For more than a decade, Event Buyers Live has brought event professionals together to connect, share ideas and build valuable industry relationships. As we look ahead to #EBL26, we’re revisiting the experiences that make the hosted buyer event so memorable. This time, Dan Waite, build manager at Ascot Racecourse, shares his EBL experience, from the insights he gained to the people he met along the way.

What first drew you into the events industry and what keeps you excited about the sector? 

Actually, it was redundancy. I was working as a CAD technician in an engineering firm, not a job I loved or for life, for me. After ten years, I was made redundant in 2010. At a relatively early stage of my career, it was a big blow, but I got a call from a recruitment agent in London offering me an interview in Canary Wharf, without even asking what it was for I accepted without hesitation. I arrived with minimal info and it turned out to be for LOCOG and London 2012 drawing up everything that wasn’t in a stadium – marathon, road cycling, triathlon etc – and after that I was hooked. From there to London Marathon for five years as their first permanent CAD technician and then on to Ascot Racecourse where I moved from drawing work to become the build manager for all things temporary structures. It’s been a hell of a ride.

The events industry is intense and moves fast. How do you switch off, recharge, and stay inspired between projects? 

Generally, by a beach or pool with a beer in hand. I’m the first to admit I find it hard to totally switch off. Going away is definitely the best way to recharge and switch off. But the inspiration comes from going to see other events. It’s absolutely the best way to find the next big structure or company.

You are attending Event Buyers Live this November. What’s your top tip for someone attending EBL for the first time? 

Embrace it. It’s an amazing opportunity to meet some of the best in the business, in all kinds of different streams of the industry that you could think of or need. Enjoy the breakfasts and evenings and take the chance to talk to people you don’t know. It could make that positive difference to your event.

What are you most looking forward about EBL26, and what opportunities are you hoping to discover? 

I’m looking forward to reconnecting with existing contractors and see what exciting new things and innovation they have to offer as well as trying to connect with some new. Last year’s Royal Ascot, we built four new big structures that had never been built in the UK before. From my perspective as a build manager, this event is an ideal opportunity to find those contractors and people that can really take things to a different level.

There are many industry events but for you, what makes EBL stand out from all the others and why did you want to come back? 

The whole set up is great. The hotel is top class for starters. The organisers look after you like royalty and there’s no shortage of assistance if you need help finding your feet. The agenda they put together is so helpful and sets the day out into exactly the way you want to spend your time and in the most efficient way. I think one of the real highlights are the evening sit down meals and guest speakers, hearing them talk about their events can be a real inspiration on moving things in a positive direction.

EBL is “the place to do business”. Who have you met at EBL that has completely changed your event? 

I focus the majority of my time on the structure and fitout companies; I have made contacts that allow me to look at different options for the different types of events we do. Even if it’s comparing costs and quotes and having another option to the regulars that I use but the procurement side of things and getting the best costs for the business is integral to allow me to best spend my budget in ways that will positively impact the event and customer experience.

What information have you learned in the EBL content sessions that you have taken back to the office and put into practice? 

To be honest, the information is vast. I think being able to take inspiration for the way other people love their events they are involved in and the pride they have in their work is as big a learning as any other.

If you could sum up EBL in one word, what would it be? 

Collaborative

Who is your ultimate event industry icon, and why? 

He’ll love this, but one of EBL’s former ambassadors Andrew Smith. He was my line manager at London Marathon and was without a doubt one of the biggest influences on my career. One of the things he said to me which has always stuck is, “There’s no such thing as perfect” and it’s spot on! There is always room to grow and improve. Even those one per cent and two per cent improvements can make all the difference to making your career and your event better.