Central Chat Manchester Central

In part two of our 'Building a Career in the Events Industry' series, we put the spotlight on two operational events specialists at the pinnacle of their careers who highlight their passion for the fast-paced industry and the ‘buzz’ of creating incredible experiences.

Samantha Pike-Devlin is joined by Caroline Rogers, Major Events Specialist and Sports Director, who was most recently Head of Villages and Venues at Team England working on the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and Sarah Bickerton, Director of Operations and Event Delivery at Manchester Central.

Caroline and Sarah chat to Samantha about their career development, what they love about the event industry and the advice they would give to anyone wishing to pursue a career in events.
  Connect with Caroline and Sarah:  Caroline | Sarah
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  Find out more about the venue on our website

It’s no secret that over the last few years, the event industry has taken a hit when it comes to retaining talent due to the uncertainty that the pandemic brought to live events.

So, as one of the UK’s leading event venues, we wanted to shine a light on the topic and do our bit to showcase the many different roles that are available within the industry and share some steps to building your career as an event professional! 

In this episode, Samantha Pike-Devlin is joined by Lucy Pittaway, Senior Events Management Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University and Rebecca Levett, who completed the placement year of her events management degree at Manchester Central and is now Event Manager and Host at Routes – organiser of world-renowned airline and airport networking events.

Lucy and Rebecca chat to Samantha about each step of the process - from education and training to developing and furthering skillsets. 
  Find out more about MMU Events: Website | Twitter 
  Connect with Lucy and Rebecca:  Lucy | Rebecca
  Follow Manchester Central: Twitter | Instagram
  Find out more about the venue on our website

After a few months break, we’re back! 

We’re so excited to continue chatting to guests about getting back to business and how it feels to once again plan, attend and experience live events.
This is a particularly special episode, as not only is it relaunching the series, but it features a guest that we were extremely excited to get the chance to talk to… the new leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig.
Our guest host and CEO, Shaun Hinds, joined Bev to chat all things Manchester; how she feels about being the first female and openly gay council leader, the reasons why she continues to call the city home having grown up in Northern Ireland, and of course, her ambitions for the city.
  Find out more about Manchester City Council and Bev: Website | Twitter | LinkedIn
  Follow Manchester Central: Twitter | Instagram
  Find out more about the venue on our website

In this new series, hear us chat to guests about how it feels to once again plan, attend and experience live events. 

As 2021 comes to a close, Samantha takes a look back at the year and recaps on some of the key highlights both at Manchester Central and in the events industry.

The return of live events, the rise of hybrid and virtual, increased awareness of sustainability in the industry... it's been a year to remember.
  Follow Manchester Central: Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn
  Find out more about the venue on our website

In this new series, hear us chat to guests about how it feels to once again plan, attend and experience live events. 

In this episode, Samantha Pike-Devlin is  joined by Heather Lishman – Association Director at the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers, more commonly known in the industry as ABPCO.

Heather chats to me about the growth of the association, how they’ve adapted to the changes in the industry with the launch of their new event ‘The Festival of Learning’ and how they are beginning to share their knowledge with non-members.
  Find out more about ABPCO and the Festival of Learning: Website | Twitter
  Follow Manchester Central: Twitter | Instagram
  Find out more about the venue on our website

In this new series, hear us chat to guests about how it feels to once again plan, attend and experience live events.

Taking over on hosting duties once again is our CEO, Shaun Hinds, who chats to Tim Else - Founder and Managing Director of What Else Events.

Tim has has launched a brand-new event – ‘Safety, Health and Wellbeing Live’ - which will be taking over our Central Hall in February 2022.
He chats to Shaun about how he’s found the process of planning and launching a new event during these times, how he chose the locations and venues for his new event and his view on hybrid and virtual events.
  Find out more about Safety, Health and Wellbeing Live: Website | Twitter |LinkedIn
  Follow Manchester Central: Twitter | Instagram
  Find out more about the venue on our website