Go Book It, the innovative start-up connecting event planners and couples with local independent suppliers, has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Events & Exhibitions Rising Star’ award from Business Awards UK. This accolade celebrates Go Book It’s exceptional growth and impact in the events industry since its inception in 2023.
Founded by Emma McCarthy-Duffy (Leeds), Go Book It emerged from a personal journey of resilience and entrepreneurship. After being made redundant from her role as a commercial director in online education while on maternity leave, Emma leveraged her 11 years of SME experience to create something truly her own. She taught herself WordPress during her maternity leave and meticulously built Go Book It, an independent event supplier marketplace with a mission to eliminate the need for big agencies and their hefty fees.
The concept for Go Book It was born out of Emma’s own experience planning her wedding. She used agencies and booking platforms without realising the extent of the fees they charged both her and the suppliers. At her own wedding, Emma spoke with the band she had hired through an agency and learned that the commission fees they were charged were exorbitant. This lack of transparency and the high costs prompted Emma to create a business that would offer a fairer alternative.
“Winning the ‘Events & Exhibitions Rising Star’ award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our small team,” said Emma McCarthy-Duffy, Founder of Go Book It. “We are passionate about supporting local talent and providing a platform that makes it easier for them to thrive!”
Since its launch, Go Book It has partnered with over 250 event suppliers, creating a vibrant and diverse marketplace that caters to a wide range of event needs. The platform’s success is further bolstered by the addition of Head of Marketing, Victoria Taylor, who brings a wealth of experience and strategic vision to the team.
Victoria Taylor expressed her excitement about joining Go Book It, stating, “Having worked with Emma before, I was thrilled to reconnect and learn about Go Book It. The concept and motivations behind Emma’s creation sold me instantly. It’s incredibly fulfilling to be part of a company redefining event planning for both suppliers and customers. Our goal is to continue to grow our supplier network and improve the overall user experience.”
Go Book It’s achievement in winning the ‘Events & Exhibitions Rising Star’ award underscores the company’s commitment to excellence and its potential for continued growth and success in the events industry.
Author: Adam Parry
Adam is the co-founder and editor of www.eventindustrynews.com Adam, a technology evangelist also organises Event Tech Live, Europe’s only show dedicated to event technology and the Event Technology Awards. Both events take place in November, London.
