Mark Girton’s Post

A few notes today for my fellow Live Event Industry pros and/or aspiring pros. 1. Be a savage about what you do, but be kind to people along the way. They are not mutually exclusive. If you are going to fail at either, fail about being a savage. People matter more than the career advancement. 2. Keep learning. There is always more, and things never stop changing. Don’t get complacent. 3. If you want to grow, get outside your comfort zone. Waaaay outside of it. We grow in times and conditions of discomfort not in times of ease and quiet. Seek out discomfort and will yourself to do it. 4. Be relentless in your pursuit of the dream. When (not if) you have a setback, face it head on. 5. Volunteer to do new and difficult things. If you are asked to help at an event, ask for the most difficult, challenging thing they need done and crush it. Do it with a smile. You’ll be the first one they call next time. 6. Don’t take yourself so seriously. Laugh at yourself first. Have fun. Make jokes. 7. Work hard. Really hard. Long hours. Evenings. Weekends. Overnights. 100 hour weeks. Welcome to the Event business. It doesn’t change. 8. Help the up and comers. They are the future. At some point, you’ll likely end up working for someone younger than you are. Be grateful there are some very smart people in our business. 9. Take care of yourself physically. Watching what you eat is #1. Not easy in our fast and on the go business. Plan ahead. Finding time to workout is #2. Even if your job itself is physical, make the time. I don’t care if you can’t make it to the gym. You can do push ups, sit ups, squats and lunges anywhere and it takes zero equipment. What it does take it Discipline. 10. Speaking if Discipline. You need it. Lots of temptations in our business. Be a pro and stay out of the things you know to avoid. Have an amazing day to all. #aegsev #empirepoloclub #visitgreaterpalmsprings #goldenvoice #aeg #dmc #dmo #eventplanner #liveevents #specialevents #generalmanager

Good morning Live Event pros and aspiring pros. Today's Lesson's Learned. I've had a challenging few months but I am in a better place now than I have been since last summer. 1. Never take for Granted the ability to go to work every day. Not everyone can. Work Hard. Grind. Overcome. Endure. 2. If you are pain free physically today, do not take that for Granted either. Chronic physical pain is exhausting. 3. You can't tell what someone is going through simply by looking at them. Be kind, it makes a difference. 4. If you are able to go to the gym physically, GO. You will work better and feel better. 5. Find Discipline, forget Motivation. Discipline wins every time. 6. Mental Discipline is even more valuable than Physical Discipline. 7. If you have a choice and one option is the popular and easy route, and one is lonely and difficult. Think long and hard before taking the easy route. There is nothing valuable in that direction. 8. Be genuine. Care about your team. Find out what matters to them, and help them achieve it. They will run through brick walls with you when you need them. Make sure you run through brick walls for them as well. 9. Make smart choices, not easy ones. There is a big difference. 10. Do something that sucks every day. Start the day with your most difficult task. Go to bed early, wake up early, turn off the TV, stop binge watching your evenings and weekends away. Go out and LIVE life, don't watch it on a screen. I want the best for everyone, go have a fantastic day/weekend/week/month and year. #aegsev #empirepoloclub #goldenvoice #aeg #aegpresents #liveevents #specialevents #festivals #venues #sales #dmc #visitgreaterpalmsprings #generalmanager #operationsmanager #productionmanager #accountingmanager #salesmanager #boxoffice

If you want to get the most out of a career in the Live Event Industry, here are a few things I have found to be helpful. 1. Don’t take it for granted, it can go away at any time. We get paid to be in the same places others pay great money to be. 2. Have a great attitude. Yes, it is A LOT of hard work, but there are a thousand people lined up out the door just wishing they had the opportunity you have right now. Be grateful for the chance to work hard. 3. Embrace change. Nothing stays the same, get used to doing things new ways, get used to doing new events, get used to working with new people. 4. Take care of yourself. Mentally, Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually. You can’t help anyone else if you are in need of being rescued yourself. 5. Give back. Volunteer. Help someone who can’t help you. 6. Find a Mentor. Be a Mentor. You’ll be better at what you do when you help someone else grow. That’s not WHY you should mentor but it is a great benefit. 7. Have fun. Don’t let this become “just business”. I’m 30+ years into this and I still enjoy every day. 8. Make good business decisions. Help your employer do well. Things are always better when the numbers add up. 9. Change things up, especially early in your career. Do something different. Do something outside of your comfort zone. 10. You’re going to be more passionate about some events than others. It’s natural. Give the ones you are less passionate about the same energy and effort as you do the ones you enjoy. This is our chosen profession, make sure the attendees at all events get your best effort every day. #aegsev #aegpresents #empirepoloclub #goldenvoice #liveevents #specialevents #festivals #music #sports #dmc #dmo #eventplanner #visitgreaterpalmsprings

