{"id":7254,"date":"2023-12-12T14:39:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-12T14:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/live-event-concept.pantheonsite.io\/insights\/inspirational-woman-kate-connell\/"},"modified":"2025-06-13T10:23:26","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T10:23:26","slug":"inspirational-woman-kate-connell","status":"publish","type":"insights","link":"https:\/\/www.eventconcept.com\/us\/insights\/inspirational-woman-kate-connell\/","title":{"rendered":"Inspirational woman : Kate Connell"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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As Event Concept’s <\/strong>Project Director, Kate oversees the planning of our complex <\/strong>and major events, as well as heading up our team of in house freelance producers.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Drawing on over 15 years of experience producing high-profile, multi-faceted events across the UK, Europe and globally,\u00a0Kate\u00a0<\/a>specializes in the planning, design and delivery of complex, large scale events with a particular focus on conferences and live experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a strong eye for detail, a strategic mindset and an unflappable nature, Kate brings a wealth of knowledge and a methodological approach to any project and enjoys nothing more than leading a team of experienced Producers and Project Managers to deliver extraordinary projects precisely and efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kate Connell, Project Director, Event Concept<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Originally published in M&IT. Read the original article here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Tell us a bit about yourself, background and current role<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been working across events and theater since I was 17! My first experience was as a volunteer at a couple of festivals both as a stage manager and as a local crew assisting the lighting team. I fell in love with the buzz of live events pretty much immediately but originally didn\u2019t even realize it was something you could do as a career!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I abandoned a degree in psychology halfway through to move to London to study technical theater and stage management at LAMDA, and actually first encountered Event Concept on a work placement in my second year there. I then started at EC as a freelance lighting technician, before coming on board full-time as a production design assistant, and the rest is history!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my time at EC, I have gone through the ranks from PDA to producer, and a couple of years as an account director heading up some of our financial services and media clients, before establishing our creative studio back in 2018. I quickly also tagged a budding content department onto that, before adding digital just in time for the pandemic to hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After successfully recruiting some amazing leads to take over Creative and Content I am now very much enjoying being back in the role I enjoy the most, as Project Director, leading a team of producers and overseeing the delivery of our major events, as well as sitting on the leadership team at EC as we continue to grow both in the UK and globally.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Did you ever sit down and plan your career?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No, not as such. I\u2019ve been incredibly fortunate to work for a company that believes strongly in entrepreneurship and that provides a lot of autonomy, allowing me to explore new routes of my career at each turn (and lucky enough for each of those turns to have been successful!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have always wanted to be at the forefront of delivery, surrounded by like-minded, driven, and knowledgeable teammates, and in a buzzing, creative environment. Outside of that, I have always been willing to turn my hand at the task that needed doing as I firmly believe there is no such thing as wasted experience. That said\u2026 I am incredibly competitive as far as career planning goes. I guess I mainly always wanted to make sure I was the best at what I did, and part of that drive was always a desire to keep progressing. It was definitely more of an organic journey than a step-by-step plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you faced any career challenges along the way and how did you overcome these?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I suppose the main challenge I\u2019ve faced has been keeping up with the ever-changing needs of a rapidly growing firm. I have worn a lot of different hats during my time at EC, sometimes multiple hats at once \u2013 constantly managing the balance of delivering in my day-to-day role, and fulfilling my role on the leadership team, all whilst keeping an eye on the next challenge coming round the corner which might need by focus and attention. A juggling act for sure but one that always keeps me on my toes and feeling challenged, which is so important to make sure you always continue growing, both in your career and as a person.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What has been your biggest career achievement to date?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Keeping the company going during COVID-19 and all the challenges that came with that. Not only keeping going but coming out of that period all guns blazing then delivering our biggest year to date. All without losing sight of the core values of the company, the kind of place of work we want it to be, and the kind of projects we want to keep on delivering, both in the UK and globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would also have to list the establishment of the creative studio at EC \u2013 it was something I fought hard for, for years and I\u2019m delighted to see that department now independently thriving under the wonderful leadership of Layla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there is my team and colleagues \u2013 both current and past. I\u2019m so proud of seeing my previous teammates thriving in other agencies or sectors of the creative industries, it gives me a real kick to see people who came to EC completely green and new to the industry now spreading their wings and shining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last but not least we have delivered some really exciting global events over the past few years of course! Especially seeing core events and clients returning year on year, proving that those relationships are as solid as ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What one thing do you believe has been a major factor in you acheiving success?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My absolute refusal to believe something isn\u2019t possible and being stubborn enough to make anything happen. I was raised to believe there were absolutely no boundaries to what could be achieved, and with the confidence to have a go at anything, I definitely wouldn\u2019t be where or who I am today without that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What top tips would you give to an individual who is trying to excel in their career in events?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n