Welcome to Season 2 of The Neon Lounge - the podcast that shines the spotlight on unfiltered stories, valuable insight and expert knowledge to empower you to succeed in the events industry.

In episode 2, we’re thrilled to be joined by the incredible Paz Brennan, Founder at Spartan Crew. He’s an events industry powerhouse who brings candid insight into the realities of touring and building a business from scratch, especially as a co-founder.

Together, we dive deep into:

The unglamorous yet rewarding truths of life on the road

What it really takes to start (and thrive in) a co-founded business

Work-life balance: Is “hustle culture” dead, or is it just evolving? Paz’s take might surprise you.

Paz doesn’t hold back as he shares his passion for making it work his way. If you’ve ever struggled with balancing ambition and burnout, this episode is packed with refreshing perspectives you won’t want to miss.

Connect with our hosts Cat Kevern and Eloise Newing from Electric Cat Productions. And you can connect with our brilliant guest Paz Brennan here.

Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Neon Lounge - where we celebrate the stories and strategies that drive the events industry forward!

We’re back!

Welcome to Season 2 of The Neon Lounge - the podcast that shines the spotlight on unfiltered stories, valuable insight and expert knowledge to empower you to succeed in the events industry.

And for episode 1, we have our first ever in-person recording, coming from Event Tech Live 2024. We got to pin down the amazing Will Curran, who ended up being one of our most enthusiastic guests ever, it’s clear how passionate he is about his work. Together we discuss:

Personalisation and using real-time data to improve events 

Attendee data gathering, and how you can amend events onsite to adapt to their needs

Analysis to produce better events next time

The often confusing world of hybrid events

And of course how AI ties into all of this

Connect with our hosts Cat Kevern and Eloise Newing from Electric Cat Productions. And you can connect with our fabulous guest Will Curran here.

Huge thank you First Sight Media for providing the recording space at Event Tech Live, we loved it.

As Season 1 of The Neon Lounge draws to an end, we’re joined by the charismatic Felicia Asiedu for a very special recording, live and direct from IMEX Frankfurt!

We share all of our favourite takeaways from the show, discussing our personal highlights, favourite sessions and so much more. From the Google Experience Institute (Xi) CoLaboratory space, to panels with industry legends such as Fay Sharpe and even our experience of the Fun Run, we take you along on our journey.

In short, if you’ve never attended IMEX, we couldn’t recommend it enough! You’ll be met with carefully curated education sessions with keynotes, panels, presentations with international speakers, networking opportunities and even a Hosted Buyer programme which Electric Cat is taking part in.

Last but not least, we take a moment to reflect on some of our favourite moments from our very first season of the podcast.

Stay tuned for Season 2, we promise we'll be back bigger and better very soon… Peace out!

In this episode, we're delving into the remarkable journey of Carlos, a true trailblazer in the events industry. From his humble beginnings in the Brazilian countryside to his current global prominence, Carlos shares how his background in theatre and dance ignited his passion for events. We'll explore what drew him to start afresh in Ireland and the challenges he faced with language and cultural barriers along the way.

Carlos also sheds light on how he fosters a sense of belonging in his professional networks, emphasising the value of genuine connections over mere transactions. Through anecdotes, he illustrates the power of peer-to-peer conversations in shaping his perspective and decisions.

We'll also uncover Carlos' latest venture and how it aligns with his commitment to social and sustainable change. And amidst the demanding industry, he reveals his strategies for prioritising self-care and mental health, including his experiences with impostor syndrome and the transformative impact of running on his personal and professional life.

Lizzy joins us in the lounge as we uncover the path that led her to founding Oddity Events and Marketing, which recently celebrated turning 5. Despite setting it up amidst covid, the agency has flourished under Lizzy's leadership, carving a niche in delivering events that drive social change.

We spill the beans on all things motherhood, balancing a busy work schedule and becoming a mum, Lizzy’s insights are nothing short of inspiring. From being on NOWIE’s board of advisors, to starting her career as an event coordinator and becoming head of events and marketing at Portland, we take a look at what it took to get to this point.

We loved this raw conversation and can guarantee you’ll get a lot of value out of Lizzy honesty!

Link to Be The Business: https://www.bethebusiness.com/

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains sensitive discussions surrounding mental health and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek support from a qualified professional or contact a helpline. We have added a link to a great organisation called Music Support in the show notes. Your well-being is important to us.

Join us as we dive into the captivating journey of James Crute, an independent event professional with a decade-long legacy in global live events. From festivals to sporting events, his knack for planning and executing diverse events leaves an indelible mark on the global entertainment scene.

James delves into topics from learning on the job to technical know-how, and the cultural nuances of working in different regions. In this episode you will gain invaluable advice on freelancing rates, work-life balance, the importance of wellbeing and speaking up, and  even managing personal challenges such as anxiety, ADHD or dyslexia.

In this episode we chat to social media and personal branding expert Nyomi Rose. From navigating the challenges of completing her degree during the COVID era to boldly founding her own company, @WhatNyomiDoes, Nyomi shares the highs, lows, and pivotal moments that have shaped her path.

In our conversation, we delve deep into the importance of volunteering to kickstart your career, adapting to industry trends, and the importance of staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of social media. Nyomi also offers invaluable insights into the process of relocating across the globe from the UK to Australia, igniting a fresh chapter in her professional and personal journey.

Tune in for this dynamic episode filled with wisdom, authenticity, and the excitement of new beginnings. 

This week we are joined by the industry’s go-to expert in event safeguarding, Tom Stead. With over 13 years of experience in the field, Tom has worked at some of the UK’s biggest sporting events, venues and local authorities, consulting to event organisers and dedicated to the safety of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. 

We have an honest and raw conversation with Tom about the importance of event safeguarding and how to keep a cheerful and light-hearted outlook on life whilst dealing with some hard-hitting topics. We also discuss the escalating need for improved online protection, debunk common misconceptions about safeguarding, and gain insights into best practise.

In this episode, Cat and Eloise are joined by the wonderful David Beswick, a seasoned event prof with over two decades of experience in the field.

From his early days as an apprentice to his current role as Director at X3 Solutions, Dave shares his remarkable journey filled with insights, challenges, and unforgettable moments, dishing out advice on everything from creative charging to balancing work and family life.

With hilarious anecdotes, invaluable tips, and even a WILD Christmas party story, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to dive deep into the electrifying world of events. 

Tune in to the remarkable Josh Heyburn, Managing Director of the Occasional Group (formerly Festivall Services). With nearly half his life devoted to the events industry and boasting not one but two Event Management degrees, Josh brings a wealth of experience to the conversation.

Outside of work, Josh's passion for live music and entertainment is evident, as he often finds himself immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of gigs and festivals. Additionally, he shares his expertise as a sessional lecturer in Event Management at Canterbury Christ Church University and was recently honoured with the AAA 30 under 30 Award for the Class of 2023.

Throughout our discussion, we delve into topics such as the rebranding of his staffing company: The Occasionall Group, the importance of company values, and insights into entering the events industry.

Join us as we uncover Josh's journey and glean wisdom from his extensive experience.