Women make up around 70% of the global events workforce but their stories, leadership, and influence are often underrepresented. The 70% is a weekly series celebrating the women shaping the events industry. From rising stars to seasoned leaders, each profile shines a light on the career journeys, challenges, and perspectives of women working across all corners of the sector.
This week, we speak to Julie Coates-Walker, group head of sales, Arena Racing Company.
Number of years in the industry: 25+ years
How do you balance professional growth with personal commitments, and do you think the industry is evolving in terms of work-life balance?
It is a constant balancing act. Some days I feel like I’ve got it all under control, and other days I’m just hoping my to-do list doesn’t self-combust. The key is setting boundaries, prioritising what truly matters, and learning to delegate – a skill in itself, which is all easier said than done.
The industry is improving when it comes to work-life balance, and Arena Racing Company is really in favour of this. There’s more awareness around how important the work-life balance is to prevent burnout, and flexible working is becoming more common, especially post-Covid.
However, events and hospitality will always be a fast-paced, high-energy industry operating seven days a week, so it’s essential we continue to champion workplace cultures that support this reality—helping people see it as a rewarding and sustainable long-term career.
How do you see the events industry evolving in terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion?
There has been much progress over the last few years, but there is so much more to do. We see more diversity on panels, in meetings, and back of house, but we need to ensure that they have a voice that is heard and valued. No doubt creating a more diverse industry would only enhance experiences.
What advice would you give to young women looking to enter and succeed in the events industry?
When I started out in the industry it was a scary place to be for a young woman who had high ambitions, but things have definitely changed for the better I am pleased to say. There are such huge opportunities for women to be successful.
Firstly, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone when presented with an opportunity – be brave! Second, participate in projects, offer your ideas in meetings, challenge where appropriate, and speak up for yourself.
Thirdly, make connections with colleagues across the industry, network hard, and build relationships. This industry can be a small world, and it is important to have contacts that you can reach out to for support. Lastly, get yourself some comfortable shoes. Trust me, your feet will thank you!
How do you handle setbacks and failures?
It can be upsetting when something goes wrong and, especially with live events, this can happen more than we’d like! At the time, it is important to keep calm, review the situation, and come up with a solution. Once resolved I tend to take a step back, assess what went wrong with the team, and come up with a plan of how to do it better next time.
It is important to have a problem-solving mindset, a sense of humour, good communication skills, and a great support network – they will make all the difference.
What changes do you think are still needed to create more opportunities for women in leadership?
Recognising that women bring valuable and often different perspectives, skills, and strengths to leadership teams is crucial. We need more mentoring and leadership development opportunities tailored to support women throughout every stage of their careers. Fair access to opportunities and equal pay are still ongoing battles—these should be standard, not something we’re still having to fight for.