Its purpose is to define, identify and capture ESSA members' wants and needs, with a focus on all aspects of talent development and retention, recruitment, skills/training and employee nurturing.
Find out more about the Future Focus Board Members below:
| Louis Moorcraft, FreemanAs a Senior Client Solutionist, I oversee Freeman’s involvement in the events we deliver from a financial, operational, and client relationship point of view. I liaise directly with organisers to discuss everything from contract renewals and budgets, to their specific show requirements and cross-functional Freeman services. This is all with the ultimate aim of providing an outstanding customer experience and ensuring our customers events are as successful as they can be. A crucial aspect of my job is building meaningful, long-lasting relationships with my clients, which is one of my favourite parts of the role! The reason I was so keen to join the ESSA future focus board, was to try and make a difference. As event professionals, we are being introduced to the exhibition industry younger than ever before, and with this brings a level of expectation. One example is the necessity for information at a faster pace and the hunger for new ideas. If we could tap into this zeitgeist, we could really create a stir. |
 | Chloe Retter, Aztec Event ServicesI started my journey back in 2011, joining Aztec at the age of 21 as an industry novice with no real understanding of what a live event or exhibition entailed.7 years later and now head of sales, I have a watched and learned from industry legends, both clients and suppliers that have helped shape me into the person many of you now see now on your show floor. The shameful thing is I didn’t choose to go into events, I didn’t go to university and do an event management degree or had any real intention of ending up here, like most people I fell into it with transferable skills, however the people in this industry are what kept me here, I have been very lucky to be nurtured and trained by such a talented mixture of individuals. This is why I am so passionate about being part of the ESSA Futures Board, working to make sure we try and get more young people aiming to join us and aspiring to stay.I want to encourage them to come into this amazing industry and have the same experience I was luckily enough to have. One of our key objectives of the group is to encourage more young people into this industry and nurture and support them in their own journeys by driving awareness in key areas. I am ready to be part of a group championing young voices. |
 | Rebecca McIntosh, beMatrix UKI work as the Southern Account Manager for beMatrix UK, who are the manufacturer of the beMatrix custom-modular frame system for reinventing stand-building. I wanted to join the ESSA Futures Focus Board to play a part in encouraging more young people, like myself, to join this exciting and fast-paced industry. It is really interesting to me to see how I can contribute to this shared goal alongside the other members of the group, by increasing the participation of younger people into the Exhibitions and Events industry and finding ways in which we can attract more to join, through different initiatives, schemes and raising awareness. |
 | Jess Corbett, Concept FurnitureAt the age of 16, I left school without any idea of how I wanted to spend my life. I attempted an admin job at a local solicitor, quickly realising that this was not something I had any desire to pursue further. I unenthusiastically continued in this role until I received a phone call from Concept Furniture, asking if I was interested in beginning an admin role with them. My family have always worked in the exhibition industry, but I had never envisaged that I would follow in their footsteps and dedicate myself as they had done previously. Within three months at Concept, I was managing my own accounts and attending various exhibition build ups, to create working relationships that continue to strengthen to this day. I haven’t had much experience in any other business, but I know that ours is truly full of passion and absolute dedication. I have spent the last ten years working on some of the most amazing events and exhibitions and continue to strive to offer exceptional customer service. If I can make others feel as though their job has been made that little bit easier and their experience that little bit more memorable, then I would consider my days’ work a success. I want to be a part of the Industry’s progression and be able to say that ‘I helped to make that happen’. Encouraging others to leave their legacy, whilst building on my own. |
 | Marilyn Mahieu, AluvisionOne month after my graduation, I joined Aluvision in 2017 as the UK Sales Manager. Our dynamic team is a welcoming place where young talent is nurtured and given a lot of opportunities. Personally, I could not have found a better place to develop myself and fall in love with the Exhibitions and Event industry. Having experienced the importance of continued support from a company that believes in encouraging young talent myself, I was keen to join the ESSA Future Focus Board to raise awareness amongst young people for all the great possibilities our industry has to offer. |
