Team Swan

Back home after a mammoth few days at Celtic Manor delivering the Annual (and infamous) Hoseasons Owners Conference.

It was full on, that’s for sure. What a blast though! From the moment we arrived, it was go, go, GO. The months of planning came into reality. It’s an incredible feeling being able to look back at all the things we’ve talked about and see them come to life in front of your eyes. We definitely hit the brief on this one.

So proud to work alongside these powerhouses to make up ‘Team Swan’. And believe me there was a lot of paddling going on at time. A few tears, a lot of laughs and more memories in the bank.

So far the feedback has been great. All of the external speakers were very well received. A lot of mancrushing on Jason Fox and that was just the staff! What a lovely guy he is.

Rounded off the evening being the glamorous assistant handing over awards. Apparently my dress was very sparkly under the lights. It was definitely in keeping with our modern 70s evening theme – inspired by our final act of the night Bjorn Again!

The dance floor was packed, branded glow sticks in hand. What a way to end a packed day.

I am one very proud Events Manager tonight. I’m also one very tired and achy bunny.

Smashed it

Bit late but I’ve just stopped after a 19.5 hour day! What a bloody brilliant day. Not without it’s challenges. But wouldn’t be an event without those!

The main thing is that all of the delegates had a good time and Simon is happy.

I can’t tell you how proud I am of what we’ve achieved in the past couple of days.

My feet are wrecked. I ache all over. And I haven’t eaten enough. Standard after an event of this size.

Now time for bed. There will be some sore heads tomorrow that’s for sure. My job here is done…

Manor House

Isn’t this window stunning? It was the view on my way to breakfast. Part of Celtic Manor is a very old Manor House. That’s the bit I’m staying in. Not that I’ve spent very long in my room.

Today was pre-con day. The day when we check everything with the hotel. And then make a billion changes to everything we just agreed.

Still the first batch of people have arrived. And all have room. Phew. Always a nervy time.

Things kick off tomorrow so here’s to another day of running around like an idiot. Sorry, that should be gliding around gracefully like a swan. Let’s see which one it actually is?!

Advance party

I’ve arrived!! Really smooth run through. And with only one pee stop. Blimey Wales is a long way from Norfolk.

This is the calm before the chaos starts tomorrow. We hit the pool. Well I say pool, it was more jacuzzi, stream room and sauna. It’s more than I got to do last year. And will probably be the last time I see it before I leave.

We headed over to one of the restaurants for dinner. This one is in the clubhouse that was built for the Ryder Cup in 2010. It’s pretty cool. As was my dinner. A winning start me thinks.

Plans

Today has been all about checking the plans for next week’s conference. I’m rather cross-eyed from staring at spreadsheets, documents and emails.

It takes months of planning and so much work to put on a conference – even a small one. This is a big one. I’ve been doing events for many years and it still surprises me when people think they just happen.

Today’s checks were to make sure that we have the right number of bums on seats, the right beds for the duration and that we had all of the dietaries and allergies. I’d really rather not accidentally poison someone. And go through the running order for the millionth time.

Few last bits to sort and then off on Sunday. Sure there will be stuff that comes up. I will be in full ‘swan-mode’ next week. So exciting!!

Bee happy

I bought some new tea towels a while back but had used them yet. Today I got this one out. Isn’t it lovely?

I love bees. It’s wonderful watching them buzz around my garden. They’re so industrious. Always on a mission or so it seems.

Bit like me today. I definitely clocked up done laptop hours today. I’m a week out from the big conference I’m supporting. So lots and lots of admin to be done. Good job I love a spreadsheet. I think I had 8 open today at one point. Lot of briefing calls too.

I’ve been a busy bee today. And if it all goes to plan, my clients will bee very happy too.

Hard at it

It’s been full on this week. I’m two weeks out for the big conference I’m helping to organise. It’s hit that stage where there are lots of deadlines and moving parts. It’s been a bit chaotic. But nothing I can’t handle. Well today anyway.

It helps when I have the best stress outlet going. Though today, someone was a tad spooky. Buddy was very weirded out by the cobwebs everywhere. To be fair to him, there were everywhere!! Guess he’s not a fan of Halloween.

High flyer

Back home after my trip to Birmingham. Day two of the conference didn’t disappoint. Today’s keynote speaker was Mandy Hickson.

Mandy fought hard to achieve her ambition to be a Royal Air Force pilot. She was only the second woman to fly the Tornado GR4 on the front line, amassing over thirty years experience within aviation, completing three tours of duty and 45 missions over Iraq during that time.

Talk about inspirational! Of course there were a few references to Top Gun. And yes, she’s met Tom Cruise.

Delegate

Makes a change to be in the audience. But I think it’s actually more exhausting than running the show. My little brain is full to bursting. And we’re back tomorrow.

It’s been a lot of information. It’s really true what they say ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’.

I’m still very new in my entrepreneurial journey. It’s interesting hearing from those a few chapters (or novels) ahead of me.

I’m also not fully comfortable calling myself an entrepreneur yet. That and I can’t spell it. I’m more comfortable with business owner. But maybe that’s part of the journey too.

Wide load

Well it’s not every day you see half a house driving down the motorway. Made me wonder where the other half was!!

Yes I’ve been on my travels again. This time a day trip to Birmingham to do a hotel site visit for a conference in 2024! It’s been a long day. But a very productive one.