We were recently graced with the presence of an extraordinary guest speaker at The Event School London - Deborah Hooper, Director of Ceremonies at Humanists UK. Our wedding and event planning students had the privilege of learning from her expertise as a Humanist Celebrant. The Beauty of Non-Religious Ceremonies During her talk, Deborah shed light on the unique beauty of non-religious funerals, weddings, and naming ceremonies. These ceremonies, stripped of religious rituals, focus on the individuals involved, their relationships, and their journey in life. They are tailored to be deeply personal and reflective of the people they are meant to honor. Crafting Meaningful Experiences What stood out about Deborah’s approach is her dedication to creating memorable and meaningful ceremonies for non-religious families and couples. She believes that every milestone in life, whether it's a joyous wedding or a solemn funeral, deserves to be marked in a way that resonates with those involved. Her passion for her work is evident in the way she meticulously plans each ceremony, ensuring that it not only celebrates the occasion but also captures the essence of the people at its heart. Leading the Way in Humanist Ceremonies Deborah is a true trailblazer in the Humanist Ceremonies network. Her commitment to helping others celebrate life's milestones in a way that aligns with their beliefs and values is truly inspiring. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Deborah for sharing her insights with us and leading the way in this field. With speakers like Deborah, we continue to provide our students with a holistic understanding of event planning, exposing them to a variety of practices and philosophies. We eagerly look forward to welcoming more industry experts to share their knowledge and experiences. Follow us and our incredible speakers on social media @theeventschool.london Guest Speaker: Deborah Hooper: @deborahhooper, Humanist Ceremonies: @humanistceremonies Class Lecturer: Siobhan Craven-Robins @siobhancravenrobinsweddings Stay tuned for more updates from The Event School London! #GuestSpeaker #HumanistsUK #HumanistCelebrant #HumanistCeremonies #weddingplanning #eventplanning #StudyLondon #TheEventSchoolLondon

Event management is a fast-paced, exciting, and rewarding industry that's perfect for individuals with excellent organisational and interpersonal skills. And if you're looking to jumpstart your event management career, The Event School London's Advanced Diploma in Event Management starting on 12th February 2024 is the perfect course for you. Our 6-month event management program is London's finest, offering students the chance to learn practical skills, get expert advice, and acquire invaluable industry connections. Our course is internationally and industry recognised, so you know you're getting the best training that can open doors to career opportunities worldwide. Continue reading to discover some reasons why you should join the school's advanced diploma programme and learn what it takes to become a successful event manager. Industry-recognised event management qualification The Event School London's Advanced Diploma is recognised by industry leaders and endorsed by the UK's leading technical education awarding body, Training Qualifications UK. With this qualification, you're assured that your certificate holds value and has been endorsed by authorities in the industry. Practical event management experience You'll learn a variety of theoretical and practical skills that'll prepare you for real-world scenarios. Our experienced lecturers have worked in the event industry, which means they'll expose you to practical examples of event execution, planning, budgeting, and management decision-making. You'll attend multiple industry events, showcases and site tours and participate in planning a live event, so you'll have the opportunity to put your skills into practice. Invaluable event industry connections The Event School London has a vast network of industry contacts, and you'll benefit from this through networking opportunities, internships, and mentorship programmes. Our partners include catering companies, florists, photographers, audio-visual experts, and event venues. This will give you a chance to build your CV, gain practical experience, and even land job opportunities from reputable event organisations. Study three days a week The advanced diploma in event management classes are generally scehgudled for mOndays. Tuesday and Wednesdays, allowing time for work placements, paid work or exploring London The course is designed so you cav fit it into your schedule, whether you're a school leaver, career changer, or gap year student. Varied career opportunities in event management Event management is a diverse industry, and upon completion of the advanced diploma programme, you'll have many broad industry opportunities to pursue. Graduates can choose to specialise in specific types of events, such as festivals, corporate events, conferences, weddings, or sports events. Other career options include working for event management companies, PR agencies, venue management companies, and corporate in-house event teams. The Event School London's Advanced Diploma in Event Management programme is the ideal course for individuals who are passionate about event planning and are looking to start or advance their careers in this exciting industry. Our program is internationally recognised and provides practical skills and experience that you'll need when working in real-world scenarios. We offer experiential learning with a focus on the student experience. Additionally, our industry connections and career support services make it easy to build a network and pursue a career as an event manager. So, if you're interested in this dynamic industry, enrol for the course and future-proof your career. Learn More

