After many years of managing events client-side, in 2019 I felt the time was right for change and joined ZiaBia, an event agency. Back then, Covid didn’t exist and we worked from an office most of the time. How things would change…
Year 1: 2019 – 2020
I joined as the 5th team member. We then rapidly grew to seven over the next three months, and I was based in Swindon three days a week.
It was so exciting to see how events worked from the ‘other side’: it helped me understand how agencies bring value to the client relationship. I loved learning a new way of working, managing client expectations and building relationships with all our suppliers. My years of in-house experience stood me in good stead in understanding what our clients wanted and needed for their events and delegate experience.
Halfway through my first year, things changed in a way no-one foresaw with the news of a new virus, Covid-19. I can clearly remember being on a final site visit in Berlin for a large April conference. The client and I discussed whether the event would go ahead and what contingencies we would implement. The next week Germany closed its borders, with the UK following shortly afterwards. There was no more event while we waited for the online event world to kick into gear. Things happened fast!
I ended my first year on furlough, which was not quite what we had all imagined.
Year 2: 2020 – 2021
After delivering several successful events online, I came back part-time as this element started to grow. I loved being back as part of the team, and great to have something new to learn. Zoom, Hopin, MS Teams, On24 – you name it, we’ve probably delivered an event on it or researched it.
We even supported a long-term client to realise their ambition of rewarding key workers in the Bristol and Bath region with a mass hot air balloon launch. It was such a special day.
Once they had all taken off, Debbie and I sat our regulated 2 meters apart with flasks of tea and our breakfast waiting for them to return to Ashton Court. It was so wonderful to spend that time together after months seeing each other only through a screen.
Year 3: 2021 – 2022
After the tumultuous year we took our first tentative steps back with in-person events as a team of four. We started to deliver a number of post-covid in-person events. A personal highlight being a 600+ person charity ball in December. This was held at the iconic Roundhouse, Camden for an automotive client. We worked with many of our trusted suppliers such as TechPro, Zafferano and Scarlett Entertainment to deliver a stunning event. Things were back with a bang!
We also had the chance to don our glad rags as we were finalists in the Bath Life Awards. Such a fun evening and great to let our hair down after a tough year!
Things really busied up from then on and we started working with both brand new and existing clients. I had some interesting challenges along the way, such as:
- Moving a 180pax conference venue 3 weeks before the event due to a venue fire
- A high-security event with an HRH guest
- Delivering a 21-date roadshow across 14 European countries over 11 weeks!
As we were only a team of four, we really pulled together and delivered above and beyond for each of our clients. No two days were the same and it really was great to be back doing what we love.
As well as the event work, after a year of (intermittent) study I was delighted to qualify as a PRINCE2 Practitioner. This is something I had wanted to achieve for a while and Debbie and Vicky fully supported this ambition.
The year culminated in my promotion to Senior Project Manager, which was amazing and I really appreciated the trust placed in me.
Year 4: 2022 – 2023
Rebecca, Ashton and Laura joined the team! It was lovely to have some new faces and also extra pairs of hands as we were busier than ever.
This year saw more client wins and I worked on and delivered events in Porto, London, The Hague and not forgetting Bristol.
I also had my Germany extravaganza! There were two site visits and an event in Stuttgart (plus a cheeky Christmas Market visit with Laura), IMEX in Frankfurt courtesy of The DMC Advantage and a site visit in Munich for a long-term client.
ZiaBia hit 10 years and we celebrated with parties in Bristol and London for our clients and supporters celebrating with friends old and new!
And more awards ceremonies to attend as we were finalists in both the Bristol Life Awards and the prestigious industry M&IT Awards. Two great nights being recognised for all the work we do for our clients and suppliers. Being shortlisted in both was such a thrill.
Year 5: 2023 – 2024
As we kept growing, we were joined by Kim, Vicki and MJ. They fitted in so well, bringing new skills and experiences to enhance the team’s offering.
I have really enjoyed training and coaching the new team members and seeing how they have progressed. It has also allowed them to take more of a lead on event projects so that I can start to concentrate on supporting Debbie and Vicky with elements of the business and stand-alone projects.
I have been entrusted with our B Corp application. This is such an exciting time for ZiaBia and we have learnt so much going through this process. It’s a huge team effort and one I am truly enjoying!
I am also working on streamlining and documenting our processes and procedures to make our client’s experiences and events much slicker and consistent.
As my 6th ZiaBia year starts, the team has really embedded and truly exciting changes are afoot!
