IIOLE Events Podcast

Podcast Description

In this episode of the IIOLE Industry Podcast, Paul Walters sits down with Dale Parmenter, Founder and CEO of DRPG, to explore the journey behind building one of the UK’s leading creative communications and live events groups.

Starting from a shed at the bottom of his parents’ garden, Dale reflects on how a passion for filmmaking evolved into a global business spanning live events, broadcast, creative communications, and international production.

Throughout the conversation, Dale shares honest insights into:

* Growing a business through uncertainty and economic disruption

* The lessons learned from 9/11 and COVID-19

* Why company culture and transparency matter

* Building long-term careers and nurturing talent

* The role of sustainability in modern events

* How AI and emerging technologies are reshaping live experiences

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Dale also discusses why face-to-face events are becoming increasingly valuable in a world shaped by digital overload and misinformation and why the live events industry remains one of the UK’s most powerful creative sectors.

This episode offers a real-world perspective on leadership, innovation, resilience, and the future of live events from someone who has helped shape the industry for over four decades.

In this episode of the IIOLE Industry Podcast, Paul Walters sits down with Caitlin Ford, a freelance live events professional whose career has already taken her across festivals and events around the world.

Caitlin shares how she went from studying event management at the British Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) to building her own event brand, managing a nightclub venue while still at university, and eventually moving into freelance roles across the global festival circuit.

Throughout the conversation, Caitlin reflects on the realities of working in live events from artist liaison and festival operations to the pressures of working long event days and the importance of staying calm under pressure. She also discusses the lessons she learned early in her career, including the value of networking, taking opportunities when they arise, and saying yes to experiences that help build industry connections.

Caitlin also offers practical advice for those looking to break into the industry, highlighting how persistence, curiosity, and reaching out to people directly can open unexpected doors.

This episode explores the energy, resilience, and community that sit at the heart of the live events industry — and what it really takes to build a career in one of the most dynamic sectors in the world.

In this episode of the IIOLE Industry Podcast, Paul Walters sits down with Matt Cheshire, CEO and Founder of The Needs Group, to unpack a 25-year journey through live events, broadcast, and entrepreneurship.

Matt shares how his career began while studying at Leeds College of Music, volunteering on events with no pay, and learning the realities of event delivery from the ground up. That hands-on experience eventually led to the creation of Artist Needs, which later expanded into Aviation Needs, Event Furniture Needs, and VIP Needs now supporting global tours, Premier League clubs, and high-profile individuals.

Key topics discussed include:

• Why volunteering and being “in the room” still matter

• The risks and realities of starting a business in live events

• How to scale beyond seasonal work

• Why academic knowledge alone isn’t enough in event production

• The impact of technology, AI, and changing audience behaviour

• Lessons from working with artists, broadcasters, and global clients

This episode offers honest, practical insight into building a sustainable career and business in an industry that demands adaptability, resilience, and people skills.

In this episode of the IIOLE Industry Podcast, Paul Walters sits down with Maisie Wood, Senior Event Manager at York Barbican, to explore what it’s really like to grow a career in live events.

Maisie reflects on her journey from studying Live Event Production at Backstage Academy to managing one of the UK’s most dynamic medium-sized venues. She shares honest insights about:

• Breaking into the industry without a clear path.

• Balancing freelancing, networking, and finding long-term stability.

• The importance of small venues as training grounds.

• Operational and safety challenges behind every gig.

• The return of live events after the pandemic and how the industry has evolved.

• Her advice for students, from asking questions to seizing opportunities.

This episode gives early career professionals a grounded, real world perspective on what it means to succeed in an ever changing, high-pressure, and rewarding industry.

In this episode of the IIOLE Industry Podcast, Paul Walters sits down with Maisie Wood, Senior Event Manager at York Barbican, to explore what it’s really like to grow a career in live events.

Maisie reflects on her journey from studying Live Event Production at Backstage Academy to managing one of the UK’s most dynamic medium-sized venues. She shares honest insights about:

• Breaking into the industry without a clear path.

• Balancing freelancing, networking, and finding long-term stability.

• The importance of small venues as training grounds.

• Operational and safety challenges behind every gig.

• The return of live events after the pandemic and how the industry has evolved.

• Her advice for students, from asking questions to seizing opportunities.

This episode gives early career professionals a grounded, real world perspective on what it means to succeed in an ever changing, high-pressure, and rewarding industry.

Join us with another inspiring podcast with Shawnee Fryer In this podcast we talk about Shawnee event journey and what it takes to become a area event manager for Cancer Research UK. 

Shawnee is an Events Management graduate who has been working in the events industry for 3 and a half years. 

Whilst at university, she started working as an event assistant with Cancer Research UK. After graduating from Staffordshire University with a BA in Events Management in 2022, she started her current position as an Area Events Manager. 

She has spent the last few years delivering a portfolio of various mass participation charity and sporting events, as well as smaller conference style events. 

visit our website to find out more about the events industry www.iiole.com

Join us with another inspiring podcast with Josephine Kiesel. In this podcast we talk about Josephine journey and how she managed to land a role at the Euros and Olympics which are both taking place this year!

Growing up in Würzburg, Germany Josephine started rowing and made the Junior National Rowing Team in 2016. Sat bow seat in the women’s eight they won gold at the European Junior championships 2016 in Trakai and Silver at the World Junior Championships in Rotterdam that year.

She received a scholarship at Syracuse, NY (USA) to row and study B.Sc. Sport Management.

She Led the team as senior co-captain 2020-2021 to the best finish (10th) at the NCAA Championships in program history.

Josephine then moved to Paris to study a M.Sc in International Event Management at EM Normandie, she graduated top of the class in spring 2023.

After graduating she landed a role working at UEFA EURO 2024 (Frankfurt) in June 2023 as VIP Accommodation Coordinator and will be working at the Olympics in Paris later on this year.

Starting our first episode of the year with a bang! Join us in this 2 hour episode in which we speak to Paul Barton!

Paul’s career is one that spans across the world. From South Africa to continental Europe and now making waves in the Middle East, Paul's career is a global adventure that will leave you inspired and motivated!

From working as specialist crew in the start of his career to project managing some of the biggest events in the world, Paul's journey is one that is remarkable and inspiring. 

Join us as he talks about his journey and gives advice to be successful in the events industry and showcases how your events career can take you on quite the journey!

Join us in this podcast where we talk to Joe Willcox about his journey from being a graduate to becoming an entrepreneur.

Joe is a graduate in event production and has worked with artists such as Christina Aguilera, Rudimental, and Mariah Carey. With a wealth of technical experience, he started his own production company called Light Em Up in 2019. Light Em Up specialises in stage lighting, sound, technical production, streaming, and festive lights. They offer design, installation, and supply of creative visual solutions, ranging from architectural light displays to nightclub installations, schools, and festivals.

Join us as we speak to Joe about how he entered the events industry, his experience touring with some of the biggest artists in the world, how he started his business, and how he acquired his first clients.

 In this episode we talk to Jacob Bostrup who is the crew chief for a touring festival called Gron Koncert.

Grøn Koncert (literally "Green Concert") is an annually recurring series of Danish one-day music festivals. What makes this festival incredibly unique is that the whole festival tours to 8 different locations around Denmark. Not only do they tour the whole production but the event is run by 700 volunteers which make up 98% of the staff that work at the event each year.