A Flair For VIP Events

Mid-year in events is one of the most underused moments in an event career, and in this episode I talk about why it actually matters, what’s likely driving any restlessness you might feel right now, and how to stop letting the second half of your year default into exactly the same shape as the first. If you’ve been busy but not quite moving forward, paid but not properly, or just looking at your c...

This is a personal episode this week talking through what I thought my career would look like and what it is now. It's nice to reflect on how different things are now compared to what I imagined when I first entered the industry. Somehow I ended up building something that feels more "me" because of it. In this episode, I talk about the career I planned, living and working in Shanghai...

If you’ve been working in events for a while and you’re ready for the next level, this one’s for you. The skills that got you here are real, but they’re not the same ones that get you into the rooms where the biggest events are being shaped. Those environments require a different kind of thinking on top of what you already know...more strategic, more commercially aware, more attuned to what an eve...

Formula 1 isn’t just a sport or series of events anymore. It’s a global brand in itself. In this episode, I break down why F1 has grown so much recently, how social media and brand partnerships have reshaped it, and what that means for careers in events. From hospitality and sponsorship to agencies, teams, and freelance roles, this looks into career opportunities for event pros. And I talk a bit o...

Should you go freelance in events? This episode is a more honest look at what freelance actually is — what it gives you, what it costs, and why it’s not always the “next step.” For anyone navigating freelance, employment, or somewhere in between. P.S. You may notice a small change to the podcast name in the coming months! Just to align with the three topics I now cover - major events, VIP manageme...

A VIP brief is a document, a training and communication. It is the infrastructure behind every great guest experience, and getting it right is one of the things that separates good event professionals from great ones. In this episode, I walk you through my framework for building one: who needs to know what and why, the six things I consider non-negotiable, and how to get the information when nobod...

In Part Two, we get real about the stuff mid-career event professionals don’t usually say out loud. The comparison spiral, the financial realities, the identity shift when you realize you don’t want to be the person you were ten years ago anymore. And the quiet decision point where your career either drifts or becomes intentional. This is for anyone whose event industry ambition feels different la...

In Part one of a two part episode, I'm talking about mid-career in events. It's rarely talked about, but almost everyone feels it. In this episode, I talk about the quiet shift that happens once competence and skills alone are no longer enough, why working harder stops moving the needle, why visibility and positioning matter more than output, and why many capable event professionals confus...

Ever wondered how people actually work at the Olympics? In this episode, I break down the real pathways into the world’s biggest sporting event from Organising Committees and suppliers to national teams and volunteer programmes, and I share practical steps you can take right now to work there. Whether you’re a hobbyist dreaming of an Olympic experience or an event professional looking to add it to...

You can be booked, trusted, and good at events and still feel stuck on the outside of major ones. In this episode, I break down how access to major events actually works, why applications and generic networking rarely move the needle, and what shifts when you stop circling opportunities and start positioning yourself inside them. My new masterclass is next week, February 3! It's a more in depth, 9...

What if the fastest way into iconic events isn’t waiting to be hired but learning how those worlds were built first? In this episode, I’m taking you to Paris and inside the history of fashion to unpack what Fashion Week, legacy brands, and iconic environments can teach us about event careers today. From Coco Chanel and Russian influence to Place Vendôme, runway origins, and why calendars don’t mov...

A festive and relaxed end of year episode! I’m sharing answers to fun Christmas questions that nobody asked, reflecting on the personal and professional highs and lows of 2025, and pulling together the key lessons and takeaways I’m carrying into 2026. A simple episode that you may find relatable to help you wind down the year! If you’re serious about working at iconic events and you want to go dee...

How do you go from junior to senior event pro? This isn’t about how many events you’ve done or how long you’ve been in the industry. It’s about what actually moves you from junior to senior in iconic events - how you show up, how you communicate, how people experience you, and the mindset that makes them trust you. If you’re ready to take bigger roles, lead with confidence, and finally be seen as...

