| By taking the leap to study at three of the best Universities in the world in England and Australia for Tourism, Hospitality, Events and Sustainability; Meg is currently following her passions and love for travel and events to create a meaningful career working around the world to make beautiful and sustainable experiences. |
- How long have you worked in the events industry and what keeps you interested in it?
I started in the full service wedding industry back in 2013 and loved it from the very beginning. As time went on and I started volunteering or working in different aspects of the industry, I became passionate about using events as a channel for tourism to destinations that can benefit from the revenue to the area as well as sustainability. I may not work with flowers or brides anymore but I want to make the events industry as a whole more sustainable for future generations to enjoy! - Best (and worst?) moments working in the events industry?
Best – meeting all of my #eventprofs network. I have met some truly amazing professionals from all walks of life all over the world.
Worst – Struggling with advocating for D&I and accessibility – as someone with a hidden disability I want to make it easier for inclusion for attendees and professionals but it can be quite a bit of emotional labor! - What was the last event on which you worked?
The Pint of Science series in the United Kingdom. Universities come together across the country to host science talks. I volunteered to be on the University of Exeter’s team as an event host as that is where I am doing my Masters of Research in Sustainable Futures. - From your experience, what’s the best way to utilise tech at an event?
Tech has been able to take a ‘zoom meeting’ and turn it into an experience. With hundreds of virtual events a month to choose from, tech can give the event a marketing strategy that makes it more unique and attractive from competing events. It can also create inclusivity with global attendees as well as create subtitle options and recorded events to share talks to continue discussions post-event. - We all learn from our mistakes! What was the biggest lesson you learned from a mistake since being in the industry?
As someone who is a perfectionist – mistakes can be crippling! I have learned that it is not shameful to make mistakes and that it is better to be open and honest about it with your team rather than scrambling to fix it on your own. - What are you most looking forward to at Event Tech Live?
Listening to all of the amazing speakers! - What do events, such as ETL, mean to you?
It is a place to open doors on exchanges of information. With virtual events, I am meeting professionals from all over the world and exchanging ideas and thoughts. Every person has a unique lived experience personally and professionally and they bring different perspectives to the table that broaden my horizons. - What can our delegates expect to take away from your session at ETL?
Hopefully how event tech has the opportunity to leverage their knowledge to make events more accessible – also to be able to listen to thoughts and discussions from my amazing fellow panelists. - Which one piece of tech couldn’t you live without?
My phone! I have lived in different countries and am constantly on the go – It keeps me connected to my loved ones as well as giving me the tools to work from anywhere in the world. The amount of apps - Most pointless tech you have purchased?
Sadly, my tablet that was intended to duplicate as a laptop! It was light for travelling but then when the pandemic arrived and we all merged to working from home, it ended up being difficult working on multiple projects on a tiny screen. I have since then upgraded to a new laptop and will keep the tablet as a dual screen set up – but what I thought was a smart purchase to travel light ended up hindering my productivity at home!
Join Meg for her session: Why We Need Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in Events
at ETL US & Canada on June 8th on the Main Stage – Book your ticket here
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