Event Industry News Podcast

Recorded at The ICC Wales courtesy of The Celtic Collection, host James Dickson is joined by guests Rachel Phillips, Regional Sales Director, The Celtic Collection, Rebecca Edwards- Symmons, Chief Executive at Commonwealth Games Wales, and Katrina Cookson and Sian Morse, Co-Founders of Hospitality & Events Network Wales to explore how Wales is uniting venues, sports bodies, and local businesses to compete in the global events market.

They discuss practical collaboration examples - from the Commonwealth Games program to rapid event pivots - and the value of networks, trade shows, and lasting legacies like the Tour.

The episode highlights The Celtic Collection, Team Wales initiatives, and the Hospitality & Events Network Wales, showing how shared contacts and joint promotion help attract international business and boost regional economies.

Thanks to the ICC Wales and The Celtic Collection for hosting these podcast recordings.

This episode of the Event Industry News Podcast is sponsored by Present Communications. Present provides broadcast-quality live, hybrid and virtual event production, trusted by organisations where reliability really matters. From corporate town halls and conferences to high-profile live streams, they design and deliver fully resilient systems that work first time.

To keep up to date with all the news, subscribe for free here.
If you would like to take part in a podcast, then please complete our submission form.

Following on from Beyond the Myth: The Modern Reality of Unique Venues, the second panel at the Unique Venues of London showcase explored how venues can deliver more sustainable, accessible and inclusive events.

Featuring Matt Gray (event:decision), Claire Gardner (Eventful), Sophie Linin (Royal Museums Greenwich) and Julia Danmeri (TranslateAble), the discussion covered accessibility in historic venues, captioning, quiet spaces and inclusive event planning.

The panel also explored carbon measurement, delegate travel and the wider social value of unique venues, highlighting how responsible practices can create better experiences and lasting benefits for communities.

Watch the full session on demand.

And if you couldn’t join us at Somerset House, or simply want to revisit the fantastic venues, exhibitors and partners involved, be sure to download the official Showcase Guide. It’s a brilliant resource packed with inspiration and useful contacts for your future events.

What makes a venue more than just a place to host an event?

Recorded live at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, this Event Industry News roundtable, hosted by James Dickson, brings together event professionals to explore the growing importance of the destination experience and how venues are adapting to changing expectations.

From investment in event technology and flexible conference spaces to immersive experiences, creative networking and rethinking traditional event formats, the discussion explores what today’s organisers and delegates really want.

The conversation also tackles the practicalities of venue selection, including budgets, accessibility, location and sustainability, while highlighting how unique experiences can create stronger connections and more memorable events.

With insights from the Allianz Stadium team and experienced event organisers, this lively discussion offers plenty of food for thought for anyone planning their next event.

Listen to the full session to discover why the destination experience is becoming an increasingly important part of event planning.

Live from the ICC Wales, James Dickson speaks with ICC Wales' Amy Phillips and accessibility specialist Dr Shani Danda about the new Access All Areas report and the persistent gap between venues' intentions and disabled delegates' real experiences.

They discuss practical, low-cost improvements (clear online info, captions, quiet spaces), the commercial and legal reasons to act, and ways venues and organisers can start making events genuinely more inclusive.

Thanks to the ICC Wales and The Celtic Collection for hosting these podcast recordings.

This episode of the Event Industry News Podcast is sponsored by Present Communications. Present provides broadcast-quality live, hybrid and virtual event production, trusted by organisations where reliability really matters. From corporate town halls and conferences to high-profile live streams, they design and deliver fully resilient systems that work first time.

To keep up to date with all the news, subscribe for free here.
If you would like to take part in a podcast, then please complete our submission form.

 

Are historic and unique venues really more restrictive, complicated or expensive than traditional event spaces? Or are event organisers missing a trick?

Recorded live at the Unique Venues of London Showcase at Somerset House, this engaging panel brings together experts from Historic Royal Palaces, Somerset House, Park Lane Events and Venufindr to challenge some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding unique venues.

From surprising cost advantages and modern technology to the creative possibilities these remarkable spaces offer, the discussion reveals why historic doesn’t have to mean compromise.

If you’re planning your next event, this conversation might just change how you approach your venue search.
Watch the full session on demand.

