The Events Insight

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Episode 4 of Season 17 of The Events Insight is here, and this week Karen and I are joined by the fantastic Cat Rainey.

With over 18 years of experience delivering events on some of the world's biggest stages, Cat has quite the CV!

From London 2012 and the FIFA World Cup in Brazil to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Paris 2024 Olympics, UEFA Euro 2024 in Berlin and Formula 1, she's certainly seen a few things along the way!

But as we often discover on the podcast, it's not just about the events you've delivered. It's the journey, the people, the challenges and sometimes the unexpected opportunities that make the best stories.

When Covid brought our industry to a standstill, Cat found herself facing redundancy. So what did she do? Bought a coffee van, of course! ☕

What started beside a canal in Manchester has grown into Nomad Coffee Co, an independent coffee business now operating at railway stations and events.

And she didn't stop there!

In 2023, Cat launched Eventuelle, a corporate events, venue finding and travel agency supporting clients across the UK and internationally.

We chat about her journey from studying event management in Cardiff to working around the world, the realities of delivering major international events, navigating career setbacks, juggling family life and finding the confidence to create something of your own.

And yes, somewhere along the way we discovered that football can apparently make people rather frisky! You'll have to listen to find out more about that one! 😂

Another brilliant conversation that reminds us that careers don't always follow a straight line, and sometimes the opportunities you never planned for turn out to be the most rewarding.

Thanks for joining us, Cat. What a journey, and what a great conversation!

The Events Insight – sharing real stories, experiences and lessons from the people who make the events industry what it is.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Triton Projects

https://www.triton-projects.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor – Sterling AV

https://sterlingeventgroup.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the – Crown Plaza Manchester

https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/gb/en/manchester/mchss/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-CP-_-GB-_-MCHSS

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus

Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music: 'Forever' by Sega Williams on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/sega-williams

License code: SZEVXZ737SU1M7TU

Music: 'Fly Away' by Mountaineer on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/mountaineer

License code: X1KRQ40TUWLMLGGL

Music: 'Clarity' by Zoo on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/zoo

License code: KLADSHUQGEGU3GXR

Send us Fan Mail

For episode three of Season 17 of The Events Insight, Karen and Jack are joined by Dave Sammons, an event resilience consultant who has built his career around what happens when carefully made plans meet reality.

Before we get into the episode, a quick note from Dave. Unfortunately, there are some disruptions to Dave’s audio during the conversation, for which he sends his apologies. We decided not to let that stop us sharing the episode because we can assure you – the content, experience and stories Dave shares are absolutely worth the listen.

Dave's career has taken him from the military and frontline ambulance work into more than a decade working across live events.

Today, you'll find him involved with festivals, concerts, major sporting events and international projects – usually somewhere close to an event control room and, quite often, when things aren't quite going according to plan!

It's a career that has required him to make decisions under pressure, remain calm when situations change and understand that what's written in a plan doesn't always reflect what happens when thousands of people, multiple suppliers, changing conditions and unexpected problems come together.

And that's where this conversation gets particularly interesting.

Dave is passionate about good leadership, better decision making and event resilience, but he's equally passionate about closing the gap between what organisations say they'll do on paper and what actually happens at three o'clock in the morning when something goes wrong.

Karen and Jack explore Dave's journey into events, the experiences that have shaped the way he thinks and some of the situations that have tested him along the way.

There's also an open and candid conversation about an industry Dave genuinely loves – including some of the things we do brilliantly and some of the things we could still do much better.

For Dave, qualifications have their place, but so do experience, curiosity, asking questions and being prepared to challenge the answer you're given.

There are some fantastic stories in this one, plenty to think about and, despite Dave's opening claim, we're not entirely convinced the events industry can be held solely responsible for the hair loss!