A heartfelt thank you to John Ashmele for joining us as a guest speaker last week. With vivid images from real-life weddings, John unraveled the pivotal role of the Toastmaster, emphasizing the essence of keeping events, be it weddings, celebrations, or formal dinners, ticking seamlessly. The students are indeed privileged to have delved into the depths of his expertise and experience. From a history rooted in community events to being a beacon of the Professional Toastmasters’ Academy, John's journey is an inspiration! As someone with a commendable career spanning 30 years in Information Systems, it's awe-inspiring to see his transition to mastering ceremonies with unmatched etiquette and protocol knowledge. It's not just about the role, it's about the passion and personality John brings to it — reassuring, calm, and always with a touch of tradition. Cheers to learning from the best! 🥂✨ John was speaking to wedding planning and event management course students at The Event School London. A private training school offering exclusive specialist event management training in venues on the ExCeL London campus. Learn more about John at: https://www.instagram.com/johnashmeletoastmaster/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ashmele-toastmaster/

The brilliant Kelly Chandler recently shared invaluable insights on client psychology and the art of finding your ideal client with our full-time students. With 25 years in the events industry and expertise spanning from planning luxurious weddings to consulting the UK's elite venues, Kelly’s knowledge is unparalleled. We are incredibly appreciative of Kelly's time and contribution to development of new talent into our industry. Our aspiring wedding planners and event managers were inspired by Kelly generously sharing her experience with them. Here’s to mastering the nuances of the events world and unlocking our students' true potential! #TheEventSchoolLondon#KellyChandler#ClientPsychology #EventIndustryInsights#WeddingPlanning#EventManagement 👉 More About Kelly 👈 Business Coach & Confidante Kelly is an events industry professional of 25 years having previously planned weddings (often 6-figure) for over 150 discerning global couples. A Wedding Venue Business Consultant to many of the UK’s finest Stately Homes, country houses and 5-star hotels, Kelly is a diversified business owner and a multi-revenue stream entrepreneur. A live-long learner and personal development devotee, she’s also a Master Coach & Success Coach to high-achievers. Being endlessly curious about the power of the mind and neuroscience, she’s passionate about unlocking, unblocking and championing the potential of her fellow bold business-leader clients. https://www.kellychandlerconsulting.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ Kelly was speaking with event management and wedding planning course students.

At The Event School London we always seek to empower our students with real-world knowledge and insights. Our aim is to bring them closer to industry leaders who've shaped their event planning niches with hard work, passion, and expertise. This week, we were privileged to have such an industry gem amongst us – Charlotte from La Fête Event Planning. First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you, Charlotte, for taking time out of your busy schedule to inspire and enlighten the next generation of talent in the event industry. Your journey, as highlighted on the La Fête website, is a testament to what one can achieve with dedication, innovation, and a flair for crafting unique experiences. Your work speaks volumes, blending various cultural inspirations to produce events that are nothing short of magical. Your insights provided our students with a firsthand look into the intricacies of the event planning world. From understanding client requirements to adding that unique La Fête touch, it was illuminating to hear about the behind-the-scenes processes that lead to such grand outcomes. Through your words, students were not only educated but deeply inspired. Your story, Charlotte, resonates with many of us. The foundation of La Fête on the principles of attention to detail, personal touch, the embracing of diversity and luxury inspiration serves as a guiding light for many young aspirants. It tells them that with the right mix of passion and dedication, they too can curate experiences that leave lasting impressions. The sparkle in the eyes of our students post-session, and the ignited passion were all evident of the impact you've made. Thank you for supporting the development of new talent and for being a shining star in the vast event industry sky. Here's to many more collaborations and shared learnings! 💫

