My Event World - Marc Flay

I got into the events industry because after years of working in the hotel industry, I decided to broaden my horizons and delve into the more fast paced and exciting world of event management – it’s a move I’ve never regretted.

I have worked here since November 2007. Although it seems longer than that because my e-mail account had been set up three weeks before I started so I spent my first day going through hundreds of e-mails.

I was attracted to this particular role because I wanted a job that gave me the freedom to develop my managerial, operational and planning skills in a versatile venue because it means every day is different.

Not many people know that I served Tiger Woods two portions of beef during the Ryder World Cup in 2002.

My worst experience at an event was having 2,500 cars stuck in a grassed car park and being close to having to pull one of our biggest and most popular events. Fortunately, unlike many other events, it didn’t resort to this and the event was a huge success.

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s to plan. Plan for everything you can control and then you have time to deal with any last minute hiccups.

The best event I’ve been involved in was Five Stars Scanner Appeal in 2006, which was organised by Max Beesley and Ryan Giggs. Robbie Williams turned up unexpectedly and landed his helicopter right next to the marquee we were all in.

If I could do it all over again I would become a surfing instruction on Bondi Beach.

The one thing I can’t stand is negativity – there’s always a solution but often people are too quick to say no instead of taking the time to come up with a positive solution.

Outside of work I spend my time eating good food, drinking fine wine, and cycle racing to keep myself fit. I ride on average 12,000 miles which is the equivalent of cycling to Buenos Aires and back.

If money were no object I would buy a luxury yacht and sail around the world in style.

The one thing I can’t do my job without is my mobile phone. On event days it can ring a up to 100 times, being in constant contact with the team and event organiser is key.

If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry it would be operations director of the Tour de France, because it’s a sport and event combined, both of which are close to my heart.

If I ruled the event industry every person, from the most junior to the most senior, would get praise, recognition and be rewarded for their part in organising a successful event.

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