get into the events industry?
My mum has always worked in the events industry, and I used to help her pack gift boxes after school – it ignited a passion. Before I knew it, I found myself working in events too.

I landed my first role when I was 16, working after school and on the weekends as crew on various events – everything from team building days to incentive trips. I took on almost every on-site role you could imagine to gain as much hands-on experience as possible. Alongside full-time work, I also volunteered as artist liaison at Rhythms of the World, a local music festival in Hertfordshire that united diverse communities through music and the arts. It was very much a passion project, but one that taught me a huge amount.

Where has your career taken you and what roles have you enjoyed?
I’ve always made a point of getting stuck into as many roles as possible because I live by the motto of not asking someone to do something that you haven’t done yourself. From car-park management to client lead, I learned from a very a young age not to underestimate any job role. Everyone working on an event is an essential cog in the wheel, and it truly takes a team to make it a success.

It sounds cliché but I’ve truly enjoyed every role I’ve taken on – they’ve all helped get me to where I am today. Gaining experience across all areas of events has naturally helped me develop a calm approach which has benefited me as I’ve progressed into more high-pressure roles.

What is it about your job that you love doing?
I’m not going to lie – I love being on-site. It’s the part of the process that the team have been building up to for many months: seeing the renders become reality and watching all the hard work come to life. I think sometimes we forget to pause and soak it all in. We’re in a fast-paced industry, so ensuring the team and our clients have a chance to celebrate the wins and discuss learnings is something that I think is very important.

And dare I say it… I also love is problem solving. I really enjoy finding solutions, thinking outside of box, and eventually looking back and thinking… what problem?

What’s been the standout moment of your career so far?
Being part of Seen Presents and watching its growth has been amazing. I joined in 2023 when the agency was only 18 months old and I’ve loved being part of so many “firsts”, including leading back-to-back projects for our first automotive client, Volvo, and our first F&B brand McDonald’s – both are still two of my most memorable projects. It’s also been great witnessing the team’s hard work getting noticed – either through winning amazing new clients or bringing home awards.

Being part of “firsts” continues into one of my career highlights, pre-Seen Presents. I was once part of a team that hosted a private client event at Leadenhall Market in London. We worked closely with the market’s businesses and vendors to transform the venue into a fully immersive experience – from actors bringing the history of the market to life and pop-up performers, to market food and beverage stalls and a main stage hosting live music. It was a great moment standing in the middle of the bustling market watching The Bootleg Beatles sing Let It Be on the main stage! It was one of my first large-scale events, and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the team that produced such a standout event.

What’s been your biggest achievement? Equally, what have you done that you can now look back on and would have done differently?

In my mid 20’s, I was promoted to senior project manager, which felt like a massive achievement for me given I’d left school after year 11 and didn’t go on to higher education. It’s proof that you don’t necessarily need a degree to get where you want to be.
Another thing I’m really proud of was having the courage to leave a job that wasn’t quite right for me. It’s ok to admit when something isn’t working for you and not every career path is going to be straight forward. I look back on that moment with real pride – having the courage to leave and try something new was a difficult decision but I firmly believe it helped shape my future today!

What key pieces of advice would you give to someone starting in events?
Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty! In events, we pull off some almighty shifts and find ourselves doing pretty obscene jobs at times – jump in with both feet and get involved. You’ll soon realise why we all love this crazy lifestyle and will reap the rewards from it!

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?
I would love to become a well-known and trusted name within the industry – someone people feel confident working with, knowing the job will be delivered to a high standard with lots of fun and enjoyment along the way.

I’d also love to look back on my career and know that I’ve worked on some of the biggest events out there – not just in the UK but globally. Working with major brands at events like Cannes Lions, Glastonbury, and The Super Bowl would be incredible – the more creative, the better!

Nominate your #EventProf of the week or sponsor an #EventProf and align your brand with the best in the industry by emailing marketing@standoutmagazine.co.uk