Behind the scenes – the teams in Leeds helping you experience the exceptional
Posted on 05 October 2021
Behind the scenes – the teams helping you experience the exceptional
To celebrate Independence Venues Month, Conference Leeds has gone behind the scenes to find out more about the teams who drive the city’s unique and independent venues helping organisers and delegates to experience the exceptional.
We delve into why the people in Independent Venues make your event experience exceptional. From your enquiry with the event coordinator to the team operating your event, these venue heroes share with you what makes their venues different and some top tips to bear in mind for your next event.
Name: Drew Syson
Job title: Chef
What do you enjoy the most about working at your venue?
I love the opportunity to be creative. We work collaboratively with all of our partners to create unique dishes, to ensure we’re bringing a conference organiser’s idea to life and ensure each meal evokes emotion and leaves a lasting impression.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
When I worked at Rudding Park we welcomed a few VIPs over the years, but one that comes to mind is Bill Clinton. That was a real career highlight!
What top tip would you give to an event organiser?
The best advice I could give is to be creative. Food is a key element to any event, so consider your audience and the dynamic of your event. Think outside the box to ensure you’re crafting a fun and memorable experience.
Name: Craig Squelch
Job title: Head of Events
What do you enjoy the most about working at your venue?
Dine is a really unique place to work, from the venue and staff through to our clients and the calibre of events we’ve hosted. As a venue, we love to be challenged. We want to work as closely with our clients as possible to ensure we get the formula right and as Head of Events, there is nothing better than getting an email from an organiser after their event to say how much they enjoyed their time at our venue.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
We once served Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for the Queen’s Jubilee in 2012. Her Majesty chose the menu herself, which showed off the culinary delights of the North with Kilnsey trout, Nidderdale lamb and a Yorkshire cheese plate.
What top tip would you give to an event organiser?
Communication is key! Nothing is too much trouble for our venue, we want to deliver an exceptional conference and event experience and to do that we encourage our clients to be as open as possible to communicate their wants and needs.
Name: James Abbott-Donnelly
Job title: Director and Events Manager
What do you enjoy the most about working at your venue?
It has to be the variety, every event is different. Working in this industry means we get to meet a host of conference organisers from across the globe, each of them having their own unique vision for their event. Being able to work at a venue that can bring these to life is really fulfilling.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
I actually started my career working with the Police. Moving from scientific work to event manager is a pretty swift gear change, but I have no regrets!
What top tip would you give to an event organiser?
Lists, lists, lists. Think of it like a flight, a pilot always goes through a checklist before take off. Make sure you have every element and detail written down to be prepared for every eventuality.
Name: Lydia Kirton and Emily Anstruther
Job title: Event Managers
What do you enjoy the most about working at your venue?
The wow factor of our building. Aspire is steeped in history, it was once the original home of Leeds General Infirmary and then the site of the Yorkshire Penny Bank. It is now an inspirational space for events with exceptional, original features. Seeing the look on our clients faces when they walk through the door is priceless.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
Emily – I went to University in Austin, Texas. I studied Event and Business Management, but the landscape is very different to that of Leeds City Centre!
Lydia – Not quite Austin, Texas but every day I get to go home to my pet chihuahua, Apricot!
What top tip would you give to an event organiser?
Write everything down. There’s no such thing as too much information so make a note of everything to ensure your finished event is exactly what you’re looking for.
Name: Tara Grant
Job title: Venue Manager
What do you enjoy the most about working at your venue?
Each day is completely different. The Terrace boasts a lot of space, both internally and externally so we can cater to both small and large events and really personalise our space to fit the needs of each client. We might look like a corporate venue at first glance, but lots can be done to make it really special.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
In my spare time, I’m commissioned to create fine art pet portraits.
What top tip would you give to an event organiser?
Try to inject some personality into your event to set it apart from other conferences that your delegates have attended in the past. A smile can go a really long way and if you can carry that positive energy into your event, then you’re ensuring a memorable event experience.
Name: Tracey Gibson
Job title: Reservations Coordinator
What do you enjoy the most about working at your venue?
We welcome a host of new customers through our doors every day and we work tirelessly to ensure they have the best experience to secure future bookings. Welcoming returning customers back to Horizon is like seeing a friend. They know we can deliver what we promise and can create an event that is functional for their needs. Their confidence in our abilities is really humbling.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
I’ve got a certificate in rally driving. If anything, it is evidence of how much I enjoy fast paced environments and that I’m not afraid to take risks.
What top tip would you give to an event organiser?
Have a vision of what you want your event to look like before visiting our venue. We invite all conference organisers to ask us as many questions as possible so we can ensure we are doing everything we can to help them deliver a standout event.
Thackray Museum of Medicine
Name: Jonnie Darmody
Job title: Visitor Experience Team Leader
What do you enjoy the most about working at your venue?
It has to be the team at Thackray Museum of Medicine, who are all so passionate about our venue and medical science and come in everyday with smiles on their faces. It’s the reason so many people have progressed their careers here, we’ve been able to retain an excellent team who care about the museum and its clientele.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
I have a degree in Geology, so if you have any questions about rocks – I’m your man.
What top tip would you give to an event organiser?
Make the most of what your venue has to offer. At Thackray Museum of Medicine, we have an excellent conference offering but we also benefit from having a working museum and community hub all under one roof, both of which can enhance your conference. We can host private tours and have a number of activities to ensure your delegates have fun after an informative event.
Name: Martin Smith
Job title: Studio Technical Manager
What do you enjoy the most about working at your venue?
Everyday is different. While we are a dance school first, we’ve worked with an array of businesses that aren’t directly linked with the entertainment industry and delivered standout conferences and events.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
My Grandfather was one of the first people to join the bomb squad during WWII.
What top tip would you give to an event organiser?
Come armed with your wants and needs. For a venue, knowing what a conference organiser wants to achieve is the most valuable piece of information we can have!
Name: Paul Abbott
Job title: Director
What do you enjoy the most about working at your venue?
Being able to work with and support creative individuals. We’re an education provider, so we work closely with students as well as professionals and community art groups. Our experience with all these different groups influences how we work with conference organisers and allows us to give each event a spark.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
I have a PHD in Composition so I’m incredibly passionate about music, however I think this is a testament for anyone looking for a career in the conference industry that an events qualification isn’t essential. As long as you can harness your creativity in a measured and sensible way and develop strong relationships, then you can pursue a career in conferences and events.
What top tip would you give to an event organiser?
Let us get to know you. Of course, we can deliver packaged up events but if we are able to get to know who you are as a client we can create something that we know will achieve your goals.
Name: Bally Afzal
Job title: Operations & Social Impact Manager
What do you enjoy the most about working at your venue?
It has to be the team. We’re a diverse group that strives to deliver high standards of service. We all have a keen interest in events, so we like to get stuck into each event and work as an extension of the organisers team to deliver a standout conference.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
When I first started at Shine I wasn’t in a great place. But their faith in my ability to change and make a positive contribution helped me be the person I am today.
What top tip would you give to an event organiser?
Welcome your delegates with a smile. Radiate good feelings and happiness and work with your venue to create an inspiring event atmosphere. Positivity is infectious!