The Events Insight – sharing real stories, experiences and lessons from the people who make the events industry what it is.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Triton Projects

https://www.triton-projects.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor – Sterling AV

https://sterlingeventgroup.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the – Crown Plaza Manchester

https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/gb/en/manchester/mchss/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-CP-_-GB-_-MCHSS

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus

Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music: 'Forever' by Sega Williams on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/sega-williams

License code: SZEVXZ737SU1M7TU

Music: 'Fly Away' by Mountaineer on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/mountaineer

License code: X1KRQ40TUWLMLGGL

Music: 'Clarity' by Zoo on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/zoo

License code: KLADSHUQGEGU3GXR

Send us Fan Mail

Season 17 continues!

For episode two of The Events Insight, Karen and Jack are joined by Garry Wakefield, Joint Managing Director at Capital Barriers & Temporary Fencing Ltd.

When you talk to Garry, you immediately get a sense of calm. But behind that calmness sits decades of experience, a strong work ethic and a real understanding of what it takes to deliver in the events industry.

Garry spent 20 years working in the portable building industry for a number of large national companies, predominantly supplying temporary buildings into the event hire sector.

Over time, he became convinced there was an opportunity to do things differently – offering a more personal, professional service without some of the red tape that can come with larger organisations.

After taking the time to properly understand the fencing and barrier sector, Garry took the leap and started his own event hire business in 2005.

The aim was straightforward: quality products, reliable installation and a team prepared to work the long and often unsociable hours that our industry demands.

The business grew from there, eventually merging with Capital Barriers, bringing together further experience from the world of film premieres, theatre and live events.

In this episode, Garry talks to Karen and Jack about his journey, building a business, surrounding yourself with the right people and why taking the time to really understand your industry matters.

They also explore something that sits at the heart of Garry's approach – relationships.

Learning from people, building trust with clients and colleagues, and never losing sight of the fact that ultimately your job is to deliver the best possible outcome for the client.

Another very different journey through our industry and another reminder that some of the most important parts of an event happen long before the doors open.

The Events Insight – sharing real stories, experiences and lessons from the people who make the events industry what it is.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Triton Projects

https://www.triton-projects.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor – Sterling AV

https://sterlingeventgroup.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the – Crown Plaza Manchester

https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/gb/en/manchester/mchss/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-CP-_-GB-_-MCHSS

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus

Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music: 'Forever' by Sega Williams on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/sega-williams

License code: SZEVXZ737SU1M7TU

Music: 'Fly Away' by Mountaineer on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/mountaineer

License code: X1KRQ40TUWLMLGGL

Music: 'Clarity' by Zoo on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/zoo

License code: KLADSHUQGEGU3GXR

Send us Fan Mail

Season 17 is here!

Karen and Jack are back for a brand-new season of The Events Insight, and joining them for the first episode is someone who brings plenty of energy, experience and, above all, joy to the conversation – Danielle Bounds.

Danielle is a multi-award-winning New Business Director at the NEC, with more than 20 years of experience across the events industry, from hotels and convention centres to exhibitions.

Known for her energy, commercial insight and ability to build meaningful relationships, Danielle has developed a fantastic reputation for identifying opportunities, creating partnerships and delivering great client experiences.

But her career could have taken a slightly different path...

Danielle was once told she talked too much to work in Reservations and would be better suited to Events!

Thankfully, she took the advice.

In this episode, Danielle joins Karen and Jack to talk about her journey through the industry, the lessons she has learned along the way, the importance of relationships and why she remains so passionate about the power of bringing people together through live events.

There are stories, plenty of laughs and some great insight from someone who combines a real understanding of the operational side of events with the commercial and strategic thinking needed to keep moving forward.

If we had to describe Danielle in one word?

Joy.

And we couldn't think of a better guest to kick off Season 17 of The Events Insight.

The Events Insight – sharing real stories, experiences and lessons from the people who make the events industry what it is.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Triton Projects

https://www.triton-projects.com/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor – Sterling AV

https://sterlingeventgroup.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the – Crown Plaza Manchester

https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/gb/en/manchester/mchss/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-CP-_-GB-_-MCHSS

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus

Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music: 'Forever' by Sega Williams on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/sega-williams

License code: SZEVXZ737SU1M7TU

Music: 'Fly Away' by Mountaineer on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/mountaineer

License code: X1KRQ40TUWLMLGGL

Music: 'Clarity' by Zoo on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/zoo

License code: KLADSHUQGEGU3GXR

Send us Fan Mail

Blink and just like that… Season 16 is a wrap! 

