Each week we will focus on a StandOut individual who has been extraordinary within the events industry. This week it is Pedro Magalhães, CEO of Europalco.

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

My career started at a very young age, driven by my passion for music and entertainment. At the age of 16, I left school to start working and save money to buy my first equipment. I started organising parties at schools, then providing sound and lighting for artist performances. Later I started in events and that’s how I ended up in the events industry. I’ve been in events for 37 years.

What started as a teenage disc jockey “joke” turned into a serious business venture. I founded Europalco, a corporate events company that handles around 1,500 events a year.

Over the years, I have held various roles at Europalco, from hands-on event organisation to strategic planning and innovation. Now I am focused on continued growth, both in terms of clientele and in expanding our range of services. Internationalisation is also on the horizon.

What is it about your job that you love doing?

What I appreciate most about my job is its incredible diversity. I love adapting to different challenges and tasks and constantly pushing the boundaries together with my team. Also, I have a passion for technology, and this is an integral part of my job. I really enjoy working with state-of-the-art equipment, exploring its capabilities, and finding innovative ways to use it.

One aspect I particularly enjoy is generating new ideas and projects, and continually striving to improve and surpass past achievements with each new endeavour. It’s a journey of innovation and growth that keeps me engaged and motivated every day. At Europalco, we take a proactive approach, always trying to anticipate and create opportunities rather than simply waiting for customers to approach us. This mentality has led us to develop innovative solutions.

Another aspect I appreciate is the dynamics of our team: it’s almost like a family. We work tirelessly, often facing last-minute changes, but we love challenges.

In essence, what I enjoy most about my job is the dynamic nature of our work, the endless possibilities for innovation and the satisfaction of seeing our efforts translate into tangible successes, both for Europalco and our clients.

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

I don’t have just one standout moment. There are several events that will stay in my memory forever. However, if I must highlight one, it would be one of the last ones: the XXXVII World Youth Day in Lisbon. It was an event for more than one million people where Europalco intervened in the main venues. It was a major technical and logistical challenge that left an unforgettable mark on my memory.

In addition, participating in events of global importance such as the Web Summit and the UN Oceans Conference has also been incredibly memorable. These experiences have not only tested our capabilities but also allowed us to showcase our expertise on an international stage.

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

My greatest achievement is undoubtedly having built Europalco from scratch and raised it to the top of the market, earning the recognition as the most outstanding company in the events sector in Portugal. It is a testament to years of dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Watching Europalco grow from humble beginnings to become an industry leader is incredibly rewarding and remains one of the highlights of my career. This was recognised last year when we won an AV Award for Rental Staging Business of the Year. This is the most prestigious award in the international AV industry, so it was a highlight in Europalco’s history.

It is also truly extraordinary to see the impact of our work in a small country like Portugal, located at the southernmost tip of Europe. Despite our size, we organise spectacular events that rival those on a global scale. This not only speaks to Europalco’s capabilities but also underlines the vibrant cultural landscape and innovative spirit of our nation.

Similarly, one moment stands out as a learning experience. I realised that I did not always recognise the need to slow down to avoid burnout. However, it is a lesson learned, and I now place more emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This commitment is maintained even at times like this year, when we have managed an exceptional number of events, culminating in the remarkable feat of orchestrating 57 events in a single day.

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

Firstly, be passionate. Passion is the driver for success in the events industry. Find what you are truly passionate about and pursue it with unwavering enthusiasm. Passion fuels creativity, perseverance and dedication and ultimately paves the way for remarkable achievements.

Also, the events industry demands hard work and dedication. Success rarely comes overnight, so be prepared to dedicate the time and effort necessary to excel. Commit to your goals, resist challenges, and continually strive for excellence.

In an industry built on relationships and trust, honesty and integrity are also paramount. Always behave honestly, transparently, and professionally. Respecting ethical standards not only builds credibility but also fosters lasting partnerships and reputations.

Last but not least, cultivate creativity. Creativity is the lifeblood of the events industry. Whether designing innovative experiences, solving logistical challenges, or crafting engaging content, creativity sets events apart and leaves a lasting impression. Cultivate your creative instincts, experiment, and dare to think outside the box.

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?

My professional goals include fostering Europalco’s sustainable growth and nurturing new talent to lead the industry in the future. I envisage expanding our company into new markets. My focus is on continuous improvement and pushing the boundaries to achieve unprecedented success. I am committed to cultivating a thriving business environment where innovation thrives, and our team excels. While there may not be a specific event I aspire to work on, my goal is to continually challenge myself and our team to exceed expectations and make a lasting impact on the events industry.

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