 | Jake Tatlow, Expo FloorsHi, I’m Jake and I’m a Senior Sales Executive at Expo Floors Ltd. I joined the company in 2014 from a “Door to Door” sales role and have enjoyed every minute of getting to grips with this fast paced – and at times manic industry.! The Sales Team here at Expo work with customers in a more consultative way as we constantly liaise with our Operations Dept to ensure builds can happen exactly how a customer needs them too. The carpentry and logistical knowledge I’ve learnt helps me to advise customers how they can fulfil their desired outcome on any job. I’m really pleased to have been invited to join the Future Focus Board and I have two clear remits I want to champion. The first is sustainability - the products we use have given me a passion for helping to drive this agenda within this industry. The second is the promotion of the Events and Exhibition Industry as a career path to so many who may overlook it. There are so many new ways we are now all connecting and communicating with each other so the opportunities and ways you can work in this industry are endless |
 | Abs Patel, 2 Heads Global DesignI am an Account Executive at 2Heads an experiential marketing agency, we are a global collective of creatives, strategist, project managers and digital specialists with over 35 years delivering immersive experiences. My role entails working with some of the world’s leading brands to fuel conversations and create meaningful experiences for their audiences. It gives me great satisfaction developing strong relationships with clients, collaborating with them to deliver class-leading experiences on a global scale. I joined the ESSA Futures Board as I have a solid passion for the development of young people within the industry. I believe the up and coming new generation should be mentored by inspiring leaders giving them the opportunity to identify their strengths and motivations thus enabling them to positively influence and shape the future of this industry. I look forward to meeting with other ESSA members who are also keen to shape the future of our industry. |
 | Sharika Yuen, The Event & Exhibition Partnership Ltd (EEP)I was traveling around Europe in 2010 when I stopped in London and began working with The Event & Exhibition Partnership Ltd (EEP) as a safety steward at Goodwood Revival . Working there was a fantastic experience and I soon found that the event lifestyle suited me. I progressed into senior roles and was encouraged by EEP to get involved in more and more management areas within the company. I’ve worked as an Operations Manager at some exciting and prestigious events and venues including RHS Chelsea Flower Show, The Farnborough Air Show, Hampton Court Palace Festival, Brighton Marathon, Winter Wonderland, Taste Festivals, Ascot and Goodwood to name a few! For nearly two years I have been General Manager of Support Services and I am heartened to be involved in the ESSA Future Focus Board to really help champion the future of the events industry. I want to promote the possibilities to young people and support their development and training in order to build higher talent retention and the long-term enthusiasm that I still possess. There is only joy in being a part of a successful event cultivated from the teamwork of passionate industry professionals. Let’s share the joy. |
 | Oliver Smart, Jonas Event TechnologyOliver Smart is the Event Technical Manager at Jonas Event Technology (JET) trading as Show Data Systems. In August 2017, Oliver joined JET to assist the Operations Department in helping with a particularly busy Autumn season. Since, Oliver has quickly become a vital member of the team, injecting fresh ideas and implementing many new process and procedures; continuously making operational efficiencies and benefiting interdepartmental workflows. Now, Oliver is building a new team specialising in technical and service support, across the many different services JET provides. In Oliver’s words: My interest to join the Future Focus Board stemmed from attending the 2019 ESSA AGM. At the AGM, I gauged a true feeling of ESSA’s impact on its members, and equally as a whole on the industry. The Future Focus board has an amazing opportunity to empower ESSA with an alternative view on industry future affects and focuses, especially within talent development and recruitment. His favourite quote is, we are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act but a habit, by Aristotle. |
 | Cormac Starling, KortenBy attending exhibition events from an early age, spending multiple summers working in the company warehouse, and recently returning to the industry as a Project Manager, I have developed a wide ranging and in-depth knowledge of the industry. I hold a passion for training and in-work skills development, which I was lucky enough to study as part of my post-graduate degree and further underpin my knowledge working in the further education and apprenticeships sector |
 | Donald Muriro, GESI started my journey with GES as a Project Manager in May 2019 and as an industry novice. I’m extremely grateful to have the honour and responsibility for the design and build of bespoke stands for some of the largest blue-chip aerospace & defence companies such as Lockheed Martin, L3 Harris and Boeing. Working on different projects so far has been cool, exciting yet some-what challenging but yearning regardless. My first ESSA conference has painted a colourful picture highlighting that the Futures Focus Board was the future for me as I discovered a wide spectrum of opportunities. I am very keen on advising and mentoring, I enjoy succeeding and bringing the best out of anybody if I am given the opportunity. I am fervent to bring my experience to this role, adding value to the industry and creating opportunities for the future generation. I am convinced that together will identify and challenge issues in our industry whilst developing its direction for the future |
