DIRECTOROFTHEMONTH
“ I love this industry ”
Hot on the heels of announcing the postponement of FIT Show 2021 until May 2022 , Clearview caught up with event director Nickie West to find out a bit more about the face behind the industry ’ s flagship event …
Name / job title :
Nickie West , FIT Show event director and MD of the Design & Build division at Montgomery Group .
When did you join ( or start ) the company ?
I was part of the launch team for FIT Show and joined Matthew Glover and Paul Godwin back in 2011 to plan the launch of FIT Show in 2013 . My first task was to find a venue which is how we landed at Telford as I ’ d done shows there before . I mainly dealt with operations for the first year , eventually becoming event director and steering FIT Show to its new home at the NEC . I ’ ve actually come full circle in my career . The acquisition of FIT Show by the Montgomery Group is actually where I had worked previously . It ’ s fantastic that Matthew and Paul are still involved , but that we also have the backing of a global events company .
Describe your working day ...
No two days are the same . I work from home in the main , but pre-pandemic , I spent quite a lot of time on the road and it ’ s something I am very excited to get back to .
I love this industry and most of the time it simply doesn ’ t feel like work so I ’ m very lucky . I take an - verging on - obsessive attention to all that is FIT Show . I genuinely care about its success , and the role that it plays as a key platform for the industry .
‘ moving FIT Show from September 2021 to May 2022 was a difficult decision , but the right one for our audience and the brand . We have received overwhelmingly positive support ’
What is your workspace like ?
Most of the time I ’ m a bit of a neat freak but as the show looms closer it can become quite chaotic .
First thing you do when you get to your desk ?
Check my emails and , as a byproduct of the pandemic , “ Teams ”.
What websites help you ?
Too many to mention : AA route planner , Gov UK ( only since the pandemic ), Association of Events Organisers - who have been instrumental in helping us navigate through the last 18 month of turbulence , NEC tools for organisers and Blueprint which is our online floor plan system .
Most useful business tool ? Microsoft Teams and my sat nav . We ’ ve always predominantly worked remotely as a team but have all adopted to using Teams - it ’ s been a really valuable platform .
Best business decision in your current role ?
100 % moving FIT Show from September 2021 to May 2022 . It was a difficult decision , but the right one for our audience and the brand . We have received overwhelmingly positive support from our community , which I am so grateful for .
Favourite role models and why ?
Andrew Evans who , whilst few of your readers will know who he is , if any , he ’ s an inspiration to me . Andrew is massively experienced in all that is required to run successful exhibitions . He ’ s generous with his time mentoring entry level events professionals and always has time for his connections . He offers wise and sound advice , he ’ s honest , so , so clever and has a great sense of humour .
Exhibitions are a tough arena to excel in and there are so many examples of when it ’ s done badly .
When events are done really well , run smoothly and successfully it can almost happen without fanfare . I ’ ve witnessed many shows fail over the years , it ’ s all down to the teams behind them - and I ’ m lucky to have the best .
I also really admire Gary Morton for all that he does for GM fundraising and Hope House . A businessman with the biggest heart , and the ability to make my sides ache from laughter .
How do you unwind ?
Spending time with good friends and my gorgeous daughters . I love holidays in the sun . Cuddles with my daughters ’ new horse , Seamus . I ’ m hoping to fit in some riding lessons too .
I also love horse racing , painting furniture , shopping , reading all sorts of books , good food , great wine and good company .
www . fitshow . co . uk
26 » SEP 2021 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM