Steele Public Relations is delighted to welcome Hayley Garner as Events Manager Associate. Hayley has many years of event management work experience, and we are very excited for her to contribute to the work that Steele delivers on a regular basis. 

 We recently spoke to Hayley about her new role as a partner for Steele, as well as her previous work experience, and why she is looking forward to this new opportunity. 

 Firstly, could you tell us about your new role as an Associate for Steele Public Relations? 

My new role will be providing specialised event management and delivery to support clients of Steele Public Relations. I’ll be looking after the planning, operations and management of events such as university graduations, corporate dinners, conferences, exhibitions, consultation events, networking events. 

What influenced your decision to work alongside Beverley and her organisation? 

Beverley and her team have a great working culture and I am really looking forward to being part of their collaborative and creative team. I am excited about working alongside other passionate and like-minded individuals, and I hope to learn and grow within this team. 

Could you tell us about your background as an events specialist? 

I have a decade of experience working within the fast-paced hospitality industry, working in diverse sectors from breweries, hotel resorts and luxury events venues. Each role required unique skills which helped to develop and progress me, ultimately leading me to where I find myself today. This diversity has given me expertise at both the planning and delivery phase of events, so I am able to bring all those perspectives to this role. 

What do you consider to be the key differences between in-person networking events, virtual events, and hybrid events? 

Initially, I thought virtual and hybrid events couldn’t possibly give the same guest experience as in-person events. However, with advances in technology and interactive experiences, guests are still able to be fully immersed and engaged. In addition, virtual/hybrid events can be more accessible globally to engage a broader audience whilst minimising impact on our planet by reducing emissions related to travel. 

 How have you seen networking events evolve since the height of the pandemic? 

As the pandemic took hold the way of life changed overnight, driven by the need to keep business moving forward, we saw that meetings, events, and customer site visits all went online and this drive acceleration of platforms for people to engage in more innovative ways. Virtual events have advanced so that people can communicate and hold events far more effectively. I think there is still an enormous benefit to in-person events. However, for some clients, the reduced costs and quicker delivery time of a virtual event give more flexibility. 

Could you tell us about other highlights of your career thus far, such as your role as a manager of one of the successful Bod bar chain in Cheshire and Stoke-on-Trent? 

Both of my recent roles have involved launching brand new venues, and I found both opportunities exciting and challenging as new issues are coming up each day that needs to be addressed quickly to ensure our clients and customers have the experience they expect. Generally, though, I just get a buzz from the excitement from my team. I thoroughly enjoyed getting a business off the ground; it takes great organisation skills and a calm head when under pressure. 

 Finally, what do you consider to be the main attributes that you will bring to your role as Event Manager Associate for Steele Public Relations? 

I am hoping to add another string to the bow for Steele Public Relations. My passion is events, and I am incredibly customer focused and I work hard to ensure their expectations are met or exceeded ideally. My diverse career has given me a unique perspective, particularly at the delivery end of events, so I will know what is most important to get right in the planning stages to ensure an event runs flawlessly. 

Physical vs Virtual Events - What works best in 2023?