Pulling off a magical event is all in attention to detail
Kerith Hulme is the founder and CEO of event logistics company Soldiers Group
What is events logistics?
Events logistics is the specialised focus on a guest’s experience, ensuring that the experience is smooth and enjoyable. This covers receiving the invitation, the venue management, travel assistance, event registration and gifting. Small things, like ensuring that people’s special dietary requirements are met, make a huge difference to attendees, and the human touch is what people remember. It requires a keen sense of organisation coupled with a genuine interest in people, as well as the skillset for dealing with guests, suppliers and potential challenges. In a nutshell, it’s making sure people have a great experience at every step of the event journey.
How do you cope with the pressure of making your clients’ dreams come true?
I remember reading a New York Times article on the most stressful careers to be involved in. Event manager was in the top five, alongside paediatric surgeon and airline pilot. That was the first time I realised how highly pressured the industry is.
I’ve always thought the pressure was normal and learnt to cope with it. We have this extraordinary chance to work on huge projects with fantastic clients, and that comes with the responsibility of delivering what you have promised to your client. I focus on making sure every guest has the same wonderful experience they were promised.
People are the most important part of everything you do. How do you ensure that your team is up to the challenge?
This is the crux of our business — our people are our only product, and every single person affects the reputation of the company. We focus on training, helping new recruits understand and appreciate the responsibility that comes with this. We look at elements that may not initially make sense, such as leadership and personal development, and as the team starts to work in the industry they begin to understand the basis of the training. We encourage pride in what we do, and endeavour to make our team understand that what they are doing today is laying the groundwork for their future.
What do you look for when recruiting staff?
Eagerness to learn, humility and a genuine enjoyment of working with people.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
This changed constantly! If I look back now, the events industry really does tick all of the boxes of what I should be doing — and being a business owner completes the circle for me. I have always had an insatiable curiosity about the world, and I’ve always loved people, so what I do is the perfect means of keeping things different every day.
What do you love most about your work?
Knowing we have had the chance to help people find their true potential, and in so doing find their first job, is really quite special. I love how many of our team go on to join the events industry, despite their fields of study. Some of these jobs come from our clients, who have so enjoyed working with someone that they create a job for them. It just shows that we have put people together who may never have otherwise met, and everyone is a winner. Knowing we can affect people’s lives is my favourite part of what I do.