Nikki Fhalora, Interim Head of Venue Hire and Catering at the Natural History Museum, shares her thoughts on what International Women’s Day, Friday 8thMarch, means to the events industry. 

I feel lucky to work in an industry that encourages everyone to succeed and champions those that work hard, whether they are men or women.

I have worked in the events industry since graduating with a degree in History in 2010, starting my career in an events planning agency, before moving onto a venue-hire sales role in 2012. Five years later I joined Natural History Museum, heading up the sales team as Senior Events Manager. It was the perfect home for me to combine my passion for history with my organisation and planning skills.

After working in the industry for nearly a decade, it gives me a great source of pride to see there are so many successful and talented women leading the way. In order to be successful, you are required to be extremely well organised, a good communicator and have the drive to give it all you’ve got – skills that you’d expect any career-driven professional to possess. 

The theme for this year’s International Woman’s Day is balance – my belief is that the industry reflects this. There are inspirational women across our client base, within our supplier teams and here at the Museum; where I head up a team of exceptional women that are spearheading the events division of the Natural History Museum.

I am inspired by anyone who strives to be the best they can be, including women who create balance by focusing on their career, their family, or other goals in their lives simultaneously. Women are ambitious, strong and driven, but they can also be caring, empathetic and kind, all in their own unique way, which means they can bring a new dynamic to teams and their environment.

On the reflection of this important day, I would simply like to encourage all people – women and men, to go out and work hard for the things that they are passionate about; it is down to us, as individuals, to prove that we are extremely capable and hardworking, and have the ability to be as successful as we want to be.

Adam Parry
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.