People Moves
PEOPLE MOVES
2 MINUTES WITH…
part of and learning from other
operational professionals and
sharing knowledge. Also working
with Lou and facing the challenges
together.
Biggest frustration?
Helen Ericson, head of
operations, EventShaper
How did you get into the event
industry?
My first job in events was stuffing
show bags at Business Travel
for Centaur Exhibitions. I’d just
returned from travelling and needed
some money. I picked up temp work
with them and stayed for eight years.
Favourite thing about events?
The people. I have made some
amazing friends and they makes
the long hours and hard work
worthwhile and so much fun.
There are a lot of changes in the
industry at the moment with
shorter tenancy times and changes
in rules and regulations. For
many this is a negative and we
focus on how difficult it can make
things; rather than seeing it as
an opportunity to look at things
differently.
Crowning moment?
The first open morning on any
exhibition is such a buzz and there
is always a sense of achievement.
I think though there are key
moments which I will remember
and one which will stay with
me forever is the first day of the
London Olympics. After working
21-hour days and finally seeing all
the hard work come together, it
was a huge moment.
Best piece of advice?
What do you think you can bring
to the new role?
EventShaper is such a great company
there is little missing. I would like
to think I bring a different type of
experience and an alternative way of
approaching things.
What have you done in the first
month in the job?
The last month has been a
whirlwind. I’m really focusing
on getting to know the team and
meeting all the clients we work with.
How do you intend to face the
challenges in the industry?
You can’t face anything alone, so
I’m really looking forward to joining
some of the cross association
working groups EventShaper are
To be a good person at the core;
that doesn’t mean being nice all
the time or being a push-over.
Funniest work moment?
There are too many to mention.
If you don’t find the humour in
events, then I’m not sure how
you survive. At the end of a long
show the silliest thing can become
hilarious.
1.
De Vere Latimer Estate
has appointed Robert
2. Featherstone (2) as its
new director of sales.
Featherstone has more
than ten years’ experience
working in the hospitality
sector, having worked at
Claridge’s, The Connaught
and The Berkeley.
Lydia Rusling (3) , Visit
3. Lincoln’s chief executive, is
stepping down at the end of
August after two and a half
years. She is leaving to take
a new senior role at East
Lindsey District Council.
After 12 years at CEVA
Showfreight, Paul Brady
4. (4) has taken up a new role
at Europa Showfreight as
showfreight operations
manager.
Visions has appointed
Anna Wakeling (5) to
Who is the individual you most
admire?
I admire any woman that is able to
break the glass ceiling and carve a
successful career. For me though,
I most admire my mum. She is one
tough cookie and she’s taught me
to be strong and resilient and I will
always be grateful for that.
Blitz, a GES company,
has announced the
appointment of Oliver
Richardson (1) as group
commercial director.
Richardson joins Blitz from
Aztec Event Services where
he served as commercial
director for both UK and
Europe.
5.
the position of business
manager. Wakeling will
be a point of contact with
project managers and the
freelancing team.
August — 47