As the meeting and events industry takes the route out of lockdown and begins welcoming clients back to hosting events, we thought we would introduce you to some key team members who have been working behind the scenes throughout the pandemic and are now back and taking event bookings for 2021 and beyond.
Meet Kathryn Cannell, Head of Events Delivery. We asked Kathryn to share some insights into what it’s like working at Keele University Events and Conferencing over the last 18 months:
How has your role changed/developed in the last 12 months?
“I have been seconded to support University activity on campus with a team of staff from all areas of campus. The team set up all the teaching space to comply with COVID guidelines, signposted the campus, put in one-way systems and monitor all social spaces on campus to ensure social distancing, mask wearing etc is adhered to. We are operating the Keele reception area and helping students, visitors and staff on site with any queries.
“We are also continuing to operate a sales enquiry desk via home working with the business development team and keep our clients updated. We are managing core University activity on campus when required, such as exams, clearing and Open days. My role is more varied and supports all areas of campus, with a mixture of working on campus and at home, balancing sales and events activity and COVID responsibilities. We are also preparing Keele Hall for the re-opening of events activity in early summer.”
What did you do during your time on furlough? Did you finally do something you’ve been meaning to do for years? Did you find a new hobby?
“I wasn’t furloughed and worked throughout the past year, helping with the response to covid at the University.”
What are you most looking forward to about KUEC reopening for business?
“Being able to welcome guests back on to campus to celebrate personal occasions or meet face to face with colleagues for business meetings and training. To get the team back together and enjoy the satisfaction of delivery events activity.”
What do you hope for the next 12 months at KUEC?
“I hope that we are able to operate in ‘normal’ circumstances as soon as possible and have a bumper year of events. We have learnt to adapt and be flexible and we have been able to streamline processes and think outside the box more to find solutions. We are also learning new skills in the digital world to deliver online event activity.”
“This year has been a challenge, but also brought us new opportunities and skills. I am very proud of what our Events and Conferencing team have achieved and how they have adapted to new COVID roles. I am looking forward to having the team back to together after working on separate projects over the past few months.”