If you’ve been feeling like your career’s slowed down but you’re still capable, still delivering, just not growing the way you used to, this one’s for you. I’ve been in that space where work’s going fine on paper, but inside, it feels flat. You know you’re capable of more and want more, but it’s not quite clicking. In this episode, I’m talking about what that plateau really means, why it’s normal,...

Guest lists at events are power, politics, and multimillion dollar relationships. In this episode, I am talking about how last minute additions, surprise VIPs, and table changes (…11 times…) can make or break an iconic event. Learn how to stay in control, keep sponsors happy, and protect the reputations that matter all while looking completely unbothered. If you want to get hired for bigger gigs o...

Front of house can make or break any VIP or iconic event. In this episode, I walk you through my approach to prepping FOH teams from volunteers and last minute temps to uniform checks, dishing out their tasks, and empowering the team. You’ll get my insider tips that ensure your team shows up confident, aligned, and ready to deliver a seamless guest experience every time. If you’re serious about wo...

Freelance life in major events isn’t glamorous all the time, but it’s uniquely rewarding. From schedule freedom and rapid growth to isolation, temporary teams, and hitting ceilings, I share what’s really happening. Whether you’re freelancing, aspiring to break into iconic events, or just curious about freelance realities, I'll talk you through my highs and lows of being a freelancer in the events...

The iconic events ecosystem isn’t like corporate events, and if you’ve been trying to land these event roles with a corporate mindset, that’s why you’re getting stuck. In this episode, I’m breaking down what I mean when I say “iconic events” (and what they are not), why these events operate completely differently from the corporate events world, how careers are actually built in this ecosystem and...

Seating celebrities isn’t just “putting names on a table.” It’s a weird mix of social chess, PR strategy, and avoiding certain people making awkward eye contact across a room. In this episode, I’m giving insight into how seating actually works at galas, fashion shows, and awards shows and the little tricks that keep the people happy, the brand partnerships front and center, and the photographers g...

Welcome to The IconicEvents Series, a special segment of A Flair for VIP Events. In Episode 7, I sit down with Cat Kevern, Freelance event professional and managing director of Electric Cat to talk about what it's like working at the Olympics, how to get involved, the best and worst parts of a long major event, and even a little about festivals! Connect with Cat:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedi...

The arrivals process is the part of the event that can feel like absolute chaos, and if you get it wrong, your whole first impression is bad. But when you nail it, it’s magical. Give me a red carpet any day. In this episode, I’m walking you through the VIP and celebrity arrivals at red carpets, premieres, and luxury events with a few of my arrivals tips and tricks. Get a copy of my NEW FREEBIE: Th...

Welcome to The IconicEvents Series, a special segment of A Flair for VIP Events. In Episode 6, I sit down with Maria-Eliza Radu, Event Freelancer to talk about what it's like working at the Marvels of Saudi Orchestra Shows in London and Tokyo as an Artist Liaison, how she got involved, how big events have helped her early career path and more! Connect with Maria:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedi...

I’m sharing the real stories from my event career — the moments that forced me to reset, pivot, expand, or completely rethink how I show up in this industry. These weren’t glossy highlight reel wins. They were the  "maybe I should just move to a tropical island and quit events forever"  kind of moments. But I stayed. I evolved. And each of these moments taught me something that shaped how I work....

What’s it like working at a major sports event? In this episode, I share a grounded look at the rhythms, realities, and relationships that shape the onsite experience. From who’s in the room (think agencies, partners, teams) to what a day might look like from start to finish, I'll help you understand the system behind the scenes. If you're curious about working your first major gig or simply want...

You’ve felt the stir. You’ve named the misalignment. Now what In Part 2 of this two part episode on event career evolution, I’m sharing the next phase: what to  do  with the clarity you’ve gained. We’ll talk about how to lead with your edge, soft launch your evolution, reclaim your rates and roles, and shift into new spaces. Whether you’re exploring new sectors, raising your visibility, or reimagi...