And if you couldn’t join us at Somerset House, or simply want to revisit the fantastic venues, exhibitors and partners involved, be sure to download the official Showcase Guide. It’s a brilliant resource packed with inspiration and useful contacts for your future events.

Steve Catling, founder of Hippo Events, discusses his journey from agency and corporate roles to launching his own company, the challenges of growing a small team, and the importance of relationships and continuous learning in the events industry.

He shares practical examples of creative problem-solving, managing suppliers and freelancers, and how Hippo prioritises client experience and adaptability to deliver memorable events.

This episode of the Event Industry News Podcast is sponsored by Present Communications. Present provides broadcast-quality live, hybrid and virtual event production, trusted by organisations where reliability really matters. From corporate town halls and conferences to high-profile live streams, they design and deliver fully resilient systems that work first time.

To keep up to date with all the news, subscribe for free here.
If you would like to take part in a podcast, then please complete our submission form.

Host James Dickson speaks with Matt Grey, founder of Event:Decision, about quantifying what makes events responsible and authentic. They discuss carbon measurement, social value yield, and how benchmarking and impact reviews help organisers of any size show genuine environmental, social, and governance performance.

The episode explains practical tools for measuring event carbon, tracking broader ESG factors, and turning data into decisions that improve credibility and prove the value of events to clients and communities.

This episode of the Event Industry News Podcast is sponsored by Present Communications. Present provides broadcast-quality live, hybrid and virtual event production, trusted by organisations where reliability really matters. From corporate town halls and conferences to high-profile live streams, they design and deliver fully resilient systems that work first time.

To keep up to date with all the news, subscribe for free here.
If you would like to take part in a podcast, then please complete our submission form.

James Dickson speaks with beam leaders David Tremmil and Louisa Watson about the association’s mission, membership and role in the events sector.

They cover beam’s inclusive approach, advocacy work, collaboration with other associations, and highlights from the Forum and upcoming events.

Listeners are given quick details on how to learn more or join (beam-org.uk) and what to expect from the autumn calendar and gala dinner.

 

This episode of the Event Industry News Podcast is sponsored by Present Communications. Present provides broadcast-quality live, hybrid and virtual event production, trusted by organisations where reliability really matters. From corporate town halls and conferences to high-profile live streams, they design and deliver fully resilient systems that work first time.

To keep up to date with all the news, subscribe for free here.
If you would like to take part in a podcast, then please complete our submission form.

Host James Dickson speaks with Max Fellows of Allpoints about IBTM Ignite returning to IBTM World in Barcelona (17–19 November). The episode explains how the program supports event startups and scale‑ups with training, mentoring, and live pitching opportunities.

Ignite acts as an incubator: selected businesses receive coaching, pre‑scheduled meetings, and the chance to pitch to investors on a live stage for potential funding (£50k–£250k) and ongoing mentorship.

Applications and attendance details are available at ibtmworld.com for startups, scale‑ups, investors, and attendees interested in exploring the future of the events industry.

This episode of the Event Industry News Podcast is sponsored by Present Communications. Present provides broadcast-quality live, hybrid and virtual event production, trusted by organisations where reliability really matters. From corporate town halls and conferences to high-profile live streams, they design and deliver fully resilient systems that work first time.

To keep up to date with all the news, subscribe for free here.
If you would like to take part in a podcast, then please complete our submission form.

James Dickson talks with Hugo Campbell, co-founder of Togather, about the rise of food and beverage as a central part of events—from festivals to football stadiums. They discuss creative F&B concepts (pop‑up restaurants, local produce areas, secret food zones), how modern stadia like the Hill Dickinson are designed around the fan experience, and why improving F&B boosts both guest satisfaction and event revenue.

The episode also covers changing audience tastes, especially among Gen Z, and how organisers can use thoughtful curation and experiential production to turn food into a key driver of attendance and spend.

This episode of the Event Industry News Podcast is sponsored by Present Communications. Present provides broadcast-quality live, hybrid and virtual event production, trusted by organisations where reliability really matters. From corporate town halls and conferences to high-profile live streams, they design and deliver fully resilient systems that work first time.

To keep up to date with all the news, subscribe for free here.
If you would like to take part in a podcast, then please complete our submission form.