Event Technology Awards Judges’ Spotlight: Frankie Tee

Full Name: Frankie Tee
Company: EnTEEtainment Ltd
Job Title: Production Manager

A director of and production manager at EnTEEtainment Ltd, Frankie specialises in technical production management, artist liaison and CAD drawing at a variety of events.

Mainly working on live music events such as Radio 1s Big Weekend, Reading Festival and BBC Proms in Hyde Park, Frankie has worked her way up from laminating during summer holidays to graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University and being awarded the ‘Rising Star Award’ for the festival industry in 2014.

Having worked in a wide range of event types for over 10 years such as fashion shows, corporate parties, product launches and experiential shows, Frankie has recently added live touring to her portfolio.

1. What experience can you draw upon to successfully judge the ETAs?

Having done a variety of different roles across events from accreditation, event control, artist liaison and production, I have a good appreciation of how different advances in technology have simplified various departments in the running and success of an event.

2. How long have you worked in the events industry and what keeps you interested in it?

I have worked in the industry for over 10 years now and can honestly say that no two days have been the same: that’s what keeps it interesting.

3. Best (and worst?) moments working in the events industry?

The best moment of any event is seeing the joy in attendees, whether it’s a music festival or a private sit-down dinner, it wouldn’t be worth sacrificing our social hours if others weren’t benefitting from it.

The worst part of working in the events industry has to be the disruption it has on our personal lives.

4. Favourite piece of tech for work and personal life?

My go-to app is Waze, I use it every day and would be lost without it, quite literally.

5. What’s your go-to piece of tech when working on an event and why?

Any cloud-based document storage, but I favour Dropbox. It’s now so easy in the middle of a field or venue to call up any important bits of information without spending ages trawling through paperwork, not to mention cutting down on paper at the same time.

6. What was the last event on which you worked?

Project managing the design and build of an exhibition stand for Monty’s Bakehouse at the World Travel and Catering Expo on behalf of DMN Design Build. Something a little different to my usual projects but thoroughly enjoyable with a great finished result.

7. From your experience, how has tech been best utilised at an event?

Technology that combines different requirements into one is always useful. At an event I was running event control for, we were able to track down suspects in a crime from the events cashless wristband system.

8. We all learn from our mistakes! What was the biggest lesson you learned from a mistake since being in the industry?

Not delegating – not only does it impact on your own stress levels, there is a safety factor in knowing that other people are across everything you are. I still tend to struggle to pass work onto my colleagues, but after a 42-hour shift in one go, I’ve learnt to never let myself get into that position again. Along the same lines, it’s important to be honest about deadlines and when clients can expect something.

9. What are you most looking forward to at the ETAs?

I’m most looking forward to having an insight into what to expect from technology at events in years to come. Not only do awards reward great achievements that have already been made, they touch on future potential.

10. Why is it important to recognise the achievements of tech companies?

In a time where technology is relied on so heavily, technology companies are under even more pressure to get things right first time: it can make or break an event and there is no room for error. 

Even if we don’t all admit it, we all strive to be recognised and no matter how hard we know we have worked, it’s good for someone else to appreciate that. That’s why awards in our industry mean so much. No event can be produced without teamwork and it’s important that key players are given credit.

11. If you could only use one piece of tech when working on an event, what would that be?

Probably an iPad. With all the apps under the sun, I can do anything I could do with a laptop, phone, camera, compass, spirit level you name it, with one piece of equipment.

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The Event Technology Awards ceremony returns to Troxy on November 6, between the two days of Event Tech Live 2019.