An International Events Manager’s Introduction to the Exciting Australian Events Industry
Ke events • < 1 minute read •
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Claudine Hidalgo, Events Manager, KE Creative Events
Pack your bags, folks! We are about to embark on a thrilling journey that transcends borders and ventures into the heart of the Australian Event Industry. Heading up the Ke. APAC office in the Phillipines, my journey to the land down under has been nothing short of amazing. In this blog post, I will take you along as I share my experiences and learnings from my introduction to the vibrant and dynamic event scene in Australia.
With over a decade of experience as an event professional in the Philippines, I thought I had seen and done it all. However, the moment I stepped into the world of Ke. Creative, I realized just how much more there was to learn. The level of professionalism and the calibre of projects I encountered were beyond my wildest expectations. It was as if I had entered a whole new world of event management—one filled with top-tier opportunities and a level of excellence that has changed how I view events.
My dive into the Australian event industry hit a high note with my first project as the lead: a massive conference in the heart of Melbourne, boasting over 300 delegates. Suddenly, I found myself juggling flights, accommodation, and ensuring everyone registered for their desired social events – tasks I had never taken on before. I owe a big thanks to my boss, Nadia, for having faith in me and entrusting me with this challenge. Although I have run events before with thousands of attendees, I have never been tasked with flights and accommodation bookings, which was a huge undertaking, it is safe to say it was quite the learning curve!
The week leading up to the event was an emotional rollercoaster. As the days dwindled, the to-do list seemed to grow longer, and I found myself juggling last-minute tasks and responding to a huge influx of requests from delegates. It was a stormy situation in the lead-up, far from the cliché “calm before the storm.” But then as the event unfolded, it was as if the universe gifted me with a sense of serenity. The chaos of the pre-event storm gave way to a surprising calmness, and the satisfaction of seeing the event run seamlessly was beyond rewarding. It was a reminder for me that in the hectic world of event management, the storm may rage before, but the calm within it can be surprisingly fulfilling.
In hindsight, my journey from my home in the Philippines to the heart of the Australian event industry has been nothing short of an adventure. It is a testament to the boundless possibilities that technology and dedication can bring to the world of event management. From remote coordination to orchestrating seamless experiences for hundreds of delegates, this journey has reaffirmed my belief in the power of determination and teamwork. I thank my team members for helping me when I needed it, as I would not have been able to push through all the challenges that were ahead of me.
As I continue this exciting path Ke. Creative has given me, I look forward to new challenges, living through fresh experiences, and the opportunity to learn and share the magic of event management with you all.
