Richard Gee

The biggest mistake event companies make? … Not knowing their target market. Too many companies think they need to chase every opportunity, even if it's outside their lane. One company I worked with specialised in professional services events. Yet, they wanted to jump into the leisure sector. Why? Because they thought there was more money over there. But here’s the reality. Venturing into unknown markets without knowledge is risky. You don’t understand the audience, their needs, or how to serve them. This leads to wasted time, missed opportunities, and often failure. There’s a smarter approach. Stick to the lane you know. Your expertise, reputation, and success are already established there. Focus on complementary markets that align with your strengths. Don’t jump into a new sector just because it looks promising. Understand your target market inside out, and success will follow. Ready to refine your focus? Let’s talk about how to sharpen your strategy.

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The Christmas Decorators know how to create show-stopping installations! We are the elves behind the scenes 🎄 👉 when you walk through the streets, see those twinkling lights and start to feel 'Christmassy'. 👉 when you look through the window of a festively decorated shop. 👉 when you sit to eat a meal at a restaurant filled with merriment, baubles and stars. 👉 When you come home from a long day at work and approach your cosy decorated home, looking like it belongs in a hallmark Christmas film 👉 When you take a photo with family at your local Christmas markets and share it to social We are there, in the background!!

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The events and entertainment industry continually changes. We know that first hand. This article did surprise me on the extent of the entertainment venue closures. Over the past four years the UK has lost 37% of its clubs, which works out at about 10 clubs closing each month, according to research by the Nighttime Industries Association. Is this the beginning of the end for the nighttime entertainment industry? https://lnkd.in/eGhGQEvC #entertainment #entertainmentindustry #events

It's taken me a bit by surprise... But, maaaan, I really love this industry! Can't quite believe how many responses we've had to our sustainability survey already, and they keep coming in. An enormous thank you to every single person that's already taken part 💚 The survey is open for another 72-ish hours and we genuinely believe that every voice matters when it comes to understanding progress in the sector. Insights will contribute to our next Temperature Check report, so the more respondents, the more insights. And the more insights? Well - the more useful isla can be in helping to guide and shape progress 💡 With that in mind, I want to hear from my #eventprofs network. Have your voice heard. It matters. So tell us... What’s driving your sustainability efforts? What’s standing in your way? How are you making progress? And who's responsibility is it anyway?! 👇 Link below to take part 👇 PS - Be in with a chance to win actual cash for taking part. There are four chances to 🏆win £50🏆 (or equivalent currency) simply for sharing your thoughts. Not a bad bonus!

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What a whirlwind week navigating the incredible worlds of Event Tech Live in London and IBTM in Barcelona! 🌍✨ Switching roles between exhibitor and attendee provided a fascinating 360-degree view of our industry. At Event Tech Live, the Kampfire team was front and center, showcasing our latest innovations. Then in Barcelona, we flipped the script and dove deep into the event landscape as attendees. One key takeaway that resonated across both conferences? The critical importance of post-event engagement. In our fast-paced digital world, the real magic happens after the last keynote, the final handshake, and the closing remarks. It's about nurturing connections and transforming brief interactions into meaningful relationships. The energy, the insights, the connections - these conferences are more than just events. They're catalysts for innovation and collaboration. #EventTech #EventIndustry #KampfireInnovation #NetworkingMatters #EventProfs #EventMarketing #EventManagement #EventTechnology #IBTM #EventEngagement #EventSolutions #TechInnovation #PostEventEngagement #EventPlanning #EventROI #EventInnovation #ConferenceTech #DigitalEvents #EventNetworking 

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The event’s over, but the work is far from done.... Guests have left, production has rolled out, and the site teams are clearing the last remnants of what was once a bustling, vibrant space. But for those of us in the live events industry, this is where the real grind continues. Final checks, post-event reports, site handovers, and making sure every last detail is wrapped up before heading into the next event—it’s a process that often goes unseen but is just as critical as the event itself. This image sums up the post-event blur—a mix of exhaustion, pride, and reflection. It’s the moment when the adrenaline fades, and you finally step back to process everything that happened. The long hours, the split-second decisions, the challenges, and the team effort that got you through it all. It’s not glamorous, and it’s rarely acknowledged, but it’s a reminder of the relentless commitment it takes to deliver something extraordinary. The work continues. The lessons are learned. The next event is waiting. #LiveEvents #PostEvent #EventLife #FinishStrong #Safety

