When the dust settles

By Emmanuel Manalad

“Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe with all your heart, live for it, die for it and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours”

-            Dale Carnegie

Professionally I have been in the events industry just shy of 6 years, though I don’t recall a time where events have not been a part of life. Now I’m sure I can identify the cause of this. Be it my Filipino heritage and our constant love of food and parties every other weekend, or my innate nature ‘to have something to look forward to.’ I’ve been organising events since my early teens as part of a youth ministry. Having been part of planning, logistics and documenting those events through photography back then, I never knew that I would want to make a career out of these experiences. Before this becomes a life story, I think back to what’s at the heart of events – an intent to CONNECT.

Events of any type are hollow without both the need and desire to connect. This is what I believe we as event professionals can enable. For me the fundamental of events, being to connect, is a spark that is too often overlooked. Our CEO Peter McDonald has previously drawn the analogy of an event to an iceberg. We have the capacity to see the fuller picture, one within which the most meaningful connections can be created.

This may be the opportune moment to take a minute to remember what it is that you love about the industry. I find taking a step back and re-examining the basics to be a great idea once ‘the dust settles.’

I like to ask myself “What connections have made long lasting impressions on me?”

Perhaps this may not be the question for you though.

What about events connects with you?

Is it the adrenaline of constantly being on the go or the challenge of meticulous preparation without deviating from the plan?

Is it the ability to solve puzzles and find the solution?

This is certainly what is running through my mind now that we have wrapped Evolve 2024 and something I revisit after I become exhausted or have made an achievement in my career. Whilst I ask myself the same questions building upon existing connections and making new ones will always be a highlight. My role with MEA throws me in the thick of this, we all have such diverse backgrounds and areas of the industry that without each other we cannot complete the experience. I can certainly say that for me, the opportunity to listen to and learn about areas of the industry that I have not experienced gets me motivated.

Since I joined MEA team earlier in the year, some of you will have come to know me in a membership sense and others as administrator of the MEA Awards program. My role is fundamentally about forming lasting connections by the industry with MEA. Having read each individual Awards submission I have found that culturing an environment for memorable experiences and meaningful relationships begins with you, the individuals who constitute this industry. This may be the bottom of the iceberg in terms of visibility, but certainly it’s this which keeps everything above it afloat. I am grateful to have now met in person some to whom I’ve been the person on the other side of the screen or at the other end of the phone line. In many cases those initial interactions served to make the eventual face-to-face moments more significant!

To tie it all back to the Dale Carnegie quote I referenced. Are you bored with life? I hope that the answer is a “No”. The connections we foster are the oxygen of our industry’s lifeblood. We don’t just work in events; we live and breath events. I can say that for me, it brings a level of fulfilment I haven’t found elsewhere. It is my hope that this is something you too can say for yourself!

I believe that being a MEA member is invaluable for individuals and businesses alike. I take pleasure when I witness our connections with existing members strengthen, and when the potential membership offers materialises for new members as they build connections, share stories, and create spectacular experiences! I’m ready and available to help anyone reading this who’s not currently a member understand how belonging to MEA can add value for them.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions about our Membership program.

Have a great day!