Many thanks to international event specialist, Karla Pleasance who shared her time and expertise with our event management and sports management classes today - all the way from Dubai!
Karla shared her 25 years of experience, from ExCeL London start up through to her recent life, producing events right across the UAE ...and Kuwait for good measure!
Karla has lived and worked in the UAE for the last 11 years where her first role was Production Manager of the Abu Dhabi Red Bull Air Races. Known by her peers as a VERY detailed orientated multitasker, capable of communicating on all levels, Karla's time with our students was a very valuable introduction to the life of an international event planner and freelancer.
More about Karla...
A seasoned event professional with 25+ years’ experience having worked on all sides of the industry (organiser, venue, agency, contractor, and freelance). In her earliest career Karla qualified as a professional ballet teacher however moved into sales with The Sunday Times when she realised she wanted a more social and broader experience. From there, Karla found her first role in the events industry with ITE, am exhibition organising company, and in a position that took her frequently to Russia and her first taste of the global event world.
Moving on to Reed Exhibitions, Karla was then offered a role with one of the most exciting industry start-ups in Europe, ExCeL London. Her role as an event manager at ExCeL London was significantly operations and logistics focussed, coupled with the need for high level communication skills for client liaison and retention.
Karla used her extensive industry experience and network to launch her own business as a Freelance Event Project Manager and Producer. She has since worked in both freelance and contract roles in both the UK and the United Arab Emirates working on high profile, large budget, high volume events and key industry clients including:
Mobile Asia Congress (Macau)
Defence Systems Equipment International (DSEi, London)
Anthony Robbins - Unleash the Power Within (UPW London)
British International Motor Show (London)
Red Bull Air races (Abu Dhabi)
Red Bull Flugtag (Kuwait)
Event projects for BlackBerry, Etisalat and Ford (UAE)
Event Planing Manager with ADNEC the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company - including event management for IDEX Opening Ceremony, World Future Energy Summit, ADIPEC (Abu Dhabi)
Events Team Leader, Society of Petroleum Engineers: Oil and Gas Congresses (Qatar and Dubai)
Production Manager, Smirnoff Sound Collective Festival (Dubai)
Senior Manager-technical, WorldSkills (Abu Dhabi)
Project Manager, Global Education & Skills Forum, Global Teacher Prize Gala and GESF Live (Dubai)
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