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During the BLAST Premier Spring Final in Wembley Arena on Friday, we revealed prize pool details, event locations and formats for the 2025 Counter-Strike tournament series. Andrew Haworth, VP of Ecosystems for BLAST, Valve corporation and Riot Games, said: “2025 is shaping up to be BLAST’s most exciting year to date. We are delighted to bring North America its first Major in seven years next summer. Austin, Texas is renowned for hosting the biggest and best music and entertainment events in the world. We are proud to bring esports and Counter-Strike to this world-class city, with a best-in-class arena to match in the Moody Center. “From 2025 onwards BLAST Premier fans will have more broadcast hours, more events and more teams to sink their teeth into than ever before. We are ripping up the script at BLAST from next year onwards by introducing a fresh and exciting format that will keep fans and players on the edge of their seats at all times. Valve ranking-based invites and regional qualifiers, alongside dynamic prize pools and incredible arena locations will mean the world’s best teams will be competing on a global platform. “As part of these changes, we have created stronger financial incentives for teams and a framework that will mean the world’s best and in-form teams will be rewarded and encouraged to compete in BLAST Premier events. We have an ambition to support a sustainable ecosystem, which means BLAST will be investing $6 millions into competing Counter-Strike teams and their long-term future as part of our payment framework.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/dpZE7EPj

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Great post on why #location matters by ACC Liverpool The venue is often the foundation of a successful event. By focusing on location, we can drive not only attendance but also the quality of the attendee experience. What do you prioritise when selecting a location?

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Following hot on the heels of the States, the UK school holidays are now here so we've put together a list of ways that venues in the FEC space can capitalise on the increased free time from their customer bases and send footfall soaring 🚀 Topics covered include: - Marketing & Social Media Tactics - Themed Events - Traditional Marketing Tactics Take a look by clicking the link below 👇🏼

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How do you like to learn? What is the most effective way for you to consume your content to have it resonate and create a deeper impact with you? Diversity in learning styles is important to understand how it affects team member and messaging engagement. Thanks for having me Calum Di Lieto Have a listen, I hope it moves the conversation forward and creates acknowledgment that not one voice fits all. Live Group #audiencedna #diversity

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The event industry is getting greener! ♻️ Organisers are leading the charge, but need support for sustainable practices. Read more about how a national pilot scheme is prioritising sustainability for festivals and events 👇 https://bit.ly/3XtR4an

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I have been asked if the club will have a membership scheme, the answer is yes: #business #burlesque #cabaret #money #wealth #entrepreneur #investing #livemusic #fyp Membership Model Private Membership: Introduce an invitation-only membership that gives access to exclusive events, priority bookings. This could also extend to international venues, making the establishment a global “club” for the elite. Events for Members: Host members-only events such as wine tastings, private performances, and exclusive product launches, ensuring that the venue becomes synonymous with luxury and refinement. By focusing on providing unparalleled experiences that appeal to the upper-middle class and the elite, we differentiate the brand from other venues. The Products and Services we offer always emphasise quality, exclusivity, and sophistication. By adding an international component, we can scale the brand while still maintaining the individuality and uniqueness of each venue.

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Very interesting read in the FT about the meteoric rise of “competitive socialising” and its impact on the UK retail and leisure landscape. It’s fantastic to see so many great new concepts doing so well and the evolution of this relatively new trend that taps into people’s desire to share quality time with each other whilst sharing unforgettable experiences in new and innovative ways. Market insights: “There has been a 386% growth since 2021 in competitive socialising” (Cushman and Wakefield 2024) “The UK has seen a 455% increase in ‘Combo attractions’ venues offering more than one experience in the last 5 Years.” (Savills 2024) “75% of millennials choose experience over things and that desire has only grown” (Harris poll 2024) This shows us that consumers are choosing venues that offer out-of-home “experiences” over traditional nights out and it’s clear that the brands who provide a combination of attractions alongside and excellent F&B are winning in this market. I’m very much looking forward to seeing how this plays out in Europe and beyond and to announcing our own plans to be at the forefront of this exciting growth story with a brand new competitive socialising concept set to launch it’s first venue in the coming months alongside Flip Out, which continues to dominate the Family Entertainment Centre landscape. Watch this space! 🚀

