LAST WORD
TRISTAN NORMAN
The founding partner of The Security Event, on Mango the golden retriever, juggling
career and family and encouraging more cooperation between organisers
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TOPIC THAT NEEDS ADDRESSING IN
THE INDUSTRY?
Attracting talent to the industry. For school, college and
university leavers the exhibitions industry is still not seen as
an attractive career path that people aspire too. We need to
change that!
WHAT ARE THE THREE THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE IN THE
INDUSTRY?
1. Full transparency around visitor numbers
2. Mandatory approach to sustainability across all UK
exhibitions
3. Better and more open cooperation between event
organisers
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WHICH SPEAKER HAS MOST IMPRESSED YOU AT AN
EXHIBITION AND WHY?
Buzz Aldrin spoke at ATC Global in Amsterdam a few
years ago, completely eccentric but certainly left a lasting
impression whether you believe he made it to the moon or
not!
WHICH MEMBER OF THE INDUSTRY IS LEAST LIKELY
TO GET A ROUND IN FIRST?
Simon Mills – You can take the man out of
Yorkshire but not Yorkshire out of the man.
WHAT’S THE WORST IDEA YOU HAVE SEEN AT AN
EXHIBITION?
I have seen a fair few over the years, they tend
to be features which come from a ‘good idea’
in a meeting poorly thought through in any
great detail, consequently not being able to find
a sponsor, then having the budget stripped, whilst
also being neglected in the marketing campaign
leading. There’s always a big indiscriminate
space in the middle of the event used
solely as a dumping ground for
exhibitor literature and
the odd tumbleweed
passing through.
MOST PRIZED
POSSESSION?
My golden retriever
Mango.
WHAT ONE THING
DO YOU DO BETTER
THAN ANYONE
ELSE?
Juggling a career
in the exhibitions
industry whilst
February 2019 | exhibitionnews.co.uk
also running the family farm.
BIGGEST WEAKNESS?
Buying unnecessary sporting equipment. My garage is full of
Skis, bikes, golf clubs, cricket bats, hockey sticks etc.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?
I would like to think Tom Hardy, but probably more likely to
be Ben Fogle.
BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT/PROUDEST MOMENT (IN AND
OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY)?
Founding The Security Event and the level of support it has
received from the industry to date has surpassed anything I
could dream of. Outside of work I recently completed my first
Ultra Duathlon and have got a few more Ultras planned.
TEAM YOU SUPPORT AND WHY?
Leicester Tigers – My local team growing up. I spent many a
weekend watching the Tigers with my father.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO LET OFF STEAM?
Running with my dog, I am lucky enough to live in the middle
of the countryside so can just set off from the back door and
head out into open fields. I find some of my best ideas come to
me on a long run.
WHAT’S THE BEST PUTDOWN YOU’VE HEARD IN THE
INDUSTRY?
Hard to think of a specific example but there is normally
a healthy amount of corporate sledging going on at Sticky
Wicket every year!
WORST ITEM OF CLOTHING YOU OWN?
A pair of bright green cords that make an annual appearance
on Christmas Day.
DESCRIBE THE EVENTS INDUSTRY.
A global network of friends and acquaintances, galvanising,
promoting and strengthening Industries through face-to-face
interactions and experiences.
FAVOURITE PLACE TO GO AT THE WEEKEND?
I would say a for me it would be a weekend pottering around
the farm and a good Sunday roast in the local pub.
WORST JOB YOU’VE HAD?
Mucking out horse stables (unpaid).
WHO IS YOUR HERO/INSPIRATION?
I take a lot of inspiration from the people around me, friends,
family, colleagues all of whom are extremely hard-working,
striving every day to do the best job possible. EN