Two incredible days of inspiration and learning at the Corporate Event Management Masterclass with our lead event management lecturer Nick Oxborrow! 🌟 Students from as close as London and as far as Buenos Aires gathered at the Novotel Excel London, right in the heart of London's event scene, to learn from Nick's experience and expertise. From developing effective planning skills to nailing logistics, this masterclass was an invaluable journey for aspiring event professionals. 📚 #EventSuccess #Masterclass #LondonEventScene #StudyLondon #CorporateEvents #EventProfs #Upskill

👩‍⚖️ ⚖️ 😮❗Just once! And as our event hosts RSVP Club said, "The debate is over, and the verdict is in! Our panelists engaged in a thought-provoking discussion: Is AI a true game-changer for the Wedding and Party Industry? The consensus seems to lean towards a resounding YES!" 🗣️ We loved being part of this great forum and innovative event format. And yes discussions that reference AI are ongoing amongst our students, graduates and faculty and will be for quite some time - if not forever! 🎤 @scullyps @johnnassari @hattie_mauleverer @silverfoxevents @robynjisherwood RSVP Partners: Venue: @townhallhotel Charity: @vowforgirls Co organiser @linadellaluna Photographer: @linaandtom Videographer: @gdgmp_weddings Florist: @kuitflowers Entertainment: @susiewebbmusic Production: @rvsounds #AIDebate #FutureOfEvents #StudyLondon #ExperientialLearning

Exhibitions and trade shows require professional organisational skills, and an ability to create a functional and attractive design and an engaging programme. Gaining valuable specialist exhibition management skills with event management specialist Rachel Williams, MBA, will upgrade your event experience and enhance your career opportunities in the industry. About Rachel ✨ Rachel has held senior management positions in some of London’s most prestigious events venues. ✨ She spent 15 years with etc.venues Limited where she led the event management and successful delivery of over 10,000 events annually. ✨ Rachel also worked in a senior role at ExCeL London account managing a diverse range of events including corporate learning events for Top UK Banks and Accounting Firms, graduate programmes, AGMs, product launch, themed events, receptions, executive round tables & exhibitions. ✨ MBA Educated, Rachel now works as a Hospitality, Venue & Events Consultant with specialities in CX Strategy and CRM Implementation|Sales, Revenue Management and Service Transformation.

We are thrilled to welcome Ryan, a highly experienced event management specialist in the world of major sporting events and venue logistics. With a proven track record in planning and executing internationally recognised events, as a Senior Leader, Ryan not only builds and grows complex teams but also nurtures vital community, government, and partner relationships to ensure seamless collaboration towards shared success. His agility in thinking on his feet and proactive approach to managing all scenarios with precision is truly commendable. Ryan's expertise spans project and budget management, venue and event operations, and top-notch spectator services for world-class multi-sport games and international competitions. He also excels in running state-of-the-art facilities while leading by example with his unwavering passion and commitment to sports, mass events, and the communities that support them. His impressive experience includes working on prestigious events such as the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, British Universities & Colleges Sport, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, and Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. We are privileged to have Ryan Koolen join our teaching team, and we can't wait to learn from his wealth of knowledge and experience. Welcome aboard, Ryan!

