Michael Chidzey of Chillisauce.co.uk talks to London Metropolitan University event management students about building a career in the event industry.

1. Building a career in the
events industry
Michael Chidzey | Head of Digital Marketing & PR |

2. Confession: I don’t organise
events

3. Chillisauce

4. Sponsorship
Product page: http://timwilliamson.org/

5. Participate in events
Office chair race:
http://blog.chillisauce.co.uk/category/chillisauce-office-chair-challenge/

6. Create interesting products
Further reading: http://www.gadling.com/2012/09/29/werewolf-hunterswanted-experience-not-required/

7. Building exclusive partnerships
Product page: http://hirethebigbrotherhouse.com

8. Engaging with communities
News: http://www.cheddarvalleygazette.co.uk/Cheddar-make-good-staghen-capital/story-19647818-detail/story.html

9. Stunts
Real Business: http://realbusiness.co.uk/article/22948-why-i-put-theboss-in-a-sandwich-board-for-days-around-london

10. Writing for relevant publications
Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-chidzey/35-waysto-enhance-your-w_b_3657599.html

11. Being in the news
World Record Bra: http://worldrecordbra.com

12. Raising money for charity
World Record Bra: http://worldrecordbra.com

13. Making the news
Further reading: http://www.leisurestats.com/what-your-choice-oftechnology-says-about-you/

14. Plan of action
#1 – what I wish I knew when I was
at University

15. Plan of action
#2 – how to prepare for a career in
the events industry

16. Plan of action
#3 – how to stand out when
applying for positions

17. House rules.

18. Any questions tweet
@michaelchidzey

19. #1 – what I wish I knew when I was
at University

20. Build your online presence

21. Build authentic social profiles

22. Discover and share

23. Build relationships
Followerwonk: http://followerwonk.com/

24. Participate in communities
Boardreader: http://boardreader.com/

25. Q&As – be the expert

26. Create a blog
Wordpress: http://wordpress.com/ Further reading: http://www.problogger.net/

27. Guest blog
Further reading: http://www.problogger.net/

28. Write for publications

29. Write for publications

30. Build your offline presence

31. Get out and get noticed

32. Networking tips
Don’t spend the entire event following the
your hero around

33. Networking tips
Be generous: think about how can I help
this person

34. Networking tips
Think quality, not quantity

35. Networking tips
Dare to introduce yourself

36. Networking tips
Ask for introductions

37. Networking tips
Do what you say you will

38. Networking tips
Connect online after the event

39. Networking tips
Keep in touch, e.g. Google Alerts

40. Networking tips
If somebody helps you out,
acknowledge their time

41. The people around you now
matter (small world)

42. Chillisauce directors met at Leeds University

43. The internship

44. Event experience management module

45. Working in a team means
making everybody successful

46. Who are you competing against?

47. Who are you competing against?

48. Who are you competing against?

49. What is your thing?

50. Master skills that are in demand

51. #2 – how to prepare for a career in
the events industry

52. Why do you want to work in the
events industry?

53. Why do you want to work in the events
industry?
Make people happy
Growing industry
Opportunity to travel
Variety of the job
Creativity
Development
Social
Fun
Challenging

54. Research the sector
Tip: make a note of good companies
whether a job has been filled or there are
no jobs

55. Ways into the event industry

56. Work experience, apprenticeships,
internships & volunteering

57. Questions to ask yourself
- What do you want to get out of the
experience?
- Talk to as many people as possible
- Impress
- Don’t feel owed
- Can you afford it?

58. Employment

59. Job hunting methods
- Industry mags
- Search engines (local companies)
- Recruitment agencies
- Google Alerts
- Lecturers
- Job hunting websites

60. Create a Killer CV and cover letter
Your marketing documents
- Tailor to the company
- Find the name of the right person
- How do you think 99% of CVs are delivered?
(deliver by post or hand)
- Is this piece of info going to get me an
interview?

61. #3 – how to stand out when
applying for positions

62. Understand the position
Not just the job title, but the components
Read between the lines of the job ads
What do you need to be passionate about?

63. What is the potential employer
looking for?
KPIs
Save money
Save time
Add value
Cost of being there

64. Do your research
In which year was the company established?
How many people does the company employ?
What is the core markets?
What is the product range?
Who are the company’s key competitors?
Take notes with you…

65. Focus on questions rather than
answers

66. Prepare for obvious questions

67. Say ‘thank you’

68. Work hard

69. It isn’t easy

70. Never miss an opportunity to be
awesome

71. Any questions tweet
@michaelchidzey

72. Thanks!
Michael Chidzey | Head of Digital Marketing & PR |