Running my first incentive by Ellie Frowd, Event Manager, Ulterior Events
Since UK specialist events and incentive agency Ulterior Events attended our inVOYAGE in Mykonos last year we’ve been working with the agency to map the journey of one of their younger team members. A voyage from university to joining the agency pre-pandemic, then successfully progressing to become an integral part of the team delivering high-end international incentives. This is a snapshot of Ellie’s journey.
Ellie Frowd, Event Manager, Ulterior Events
I’ve always thrived on the buzz of live events and knew early on that it was an industry I’d love to work in.
So I read Events Management at university and was over the moon to get a role at Ulterior Events soon after graduating.
I started out as an Event Administrator and spent a couple of years learning all about the industry and what the job entails, from setting up event databases to liaising with suppliers and managing event collateral such as working documents and accounts.
After two years learning the ropes, I progressed to Event Coordinator, which meant taking on more responsibility, managing some smaller UK events on my own and supporting the team with overseas incentives.
The path of progression was clear from the outset and I knew I’d have to host my own overseas incentive before I could be promoted to Event Manager. What I didn’t know was that the pandemic would come along, put a stop to all travel and a hold on my career in the process.
In 2019 I started planning a 20 person staff incentive trip due to run in May 2020 for Ulterior Events longstanding client Fujitsu.
However, by March 2020 the world ground to a halt and though we would never have guessed it at the time, it went on to be a full two years before we were able to run another incentive abroad.
By May 2022 I had arranged and rearranged the Mykonos trip four times owing to ever-changing Covid restrictions and regulations. So by the time I finally flew out there I was more determined than ever for everything to run seamlessly and our guests to have an incredible time.
Travel restrictions had made it impossible to get out to Mykonos for my recce so I flew there a few days ahead of the client to really familiarize myself with the area and every element of the incentive.
Exploring new places and seeing new things is what drives me and what I absolutely love about my job, so it felt amazing to be back out there again. We all did what we could in terms of virtual fam trips and site tours during the lockdowns but nothing beats being there in person.
By the time the group arrived I couldn’t wait to greet them, a little nervous too of course but our itinerary was too busy for me to dwell on that.
Over three nights and three days the group enjoyed some serious sightseeing, fantastic activities and amazing meals; from sailing around the Mykonos coastline on traditional Fisherman Boats to water sports and sunset cocktails in Little Venice followed by a traditional Greek feast and dancing.
Most of the programme went according to plan though a change in the weather and a difficult restaurant manager both put my event management skills to the test to ensure the best possible outcome for my group.
Being able to think on your feet and deal with people in tricky situations is a big part of working in events and I was happy with the way I handled things and how everything turned out.
I loved watching the group have a brilliant time and build connections with one another, particularly after such a strange few years.
I also relished the opportunity to foster my relationship with the client. Receiving glowing feedback and knowing that I was solely responsible for turning their vision for the incentive into a reality was a huge confidence boost.
The cherry on the top came a few weeks later when I got promoted to Event Manager - and tastes all the sweeter after a two-year delay!