1. Please tell me about yourself (what is your role)?

I am the Exhibition Manager for the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) which takes place annually in Abu Dhabi in March. GIBTM is the region’s largest platform and networking place for meetings and events professionals. My role is to lead a large team, from the Reed Travel Exhibitions office in Dubai and the UK Head Office, to deliver a successful and ground breaking event for the industry year on year. I manage all aspects of the show from sales, marketing, PR, operations and the award winning Hosted Buyer Programme.

 

2. How did you get into the business world?

      
I completed my BA Honours degree in Psychology and Media at Leeds University, United Kingdom, in 2004. I immediately went into full time employment at a Media Advertising Company where I started my professional career as a Sales Executive selling advertising space for the local newspaper.  I realised quickly that I had the hunger for sales and decided to apply my skills in the retail industry where I was appointed as a Store Manager for a leading UK high fashion brand, responsible for not only driving sales but managing a large team. This role was crucial for me in that it helped develop my people and management skills, and I grew a great passion for management and face-to-face interaction. I have always envisioned that I would adapt my organisational and leadership skills to the events industry. Consequently I accepted a position within a large events company where I excelled. I have been very lucky to work in a diverse range of organisations, which has developed me into the professional I am today.

I have lived in the UAE for over 5 years now, and have been responsible for managing some of the region’s largest and most successful events such as the Dubai International Boat Show, Saudi International Boat Show and the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Middle East Exhibition and now I work for Reed Travel Exhibitions, the world’s largest event organiser to manage GIBTM.

 

My ethos is that I always lead by example. I would never ask anyone to do something that I wouldn’t do myself. I also firmly believe in empowering my team to bring out the best in them. Feeling valued in your work place is critical to achieving the best results. I encourage a dynamic and innovative environment and mind set in the office, constantly aiming to push my team and myself to excel.

 

I think that this ultimately depends on which industry the individual is working in. For example, in the events and exhibitions industry, which requires an immense amount of multi-tasking, organisation and forward planning, I believe that women best demonstrate such qualities.  However, there are other professions where male skills are more appropriate.

Seeing women in senior positions has become more commonplace in recent years, indicating a transition of the region’s business culture. There are definite signs that this mindset is already changing as part of this evolutionary process, so one only needs to allow this process to take its natural course.

6. How do you deal with pressure and problems of work, what do you do to relax?

 
The Exhibitions industry is renowned for being fast paced, highly competitive and intense at critical periods during the show cycle. It is what most Event Managers will say attracts them to the role in the first place! It is however crucial to have the right balance of work and personal life. Whilst we (Event Managers) constantly are putting in the early mornings and late nights when the show is on the horizon, down time is essential for a clear and well balanced mind to achieve optimum success and results. I think we are all guilty of not having enough ‘me’ time; it is sometimes difficult to switch off when you are so passionate about your job and the show. I try to spend my time relaxing as much as possible through sports, socialising and reading.

Embrace the local culture and be respectful. Working in the UAE is a fantastic opportunity for all business professionals. Follow your heart, be true to yourself, lead by example, work hard, be compassionate and always do your work to the best of your ability. You will always get back what you put in.  I am a great believer in Karma. Respect your job and your fellow peers around you. Be patient but always focused on your ultimate goal, as good things come to those who wait.

8. Are there any particular qualities a businesswoman should have?

As I have mentioned before, a strong business woman leads by example.  She should have elegance, decorum and compassion.  I live my whole life, not just in the work place, with these values. I strongly believe in the power of positivity and allowing team members to assume responsibly for their work and the decisions they make. It encourages the best out of people, by allowing them the room for personal growth but also teaching them that for every action there is a consequence. Some actions turn out to be good, some less so. But allowing them to make mistakes is the only way to learn and improve. It is not until you have fallen many times, picked your self up again and moved on, that you truly learn.

 

I have been very fortunate for the opportunities I have been given. They have not come easily though. It has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs that have required pure grit, passion, hard work, dedication and the ability to keep going against all the odds. I am perceived as being a fairly young business woman in my position. I have climbed the ladder quickly and have learnt to adapt my skills to working in a very tough and competitive Middle Eastern market across several different industries. I am proud of my achievements so far in my career, but I always strive to be better. Life is always throwing challenging obstacles our way, and if it didn’t, life would be very boring! All I know is that in whatever I do, I stay true to myself and give 100% every time.

I am of course biased, as I am very passionate about the Events and Exhibitions industry. It is a very challenging, exciting and rewarding profession to choose. If you are hard working and believe in yourself, it can be personally and financially rewarding.

11. Which businesswoman would you say is your role model, and why?

Oprah Winfrey. She is an incredible and inspiring, strong woman. She teaches us to pick ourselves up through hard times and to forgive but most of all she teaches us to believe, to believe in ourselves and in our dreams. That is why she is so successful and such an influential woman and of course a positive role model.

12. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

My greatest strengths are that I am a people person. I am passionate about my professional relationships and take great pride in assisting both peers and clients alike to getting the best out themselves and their participation at my shows. Also my dedication, passion and commitment to the job at hand: I care deeply about each and every decision I make.

My greatest weakness I would say is that I am too much of a perfectionist which sometimes can be a hindrance.

There is a certain amount of luck involved in everything that we do in our lives, being in the right place at the right time can be a factor. However, I truly believe you make your own successes and create your own path in life. Having strong personal values and a clear goal in mind, both short term and long term, together with hard work will ultimately result in success. It sounds like a cliché, but what goes around, comes around. I live by it.