What a brilliant season it’s been. A huge thank you to all of our incredible guests – Jack and Karen genuinely loved every conversation, insight, and story shared along the way.

And now… the fun bit.

For our final Wrap episode, Jack and Karen are joined by the fantastic Indy Marsland and Judith Rafferty – both loyal listeners of the podcast who put themselves forward to be part of The Wrap. And honestly… they did not disappoint. Fresh perspectives, brilliant insights, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Indy Marsland trained in theatrical stage management at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and her career has taken her from fringe theatre productions to large-scale film premieres and working with major music artists at UK festivals.

Judith Rafferty is a true hospitality and events OG. With a career spanning academic venues, national venue chains, venue finding, and destination marketing, she now supports the industry through copywriting, content strategy, and LinkedIn marketing for a wide range of event professionals, venues, and suppliers.

Fancy joining us next time? If you’re a listener and want to be part of The Wrap for Season 17… you know what to do.

It’s the perfect way to round off another unforgettable season.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Send us Fan Mail

Karen and Jack caught up with Roger while he was on site in Spain delivering an event, proving once again that the life of an events professional never really stops.

From an early age, Roger knew the events industry was where he belonged. Following his father onto site, watching shows being built, meeting suppliers and seeing client relationships in action, he quickly caught the bug.

Today, Roger is an international major event and venue operations leader, with experience across strategic senior roles as an event promoter, venue operator, services provider and project consultant.

His peers have described him as “the critical leadership glue” and someone who is proven at “steadying the ship” in some of the most challenging event delivery locations around the world. Roger has built and led event projects in first-time locations, including stadia, venues, city centres and greenfield sites, while guiding city stakeholders and new local teams through the delivery journey.

Roger has enjoyed an extensive and impressive career in the events industry, with highlights including senior roles at Excel London, the ABB Formula E FIA World Championship, the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, the first European Games in Baku, Wembley Stadium, Ascot Racecourse, equestrian events and the Singapore Sports Hub.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Send us Fan Mail

This week on The Events Insight, Jack and Karen are joined by Emma King, an entrepreneur, event organiser, business coach and international podcast host who has built a reputation for doing things a little differently.

Emma is the driving force behind CHS Events, a company well known across the meetings and events industry for its trade shows in Leeds and Birmingham. But 2026 marks a new chapter, with the shows combining to create a brand-new “super show” at Manchester’s AO Arena, a bold move that reflects Emma’s willingness to evolve and challenge the status quo.

The title of this episode comes from Emma herself: “I don’t mind people judging me… it keeps me on my toes!” , a mindset that perhaps explains how she has navigated an industry that’s constantly changing.

Like many in events, Emma faced huge disruption during the pandemic. But rather than standing still, she used the time to explore new opportunities, relocating to Spain and joining the coaching team at Dan Bradbury Ltd, expanding her expertise beyond events into business coaching and personal development.

Today, Emma continues to balance multiple roles. She is Expert in Residence at the international training company Paul Gough Ltd, and co-founder of It Takes Two, a coaching and training business designed to support Second-in-Command leaders who want to become world-class operators.

In this episode, we explore Emma’s journey through entrepreneurship, resilience during challenging times, and why sometimes being judged simply means you’re pushing boundaries.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Send us Fan Mail

This week on The Events Insight, Jack and Karen are joined by Adam Tetro, a man who’s spent more than two decades navigating the controlled chaos that makes live events so special.

At the time of recording, Adam was Director of Production & Sales – Venues at Scene Change, bringing a wealth of experience to a national events company in Australia.

Adam’s journey into the industry didn’t start in production. Like many great event professionals, he began in hospitality while chasing a career in music. Somewhere along the way he realised that events offered the perfect blend of creativity, problem-solving and just the right amount of unpredictability.

