In the Hotseat: Harriet Boatwright, Sales & Marketing Manager

This week we’re talking to Harriet, our Sales and Marketing Manager.

What excites you about the future of the events industry?

Moving forward events will become even more important for bringing people together, as we continue to explore the virtues of flexible and remote working.   In my opinion we haven’t yet managed to recreate the serendipity of the in-person meeting, virtually or in a hybrid way. Bringing people together, connecting and delivering impact through collaboration will remain a key focus for event activity.

What do you think will be the most important skills in the future of the events industry?

Defining and Measuring Impact. There are so many considerations when planning an event and many more these days starting with considering who will attend and how they will attend.  Delegate experience will continue to be a vital, and a complex one.  With delegates in the room and at a distance considering the experiences of all concerned will be a real rubix cube! Event organisers, and venues need to be really attuned to the desired outcome of an event and measure experience and delivery against plan. On a journey together event organisers and venues will work more closely than ever before.

What skills have you gained in the last year that you think will help you moving forward in events?

The past 18 months has challenged us all personally and professionally. Within our industry we have seen some amazing and innovative diversifications in support of the National agenda including our very own Cloth Hall Court Conference centre becoming a Nightingale Court.  Reflected within this adaptability is the flexibility of its people.  Leading people and a service through change has delivered some significant learnings for me – a challenging as well as an enlightening time – I will carry these lessons with me as we move forward into building back better and smarter.

What would be your dream event to work on?

I would love to run a retreat.  The kind of retreat that focuses on green tea, sunrises and wholesomeness.  The beauty of bringing people together in an environment that exists to serve them and enable them to be the best version of themselves.  Curating the right environment is so important to any event.