As part of our ongoing ‘Freelancer Spotlight’ series we speak to Senior Events Manager Nick Miles. If you are self-employed and would like to take part in ‘Freelancer Spotlight’, email us at hello@createinsurance.co.uk
Q1: Tell us a bit about what you do?
I organise and manage events for my clients. I specialise in conferences and exhibitions but have worked on every imaginable event from a small intimate networking dinner to some of the world’s largest sporting events and gigs.
My role includes finding the perfect venue, speaker or act for my clients. I also book all the necessary suppliers for the event, including any AV, catering and staff. I will then be on site to manage the event.
Q2: How long have you been self-employed?
I own my own business (with one employee, me!), but the model I’ve adopted is very much of a freelancer which I have been doing for the last 7 years.
Q3: Why did you choose to become a freelancer/self-employed?
My business partner left the business (very amicably!), so it was a choice of going into full time employment or giving freelancing a go.
Q4: Can we see some examples of your work?
For the past couple of years, I’ve been involved with organising the Digital Festival: https://tradeandinvest.wales/events/digital-festival
I was lead project manager on last year’s Wales Tech Awards: https://technologyconnected.net/events/technology-awards-2020/
I help to organise a monthly networking event called ‘Digital Women Wales’: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13744870/
Q5: How has the coronavirus pandemic affected you and your business?
It’s completely devasted the events industry and unless we get a vaccine, it’s hard to see how we will be able to run anything ‘live’ for the foreseeable, this is why you’re seeing so many online events.
As for my business, all of my booked in business for the year disappeared in 12 hours in March. So, in a word, terrible!
Q6: What's one tip you would share with other freelancers to help stay positive through the pandemic?
Try and stay positive, do what you can for work, we will get back to doing what we do best, we just have to see it through.
Q7: Where can people go to find out more about you and your services?
My company website: www.neon-events.co.uk
My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickneon/
Q8. Can you tell us about a project you are really proud of?
I’m a massive fan of live sport and have been very lucky to have travelled the world working on some massive sporting events, so I would say successfully managing the sponsor’s pavilion at the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris was up there.
Q9. Who would be your dream client?
As I said, I’m a massive sports fan and I’m really into playing and watching tennis, so working with Wimbledon or another major tournament would be a dream come true.
Create Insurance offers specialist insurance cover for freelancers and small businesses in the events industry – get instant cover on public liability, professional indemnity, equipment insurance and more.
