I ran the Octagon Centre at Sheffield University for six years. This multi-purpose venue was used for conferences (1,100 seat capacity), dinners (700 seat capacity), concerts (1,500 standing capacity) as well as degree ceremonies, exams, exhibitions and Student Union events. I planned all the events taking place within the building, working with clients to cost the events and coordinate all the services required to deliver the event - staffing, staging, sound / light / AV support, catering, accommodation, transport - whatever was required to deliver sometimes complex events. The highest profile event was probably the 1986 SDP conference which involved over 2 days of live TV and radio coverage. Other events included recording of two editions of BBC TV Mastermind.
From the Octagon I moved to Sheffield Arena where I worked during the latter stages of the development, coordinating arrangements for the Royal Opening and initial concerts.
I then worked with the team organising the Closing Ceremony of the World Student Games held at Don Valley Stadium.
I became freelance, trading as Effective Events for six years. I organised conferences, dinners, exhibitions and promotional events for a range of clients including Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs), Sheffield City Centre Manager, South Yorkshire Supertram, NHS Executive Trent and the Emergency Planning Society. I also wrote articles for newspapers and magazines for several of my clients.
I became the Events Manager at Magna Science Adventure Centre, working there for a year before the opening during the final phase of construction. During this phase I worked as a member of the marketing team on promotional events, exhibitions and presentations to business and community groups (over 150 presentations in two years). I arranged the Press Launches and Opening Event, and gave a two hour live guided tour for local radio. Post opening, I focussed on developing the Corporate Hospitality and Events side of the business, hosting 115 events in the first year.
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