FEST TALK & TIPS For Festival Professionals July 26, 2024 REAL PROS NEVER STOP LEARNING Continuing education is crucial for festival and fair professionals to stay current, relevant, and competitive in our ever-evolving event industry. Here are a few reasons why continuing education is so vital for professionals in our industry: 1. Stay Updated on Trends: Continuing education helps professionals stay informed about the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in the industry. 2. Enhance Skills: Ongoing education allows professionals to enhance their skills, whether in event planning, marketing, management, or other areas that are so important to staging a successful event. 3. Networking Opportunities: Industry conventions and conferences provide valuable networking opportunities to connect with, and learn from, other industry professionals, potential partners, and experts in the field. 4. Professional Development: Through education and training programs such as the Texas Event Management Institute (TEMI), professionals can focus on their professional development, growth, and advancement within the industry. 5. Adapt to Changes: The event industry is dynamic, and continuing education helps professionals to pivot when necessary, and adapt to changes, challenges, and new regulations that may impact their events. 6. Increase Job Opportunities: Having a strong educational background and certifications, such as the IFEA's Certified Festival & Event Executive (CFEE) certification, can increase job opportunities, promotions, and career advancement prospects in the festival and fair industry. 7. Boost Credibility: Continuing education demonstrates a commitment to excellence and ongoing learning, enhancing professionals' credibility and reputation within the industry. 8. Enhance Event Planning Skills: Education can provide valuable insights and strategies to improve event planning skills, leading to more efficient and successful event execution. 9. Learn from Experts: Continuing education programs often feature industry experts, guest speakers, and industry leaders who can share valuable insights and experiences to enrich professionals' knowledge base. 10. Ensure Compliance: Education can help festival and fair professionals stay informed about legal requirements, safety regulations, and industry standards to ensure compliance related to risks associated with organizing festivals and fairs. By investing in ongoing education, festival and fair professionals can benefit from skill development, networking opportunities, and career advancement in our dynamic and ever-changing event industry. TEXAS FESTIVAL & TOURISM CONSULTING Mike Baxter, CFEE mike@txfestconsultant.com 281-222-4775 Long-time member and former Chairman of the Texas Festivals and Events Association and member of the Texas Association of Fairs and Events. #texasfestivalandtourismconsulting #MikeBaxter #TFEA #TAFE #festivalsoup

Live Events and Venues cover a lot of ground in our business. If you are looking to get in and learn, there are a never-ending and never-changing set of responsibilities for each event. Each event and venue has it own personality and own way of doing things. A couple of things I've learned. 1. Don't tell me what you can't do. Tell me what you can do. If you can do at least part of what they need, and you can do it well, then can train you for the rest. 2. Adapt. If you did it one way in the past, you may need to do it differently in the future. There is no one right way. If it works, it's not wrong 3. Be complementary. We need team members and pieces that fit together to complete the entire puzzle. This is not same same for each venue or event, be moldable. 4. Stay humble. You've been successful? Great, but you weren't always, and you may not always be. Be good to everyone. 5. Learn the business of the business. The Numbers. Budgets. Planning. Budgeting is the art of saying "No". If you are responsible for a business unit or department that is on time and on budget, you will get new opportunities. 6. Discuss your thoughts and plans with others on the team, both up the chain and your reports. You will get good feedback and put together the best chance for success. 7. Plan for repeat events/business. You're going to see the same clients/vendors/faces over and over again in different roles. Always assume that you will be working together again. Don't burn the bridges. 8. Never compromise on Safety. That's it for today fellow Industry pro's. Have a safe week and good luck with your events. PS - read #1 again. Tell me what you can do. #aegsev #aegpresents #empirepoloclub #goldenvoice #dmc #aeg #venues #specialevents #eventindustry #liveevents

