Over the course of the CN 30underThirty programme, Conference News will be speaking to members of the programme about their professional journey and the causes they’re championing to shape a more inclusive, forward-thinking industry.
This week, we meet Darcy Worcester, senior project manager at build the bandwagon.
What made you want to get involved in the industry and why?
There was always something about events that attracted me, even before I fully understood the industry or how agencies worked. I was always the teenager planning the most extravagant birthday parties, so it was inevitable that I’d find my way into events professionally. I was lucky enough to know from a young age that it was the career path for me, and even luckier to discover that I genuinely loved it when I landed my first agency role.
What is the first career highlight that comes to mind?
It’s so hard to pick just one, but I’d say leading my first international event. It brought together a conference, exhibition and celebration event for 1,000 global delegates. I’d worked on the event in various supporting roles over the years, so stepping into the lead role felt like a real full-circle moment. It was a huge milestone in my career and a memory that will certainly stick with me forever.
What is the biggest challenge you have overcome?
I’ve been pretty lucky not to have any major disaster stories, but when myself and all of my colleagues were made redundant without notice, it really tested me in ways I didn’t know were possible. Confidence, resilience and perseverance were skills I knew I had, but I had to develop them significantly during that time. It taught me that even when circumstances are completely outside your control, you can control how you respond to them and what you take forward from the experience.
What have you learned about yourself since entering the events world?
I have a lot more patience than I realised! In such a fast-paced environment, it’s easy to feel like every hurdle is a crisis, but over the years I’ve learned to take a step back and recognise that challenges are simply part of the job. I think that patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure is what keeps me going when things inevitably don’t go to plan.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice when starting out in events, what would it be?
Dive in and take every opportunity. I always thought I wasn’t quite ready for the next role or challenge, but if I’d let that feeling stop me, I would never have developed into each role along the way. You’re probably more capable than you think you are, so sometimes you just have to take the leap and learn as you go.
How important are schemes such as CN 30under30 and do you believe the industry does enough to support young professionals?
I think the recognition that CN 30under30 provides is one of the best things about the scheme. The events industry moves so quickly that we rarely stop to recognise the achievements of our colleagues and peers, so having a platform that celebrates the people shaping the industry is incredibly valuable. I think there is always more we can do to support and develop young professionals, but recognition like this is an important part of making people feel appreciated.
How do you see the events industry changing over the next five years, and how do you want to be part of that change?
I think creativity and innovation are where our industry is going to move by leaps and bounds. The capabilities of emerging technologies will continue to expand the art of the possible, from how we develop ideas to how audiences experience events. I’m excited to be part of an industry that is constantly evolving, and I’m very much here for the ride!
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave in the industry?
I want my team, partners and suppliers to be proud of the events we deliver, so everyone can look back and think of the success we achieved together.
What is an issue or topic within the industry that you think is important and want to champion? Can you explain a bit about it?
I think the industry can still be quite archaic in its approach to working styles. There’s often an expectation that long hours, high stress and constant pressure are simply part of working in events. While those things will inevitably happen at times, they shouldn’t be considered a constant.
The wellbeing of our colleagues and peers is something the industry has historically struggled with. We’re often so focused on getting through the next event that we don’t take the time to stop, breathe and properly reset before moving onto the next one. I’d like to see us challenge that culture and create an industry where high performance and wellbeing can exist alongside each other.
Why is this particular issue or topic important to you?
I don’t think anyone can be the best version of themselves when they’re battling burnout, and unfortunately that’s all too common in our industry. We spend so much time talking about delivering incredible experiences for our clients, but we also need to make sure we’re creating a sustainable industry for the people behind them.
What do you plan to do to continue to champion/topic?
I’ll continue to put my team first, making sure their wellbeing is genuinely considered and that they have the support and opportunity they need to thrive. I want to help create a team culture where working hard and delivering great events doesn’t have to come at the expense of people’s wellbeing.
What can the industry itself do to better champion this topic?
We need to break the mold of thinking that people have to work endless hours or sacrifice their home lives in order to succeed in events. We should be challenging outdated working practices, encouraging healthier boundaries and recognising that looking after our people isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s essential to building a successful and sustainable industry.