Each week, we will focus on a StandOut individual who has been extraordinary within the events industry. This week it is Sam Ellis, venue overlay manager at World Rugby.

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

Having graduated university with an accounting degree, it wasn’t very long before I decided that it wasn’t the career path for me. After returning to New Zealand from a year of playing Rugby in Hong Kong, I started searching for any job that had more excitement than doing someone’s taxes. I managed to land a job with IRONMAN New Zealand on the front desk, answering athlete calls and emails all day long….

I fell in love with the industry very quickly and managed to move my way through the ranks within the company to Operations Manager and Race Director. I spent a lot of time on the road around New Zealand and Australia, and was lucky enough to go to some amazing locations, putting on races in the region.

I then turned to a life in the UK and have been here for nearly 3 years, with a project manager role at LS Events and now my current role as Overlay Manger with World Rugby on the Women’s Rugby World Cup later this year which will certainly be a career highlight when that rolls around.

What is it about your job that you love doing?

Firstly, it’s the people, I’ve been lucky to work alongside some great people who are now life long friends. People who work in events tend to create strong bonds from being under pressure and ‘in the trenches’ together. The memories and experiences are only as good as the people alongside you.

I also really love creating and developing things from scratch, whether that be a new greenfield site for a music festival, or designing and planning large event builds with temporary infrastructure.

But ultimately, its about the final result. Seeing people either accomplish their goal, watch their favourite artist or see their team play, that’s what we do it for at the end of the day.

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

There are many to pick from, but stand out moments would certainly be Race Directing some of New Zealand’s leading marathon and ultra marathon events, like the Auckland Marathon. That lent me some great learnings and experiences I still look back on now.

A  moment I won’t forget would be my first day in the UK. Having taken a role with LS Events prior to arriving, I found myself down in Hyde Park managing production vehicles on Day 0 of Operation London Bridge, Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral. Safe to say I learnt the central London road network fairly quickly. That was quite the two week introduction to London.

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

This isn’t the glamourous job it’s seen to be. People don’t see what goes on behind the scenes to make these events happen. It can be long nights/early mornings, with high-pressure environments and the occasion blocked Portaloo to fix with nothing but a stick….

I’d say to always continue learning and embrace the challenges that come with this line of work (and there are plenty), but never forget to have fun along the way. Sometimes I have to remind myself it’s only an event…..we’re creating experiences for people, not saving lives!

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’m heading back home to New Zealand at the end of this year, so maybe the Olympics is on the horizon for 2032. Ultimately my goal is to own and grow a portfolio of my own events at some point in the future.

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