#EventProf of the week: Caroline Rogers, freelancer

Each week, we will focus on a StandOut individual who has been extraordinary within the events industry. This week it is Caroline Rogers, freelancer.

How did you get into the events industry? Where has your career taken you and what roles have you enjoyed?

I have always loved competing in and watching sport since a young age. I vividly remember, aged ten, asking my mum to set the alarm for some crazy time in the middle of the night so that I could watch Adrian Moorhouse race in the 100m breaststroke final in the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988. Sport has always been and continues to play a huge part in my life.

I played tennis at school and university tennis which led me to land my first role in sport at Wimbledon aged 20. Despite the position being offered at short notice and with no accommodation lined up, I was determined to make the most of this rare opportunity and headed down to London with just a suitcase and a bit of money. I had the most fabulous two weeks working in the media centre on its first year of opening.

This coincided with the Williams sisters breaking onto the tennis scene and Cliff Richards entertaining the crowds when rain continually stopped play – it really was something special!

It was after being captivated by the excitement and buzz of working on live international sports that I decided to make this my career and I am extremely lucky and grateful to have since had the opportunity to go on to work on some of the biggest and best events in the world including the Football World Cup, Champions League Final, and Cricket World Cup.

What a privilege it is to be about make a career out of something you love!

What is it about your job that you love doing?

Sports events professionals are typically positive, passionate and driven individuals who share the same ambition of coming together to deliver world class experiences. Many of the people I have worked with over the past 17 years have gone on to become friends for life and I really enjoy sharing in, and celebrating the successes they achieve working in sport and major events around the world from Australia, Japan and Zimbabwe to Orkney and back home in Manchester.

I have also loved witnessing the shift that occurred in the global sports events industry over the past 20 years where a greater emphasis has been placed on ensuring that events of this size and influence are used as a platform to drive social, economic, and environmental change. Whether it be in terms of  community engagement, social inclusion, growth of investment in sport at grassroots level or encouraging environmental sustainability to be at the forefront of decision making throughout the whole of the event planning and delivery cycle.

Event organisers, venue operators, host local areas, key stakeholders and government agencies are now more accountable than ever before (and rightly so!) to ensure tangible long lasting, meaningful impacts are delivered long, long after the event has finished.

What’s been the stand out moment of your career so far?

Whilst it wasn’t the most influential or senior role I have ever held, working as a volunteer in the media operations centre at the Sydney Olympic Games 2000 will always hold a very special place in my heart. I can still remember ascending into Sydney Olympic Park and feeling really emotional that I was able to play my small part in delivering “the greatest show on earth”. I was in absolute awe of all of the athletes and the hive of activity that was being done behind the scenes to capture incredible displays of sporting excellence and share them around the world.

I was also fortunate to be in Sydney Olympic Stadium when Cathy Freeman won gold in the 400m in front of a 110,000 crowd in her home country. Nothing gets much better and holds greater symbolic significance – the first Indigenous Australian athlete to win a gold medal, when calls for reconciliation were at an all-time high, she represented for many a beacon of strength and pride.

This opportunity galvanised my ambition to work hard and build up my skills, knowledge and experience in the sports events industry.

What’s been your biggest achievement? Equally, what have you done that you can now look back on and would have done differently?

I would consider the longevity and diversity of my career as my biggest achievement and in recent years following the birth of my daughter, being able to successfully maintain a purposeful and rewarding career alongside a healthy work/family balance. The events industry can be brutal in terms of the hours, demands of the job, and time required away from home and it can often be viewed as a young persons’ game. However, I feel that I have adapted and adjusted well, sought out opportunities that accommodate my change in personal circumstances and enable me to continue to learn and grow professionally and be involved in some amazing projects.

Whilst I am openly confident and outgoing, there have been times when I have questioned my own abilities and not shared my views or voiced my concerns in scenarios when it mattered. I, therefore, wish that I had had the courage to trust my knowledge, back myself more and speak up more. I guess that this is all part of human growth and is easy to advise retrospectively.

What key pieces of advice would you give to someone starting in events?

I would always encourage to get as much practical and direct experience across as many different facets of the events industry to gain a real insight into the different functional areas and operations to understand what you really enjoy and where you feel your skills and personality are best suited. I started out in media operations but have since worked across competition venues, athletes’ villages, sports equipment, athlete welfare, fan engagement and road races.

I would also encourage anyone to take a proactive approach, seek out voluntary opportunities, build your network of connections and be willing to put in the hard work. The events industry can be really competitive but those who are ready to be an excellent and supportive team player, show integrity and a willingness to learn will build the trust and respect of those around them and ultimately be rewarded.

Nominate your #EventProf of the week or sponsor an #EventProf and align your brand with the best in the industry by emailing marketing@standoutmagazine.co.uk