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People can build rewarding careers and “great livings” in events, but the opportunities are not always visible to the next generation.The events industry must do more to show young people that they can build rewarding, long-term careers within the sector.That is the message from Serkan Uzunogullari, Senior Lecturer in Tourism, Hospitality and Events at the University of Sunderland, and Paul Borg, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter.Speaking in the latest episode of the hotel’s Talking People with Paul Borg podcast, the pair discuss why many people still “fall into” events and how the industry can make its career pathways clearer.“Events can be someone’s first job, a part-time job or a graduate role, and then develop into a career in management, operations or one of many other areas,” Serkan said. “It has a low entry point but a very high ceiling.“However, students don’t always see that pathway. I think we have to put our hands up and admit that we are still underselling it.”Paul began his own hospitality career behind a bar before becoming a hotel General Manager. He believes the industry should speak more confidently about the opportunities it offers.“There can be long days and unsociable hours, and we should be honest about that. However, the reward from delivering an event can be huge,” Paul Said. “There is real potential to progress and make a great living, and I don’t think we talk about that enough.”The episode also explores how education providers and employers can work together to prepare and retain new talent.The University of Sunderland works with employers through mentoring, placements, live projects and site visits. Several of its students and graduates have joined Crowne Plaza Newcastle, starting in areas including reception and food and beverage before progressing into conference, events and management roles.Serkan said universities can teach event design, planning, marketing and audiovisual production, but cannot fully recreate the pressure of live delivery.“We can expose students to controlled pressure and give them opportunities to organise smaller events,” he explained. “What we cannot replicate in a classroom is the pace, emotion and experience of managing hundreds or thousands of people.“That is why universities and employers must work closely together. Graduates may understand the theory, but employers need to meet young talent halfway and help them develop operational confidence.”Paul concluded: “We need more event and hospitality professionals to go into schools, colleges and universities, talk openly about their own careers and show young people where an entry-level role can lead.“But this cannot stop at telling them the opportunities are there. Employers need to open their doors through placements, mentoring, workplace visits and part-time roles – and then give young people the training and support to progress. If we want the talent our industry needs in the future, we all have a part to play in developing it now.”Talking People with Paul Borg is a six-part podcast series featuring event leaders, creatives, educators, media professionals and emerging talent from across the meetings and events industry. The episode featuring Serkan Uzunogullari is available now via Talking People with Paul Borg.
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28th September 26, Manchester, UK: CHS Manchester will open its doors at the AO Arena this week, bringing together months of momentum, industry support and collaboration for the inaugural edition of the show on Wednesday 30 September.An exhibitor line-up packed with leading venues, hotels, destinations and suppliers will be joined by a Hosted Buyer Programme approaching capacity, a major education programme and a growing Fringe Programme across the city. Together, they underline the confidence that has built around the show over the last 12 months.For buyers and visitors, the focus is firmly on value. Thousands of conversations and meetings will take place across the show floor, supported by content across the Revolution Stage, Manchester Stage and Industry Hub, alongside networking, hospitality and experiences throughout the day.The gathering begins the evening before with Manchester Calling, CHS Manchester’s official welcome reception at Manchester Central. Hosted buyers will also be staying across some of Manchester’s leading hotels, while the wider Fringe Programme will take CHS into venues and spaces across the city.Manchester itself has played a major part in the build-up. Its venues, hotels, partners and events community have embraced the show and the people coming to it, creating a sense that the city is opening its arms to the industry and is ready to show visitors what Manchester can do.Victoria Braddock, Managing Director at Marketing Manchester, commented, "Bringing CHS to Manchester has been a masterclass of collaboration in practice. Together with the CHS team, AO Arena, and with the support of partners and venues from across our visitor economy, we have an incredible supershow kicking off in Manchester this week where every detail has been meticulously thought through."And now an amazing mix of conference buyers, exhibitors, and suppliers will descend on the city ready to do business and make things happen. That's the Manchester way of doing things and we're so excited to welcome everyone and for them to see what's in store. Whether you visit Manchester all the time or have never visited before, we hope the CHS community have the chance to enjoy the city, to work hard, but most importantly, to have fun!"Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at AO Arena said, “We’re thrilled to welcome CHS to the AO Arena and to Manchester. Whilst we’re best known as one of the UK’s leading music and entertainment venues, our £50 million redevelopment has opened up an exciting new chapter for us. Hosting CHS is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the versatility of the AO Arena and demonstrate that we’re about much more than live music. We’re proud to welcome the CHS community to Manchester and excited to give them a taste of what our venue, and our city, can offer for business events. We can’t wait to bring everyone together.”Emma King, CEO, CHS Manchester, commented: “The momentum behind the show has been incredible, and now we get to bring everyone together. Manchester has given CHS a massive hug and that warmth will be everywhere this week.“We’ve been asked whether getting bigger means becoming less CHS. Absolutely not. We’re doubling down on everything that makes CHS, CHS. That means brilliant business and content, but also looking after people properly. We’ll be throwing out love bombs and value bombs throughout the show; if someone needs help, whatever it is, we want to be there. We want people to feel genuinely valued from the moment they arrive.”That approach will run throughout the show, with the CHS team given the freedom and resources to solve problems, make people’s days easier and add unexpected moments of hospitality. It is part of an ambition to ensure that increased scale brings more CHS personality, rather than less.The support surrounding the show also reflects wider confidence across the events industry. Associations, partners, exhibitors, speakers, buyers and the Manchester events community have all played a part in building towards this week.Most importantly, the meetings and conversations taking place at CHS Manchester will turn that confidence into business. New briefs will be discussed, relationships will begin and opportunities will move forward.For an industry built on bringing people together, that makes this week an important moment: a gathering in Manchester that can create momentum long after everyone has gone home.
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