When it comes to the world of event management, there are few who can match the experience and expertise of Nicholas Oxborrow, a seasoned Senior Lecturer at The Event School London. With a passion for events that shines through in every class, Nicholas has become a trusted mentor, coach, and a true authority in the field. Let's take a closer look at this industry luminary and his remarkable journey. A Passion for Passing on Knowledge Nicholas Oxborrow, or Nick as he is affectionately known, is not your average lecturer. His love for the event industry is palpable and infectious. He possesses a unique talent for imparting knowledge and igniting the same passion for events in his students. Nick plays a pivotal role in leading the way as a lecturer for the Virtual Certificate and Diploma in Event Management, MasterClasses in Sustainable Events and Corporate Event Management and short courses in event management in London. His dedication to his students' success is unwavering, and his approachable demeanor makes him a favourite among those eager to learn the ropes of event management. A World of Experience What sets Nick apart from the rest is his unparalleled wealth of experience. Before venturing into the world of academia, he was the mastermind behind the award-winning events agency "Fabulation" in Singapore. His event portfolio is a testament to his versatility, encompassing marketing activations, celebrations, exhibitions, conferences, galas, and large outdoor events. His event management journey has taken him to the corners of the globe, leaving behind a trail of memorable and meticulously executed events. His work speaks volumes about his creativity, attention to detail, and the sheer scale of his accomplishments. The Path to Expertise Nick's journey to becoming an esteemed lecturer was paved with a solid educational foundation. He holds a degree in Hospitality Management from the renowned Hotel School Switzerland, supplemented by studies in Boston. This educational background, coupled with his three decades of experience in hospitality and events management, gives him a unique perspective that he generously shares with his students. A Client Roster that Speaks Volumes If one were to judge a professional by the clients they serve, then Nick's resume reads like a who's who of the corporate world. His impressive client list includes Silicon Valley giants like Netflix, Facebook, and Microsoft. He has also been the trusted event partner for international luxury brands such as Soho House, Chanel, and LVMH. Such prestigious clients are a testament to Nick's ability to deliver top-notch events that meet and exceed the expectations of even the most discerning clientele. An Academic Stalwart While Nick may have transitioned into academia, his connection to the event industry remains as strong as ever. He's not just a lecturer but an academic specialising in event management and the participant experience. His expertise has been sought after by universities and colleges in the United States, Europe, and Asia, where he has shared his knowledge with eager students. A Continuing Legacy Nick's journey in the world of events has been nothing short of remarkable. His transition from managing international events to educating the next generation of event professionals is a testament to his dedication and passion for the industry. He continues to be an integral part of The Event School London, offering invaluable insights and guidance to students pursuing careers in event management. Nick is more than just a lecturer; he is a mentor, a coach, and a true industry luminary. His passion, experience, and dedication to the event industry have left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to learn from him. As he continues to inspire and shape the future of event management, we can only expect even greater things from this exceptional individual. Join Nick's Classes this Autumn

At last week's RSVP Club's inaugural Breakfast Club event, attendees had the opportunity to do just that - ice sculpt their very own diamond! Although admittedly ours melted before we made it back to the office! Held at the prestigious Rosewood London, this unique gathering brought together London's leading event planners for a morning of networking, creativity, and delectable breakfast. The star of the show at the event was undoubtedly the unconventional ice sculpting activity led by the experts in ice sculpture for events - PSD Ice Art. Guests were invited to try their hand at crafting their very own diamond out of ice... with varying levels of success! As you can imagine, shaping a diamond from a block of ice isn't a task for the faint-hearted, but it added an exciting element of challenge and creativity to the event. It would be impossible to take on such a challenge on an empty stomach and the breakfast provided by the Rosewood was delicious and nutritious. And what better way to bond and network than over a sumptuous breakfast in the heart of luxury! The event was supported by RSVP's event partners and their input made it a brilliant success: Venue: Rosewood London (@Rosewoodlondon) - friendly and professional hospitality and a stunning set up in the ballroom lobby Event Planner: La Fete (@Lafeteoffical) - impeccable event planning as always Keynote and Activity: PSD Ice Art (@psdIceart) - their ice sculpting expertise added a unique and memorable touch to the event. And finally, Stuart Wood, a talented photographer, truly captured the essence of the event - a perfect blend of elegance and fun. We're delighted to share them here with you, courtesy of Stuart and RSVP.