Most event planners spend their entire careers striving for perfection. But here’s something they don’t teach you in school: Achieving unforgettable experiences is way easier than you think. Here’s how to save yourself a decade and unlock memorable moments this year! 🎉✨ #EventPlanning #Weddings #CorporateEvents #CrownePlazaAtlantaNENorcross #Weddings #IndianWeddings #CorporateEvents

Oh ffs, I think I have to organize an event. I don’t wanna really be an event organizer, but I see no other way forward. I need your help though because I don’t know what it is yet, I only know what it isn’t going to be. I’d like you to imagine a year from now… You’ve just left an event related to your career and it exceeded all your expectations. You’re different after you’ve left. You’ve changed. What’s different about you compared to today? What’s changed as a result of you attending? What are you able to do now? How do you feel?

No better day than today to get rolling with the Live Event Industry. Live events take a lot of planning, research, heart and soul and passion. Do you think you have what it takes? Get in the game. There is never a perfect time, perfect place or perfect opportunity. Stop waiting for something to happen, or someone to call you, or anything else. Go make it happen. Start entry level, learn from the ground up, it's by far the best way to learn the industry. You'll grow as you go. If you are already entry level, stay the course. I spent 9 years working in parking lots, 5 years working in a concession stand, and I still end up standing a post, picking up trash, directing traffic, scanning tickets, at times for events today after 30+ years in the business. The work never ends. There is an old quote I love "whether you think you can, or think you can't, you are right". If you want to do it, if you REALLY want to do it, you will succeed. But it will take a lot of failures, setbacks, and you will find many obstacles to overcome. The quote does not say it will be easy, it simply tells us that our Will-power will ultimately decide what we do. I've lost jobs, had conflicts, brutal battles with competitors and others. All of these things could have led me down a different path, but I was ALL IN on being in the Live Event business. I never even entertained the idea of getting out of it. Without a doubt, I believe this is the path for me. If you believe the same, I'm glad. Our industry needs passionate people, we need grinders, we need innovators, we need overcomers, we need optimists. Make your choices on what you are going to do, and on who you are going to be professionally. Maybe Live events aren't your passion, what is? Figure that out and go get after it. Today is a great day to get started. What's hold you back? Fear? Go kick that right in the teeth and get started. All my best. #liveevents #specialevents #aegsev #aegpresents #goldenvoice #empirepoloclub #dmc #dmo #venues #festivals #sportingevents

EASY! Make it easy! Our number one task when closing a corporate event (apart from working our magic in the streets), is to make it easy for event planners to make their running and brisk walking tours successful. This means: 1. Owning as much of the planning and coordination as possible 2. Equipping the conference organisers to promote the activity to ensure participation and overall success.   3. Provide peace of mind - which in our case is local knowledge, advice and flexibility. 4. Fast communication and quite a few "no problem"s. Thankfully my Go! Running Tours colleagues are the no-problem type of colleagues 💪 ...and in the background training and supporting our local Lead Guides to ensure they are equipped to provide some exceptional experiences. Picture from an event in London we did with Brooks Running a while back.

Is there just a hint of Spring in the air....? 🌥 🌷 The days are getting lighter, the dogs are getting a bit less muddy, and the heating is on for a few less hours in a day.... HURRAY!! From an events perspective, the arrival of better weather and longer days presents a plethora of exciting opportunities. Outdoor events become more feasible as the weather improves, widening your options for activities and venues. As we head towards summer, outdoor cinema screenings to rooftop BBQs, and team-building days to company festivals, event planners can leverage the best of the warmer seasons to create unforgettable experiences. So why not harness the season's energy and start thinking about the next memorable experience you can create for your staff, clients or business partners? A few ideas here to get you thinking.... #corporateevents #Springevents #Summerevents #outdoorvenues #Springinspo #b2bevents #teambuilding #cliententertaining #internalevents