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While August is often considered a key planning time for some in the UK and Europe, summer can be one of the busiest times of the year for the events industry. Ultimately, these busier times tend to vary by factors such as location, the seasons, and your sector. As a result of our global reach and client base, our model is built on being agile, adaptable, and ‘always on,’ ensuring we’re equipped to respond to time sensitive requests and changes, and brand new briefs. The latter is a trend we’re seeing is on the rise ongoing too, and so we’ve been putting this into practice more than ever. While team Sledge is prepped and ready to act as our clients' source of external support, we’re interested to know: how do you manage evolving and shortening lead times across projects? We’ve just shared a poll on this topic – head on over to the Sledge company page to have your say. #Sledge #eventplanning #projectplanning #leadtimes #eventproduction #contentproduction

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As the founder of The Events Consultant, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some incredible venues and event professionals. One service I’m particularly proud of is our Venue Health Check, which we’ve seen make a real difference for many venues in our network. When we do a Venue Health Check, we go deep into the venue’s operations, benchmarking them against industry standards and offering tailored advice to optimise everything—from sales processes to marketing and overall venue management. The results speak for themselves: venues become more efficient, bookings increase, and most importantly, the team feels empowered to reach new heights. I’ve always believed that continuous improvement is the key to success, and if you’re managing a venue or event space, a regular ‘health check’ could be one of the best investments you make for your business. If this sounds like something that could benefit your venue, I’d love to chat and see how we can help. Reach out to me directly, and let’s get your venue performing at its best! #VenueHealthCheck #VenueManagement #EventProfessionals #EventSuccess #BusinessGrowth #TheEventsConsultant #VenueOptimisation #EventIndustry #Eventprofs

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A Greener Future has produced some encouraging figures in their Festival Sustainability Report 💚 "Positive findings include bans on single-use plastic serve ware having increased from 54% in 2022 to 75% in 2023, a reduction in average waste per person per day (PPPD) from 0.75 kg to 0.5 kg, and more festivals going fully vegan or vegetarian." We as an industry have a long way to go, but it's great to read of many steps being taken in the right direction! #ethicalstaffing #festivals #sustainability

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Brand Insights in the Luxury Hospitality Sector I enjoyed sharing some insights on brands we've created at the Buell Hospitality Business Partner group yesterday. There are a lot of people in this group with highly relevant skills and experience to support the hospitality sector. #hospitality #brand #brainpower #businessgrowth

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Discover how The Events Consultant transforms event venues into thriving success stories with tailored strategies, comprehensive event management, and ongoing support. Explore proven results through our detailed case studies, including work with top London venues. Learn more about our approach and how we can help your venue achieve long-term growth #EventConsultant #EventManagement #VenueConsulting #EventStrategy #LondonVenues #EventPlanning #EventMarketing #EventSuccess #CaseStudies #EventIndustry #VenueSuccess #EventTrends #VenueGrowth #EventProfs #Venues #TheEventsConsultant

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On the 8th of November, I will deliver a sustainable events masterclass for Practically Perfect PA & The EA Campus. It will mesh my 25 years as an events organiser with my last three years of study to create a unique view of how and why the #eventsindustry must become more sustainable. As well as some high-level concept stuff, it will be packed with practical ideas, tips, tools and techniques. At its core, it will say: "The business events industry is one that must degrow if we are able to return and stay within our #planetaryboundaries. The most sustainable event is one that does not take place. The next most sustainable is an online event, or one with a significant online element. And lastly, it is one that looks to minimise its emissions and material consumption while providing as much value as possible." If this floats your boat, you can sign up using the link: https://lnkd.in/dacKwc5r The Masterclass will also be run a few times in 2025.

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