The heat of summer might seem an unlikely time to start thinking of of winter wonderlands and Christmas parties. Yet, within the world of professional event planning, the summer months mark the launch of the meticulous preparations for the most cherished event of the year: Christmas. While it might puzzle some as to why event planners commence their Christmas endeavors so early, there is a strategy behind their let's-get-started-early approach. #1 - Elaborate Creativity Requires Time: Crafting memorable Christmas events goes beyond merely hanging decorations and putting up a tree. Event planners aim to create unique and awe-inspiring experiences that capture the essence of the holiday season. This level of creativity demands time for brainstorming, conceptualisation, and meticulous detailing. By starting early, planners can conceptualise inventive themes, source exceptional decor, and design extraordinary experiences that evoke the true magic of Christmas. #2 - Venue and Vendor Scheduling and Availability: The demand for venues and event-related services peaks during the holiday season. The most popular venues and vendors such as decorators, caterers, entertainers, and rental companies get booked quickly as the year progresses. By initiating the planning process in July, event planners secure the best vendors and service providers, ensuring the availability of top choices and the flexibility to negotiate favorable terms. "Contracting year-end clients by the summer is crucial for event managers. Usually by September, the calendar becomes very busy, so the additional lead time allows for thorough planning, resource allocation, and vendor arrangements. You are also able to provide clear communication with clients and ensure optimal budgeting which is a win win for all. This proactive approach enables an impactful year-end of events." – Nicholas Oxborrow, Fabulation #3 - Budgeting and Resource Allocation: Christmas events are often grand affairs, requiring careful budgeting and resource allocation. By starting early, event planners can accurately estimate costs, identify potential budget constraints, and allocate resources wisely. This proactive approach enables them to make informed decisions, seek competitive pricing, and secure cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality. #4 - Mitigating Last-Minute Hiccups: Christmas events are prone to unexpected challenges that can arise from factors such as inclement weather, transportation delays, or venue-related issues. Beginning preparations early provides event planners with a cushion of time to address and mitigate these challenges, ensuring a seamless and stress-free execution when the festivities kick in. It’s important to start planning Christmas parties early if you want to host a party in the most spectacular venues! Once a company has found a perfect Christmas party venue, many will rebook the same venue year after year, usually straight after that years Christmas party. This means that by the time we get to the summer months, many of the most popular venues have already been rebooked for the Xmas period and will have limited availability. Having the perfect event venue on the most appropriate date is key to hosting a successful event, this is difficult if venues have limited availability. – Ben Parker, MICE Destinations #5 - Crafting Seamless Guest Experiences: In the realm of event planning, attention to detail is paramount. From creating personalised invitations to curating carefully timed activities, planners ensure every aspect of the event aligns with the overarching theme and guest experience. This level of detail requires substantial planning and coordination, which can be best achieved when the planning process starts months in advance. #6 - Flexibility for Unique Ideas: In the creative world of event planning, inspiration often strikes at unexpected moments. By initiating preparations early, planners have the flexibility to incorporate novel ideas and unique elements that contribute to an unforgettable Christmas experience. This flexibility enhances the overall ambiance of the event, leaving a lasting impression on attendees. #7 - Spreading Out Workload for Busy Event Planners: Planning a large-scale Christmas event involves a multitude of tasks, from logistics and coordination to design and execution. Starting preparations in July allows event planners to distribute these tasks over a more extended period, preventing burnout and ensuring that each element receives the attention it deserves. "With the event industry picking up solid momentum this year, the top venues see a strong increase in bookings, especially for the important dates. As long term future dates become reliable to work with again, many agencies and clients feel confident by securing for example their Christmas parties even in summer already." – David Vogel, DeTour Artists Start Planning! The commencement of Christmas event planning in July holds a world of strategic benefits for professional event planners. The creative complexity, vendor availability, budget considerations, and seamless execution that characterise remarkable holiday events all find their foundation in the early stages of preparation. As the holiday season approaches, these planners can revel in the knowledge that their meticulous planning will bring to life a Christmas celebration that is nothing short of magical. So, the next time you feel the warmth of July, remember that somewhere, an event planner is already dreaming of a winter wonderland.