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, Jade Walters, event manager at Bray Leino Events.
What made you want to get involved in the industry and why?
I’ve been involved in hospitality since I was around 16 years old, and working on events is what truly sparked my passion for the industry. I enjoy the level of attention to detail that goes into the planning process and seeing everything come together on the day. I also thrive in the fast-paced environment of live events, where every day is different and there’s a real sense of achievement in delivering a successful experience.
What is the first career highlight that comes to mind?
One of the first career highlights that comes to mind is working on an event called CSG India in Mumbai. It was a particularly memorable project because we received the brief at the last minute, and our attendance onsite wasn’t confirmed until around two weeks before the event.
Despite the tight turnaround, we successfully organised for a British Navy ship to dock at the venue, transformed a port berth into a VIP event space, and even coordinated the landing of a helicopter on the Navy ship. Seeing all of those elements come together under such challenging time constraints created an incredible ‘wow’ moment for our guests and remains one of my proudest achievements.
What have you learned about yourself since entering the events world?
Since entering the events industry, I’ve learned just how resilient I am when facing challenges, whether they arise during the planning stages or onsite during a live event. I’ve also discovered how much I’m capable of managing at once, often juggling multiple priorities while staying calm under pressure. Most importantly, the experience has confirmed just how passionate I am about the events industry and reinforced that it’s the career I genuinely enjoy being a part of.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice when starting out in events, what would it be?
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to trust the process and have confidence in your abilities. Events don’t always go to plan, and there will always be unexpected challenges, but those moments are where you learn the most and grow the fastest. Every experience, whether it’s a success or a setback, helps build the resilience, problem-solving skills, and confidence needed to succeed in the industry.
How important are schemes such as CN 30under30 and do you believe the industry does enough to support young professionals?
I think schemes such as CN 30 Under 30 are incredibly important because they recognise and celebrate young professionals who are working hard to build their careers and make an impact in the industry. They also provide valuable opportunities to connect with like-minded people, learn from experienced professionals, and raise the profile of emerging talent. While I believe the events industry is becoming more supportive of young professionals, there is always more that can be done to encourage knowledge sharing and networking.
How do you see the events industry changing over the next five years, and how do you want to be part of that change?
Over the next five years, I see the events industry continuing to evolve, with greater focus on creating more personalised, immersive, and memorable experiences for attendees. I think we will see technology, sustainability, and innovation play an even bigger role in how events are designed and delivered, while still maintaining the importance of human connection and attention to detail.
I want to be part of that change by embracing new ways of working, learning how we can use the newest technology and tools to better our delegate experience, and delivering events that leave a lasting impact.
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave in the industry?
I hope to leave a legacy of being someone who brings passion, creativity, and dedication to every project I’m involved in. I want to be recognised as someone who embraced challenges, supported those around me, and helped deliver events that people remember for all the right reasons.
As I continue to grow in the industry, I also hope to inspire and support the next generation of event professionals, sharing the knowledge and experiences I’ve gained along the way and encouraging others to see the opportunities that a career in events can bring.
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?
An issue within the events industry that I feel is increasingly important is sustainability and how we can reduce the environmental impact of the events we deliver. Events bring people together and create memorable experiences, but they can also generate significant waste and resource consumption. I believe the industry has a responsibility to continue finding more sustainable ways of working, from event design and production choices through to supplier partnerships and attendee experiences.
Why is this particular issue or topic important to you?
This topic is important to me because creating exceptional events should not come at the expense of the environment. As an industry, we have the ability to influence change through the decisions we make during the planning process, whether that’s selecting more sustainable suppliers, reducing unnecessary waste, or encouraging more responsible practices onsite. I believe attention to detail is a huge part of delivering successful events, and sustainability should be considered an essential part of that detail.
What do you plan to do to continue to champion/topic?
I plan to continue championing sustainability by keeping it at the forefront of my approach to event planning and delivery. This means asking the right questions, exploring more sustainable solutions with suppliers and partners, and continuing to educate myself on new practices and innovations within the industry. I want to help demonstrate that sustainable events can still be creative, impactful, and memorable.
What can the industry itself do to better champion this topic?
The industry can continue to drive change by making sustainability a standard consideration rather than an additional element of event planning. More education, clearer guidelines, and collaboration between agencies, venues, suppliers, and clients would help create a more consistent approach. By sharing best practices and celebrating those who are making positive changes, the industry can continue moving towards a more sustainable future.