Over the past 26 years, Adam has seen just about everything the industry can throw at you, from lighting mishaps and audio crises to those last-minute client requests that somehow always appear five minutes before doors open.

His career has taken him across multiple technical disciplines, working as a lighting, audio and vision technician before moving into leadership roles managing production and technical teams across the Gold Coast and Brisbane. He also spent three years in the UK, living and working across London, Birmingham and Surrey, gaining international experience, and plenty of stories along the way.

Since recording this episode, Adam’s career has taken another step forward. He has now moved into a new role as Sales and Account Manager at Creative Technology, a great example of how careers in the events industry rarely stand still.

In this episode, we explore Adam’s journey through the industry, the lessons learned from decades behind the scenes, and what it really takes to make the magic happen when the audience only sees the finished show.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Send us Fan Mail

This week on The Events Insight, we’re tackling a topic that resonates across our industry, work life boundaries, not work life balance.

Jack and Karen are joined by Claudia, a brand storyteller with 25 years of experience delivering award-winning work for global names including Hitachi, Amazon, PwC, PepsiCo and Audi, across sectors spanning Technology, Professional Services, FMCG, Healthcare and Automotive.

As Managing Director of INVNT EMEA, Claudia has built and led high-performing teams responsible for bold, results-driven campaigns that have fuelled the agency’s rapid growth since 2020. She understands what it takes to operate at the highest level and what it costs if boundaries aren’t clearly defined.

In this episode, we explore the difference between chasing “balance” and setting meaningful boundaries. What does leadership look like when performance and personal life collide? How do you build ambitious teams without burning them out? And how do you protect your energy in an always-on industry?

Beyond agency life, Claudia is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation. She serves as a Board Member at Brixton Finishing School and mentors through Elevate, helping to shape future talent across the industry.

A first-generation American who grew up across Germany, England and the US, Claudia has called London home since 2011  navigating agency leadership alongside family life with her two sports-obsessed boys and her chef-skilled husband.

This is a conversation about ambition, boundaries and building a career that works for you ... not against you.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL 

Send us Fan Mail

This week on The Events Insight, Jack and Karen are joined by Matt Clarke, a man whose career can only be described as truly eventful.

From taking a temporary three-month role at Silverstone in 1995… to taking another temporary three-month role there in 2025, Matt’s journey spans three decades at the heart of global sport and live events.

In between, he’s worked across permanent, temporary and contract roles, seamlessly moving between them, while playing an integral part in delivering some of the world’s biggest sporting moments. We’re talking Commonwealth Games, Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups, the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and Formula One across the UK, Australia, South Africa and the Middle East.

Matt’s philosophy? Work hard, play hard. Let your actions and achievements speak for you, you don’t need to tell everyone you’re the boss.

And when someone like Mick Wright at World Rugby says, “What, ‘THE’ Matt Clarke?” , you know you’ve built a reputation that travels.

Who knows where he’ll go next?

Tune in as we explore a 30-year career built on adaptability, delivery at the highest level, and a relentless passion for live events.

See more about our Season Sponsor – Electric Cat

https://www.electriccat.co/

Find out more about our Shoutout Sponsor Church House Westminster

https://churchhouseconf.co.uk/

Our Season Quickfire round Sponsor is the The Lewis Foundation

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Our partnership with Standout Magazine is also worth following;

https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/

Music Credits go to;

Artist: Cathrine Rannus
Title: The Events Insight Theme Music

Music from #Uppbeat:
Forever - Sega Williams
https://uppbeat.io/t/sega-williams/forever
License code: 7F5KY293FYDFNVEV

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/summer

License code: WNFODRXZ1ITXJS3H

Fly Away - Mountaineer
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/fly-away
License code: EKN0IYNUKGUXMCTW

Clarity - Zoo
https://uppbeat.io/track/zoo/clarity 
License code: GL25RXVDXIBQWSWL