Explore every episode of the podcast Behind The Clipboard Expert Event Tips

In this episode, event experts Melissa Howie and Tamara Cook tackle a topic that hits close to home for many in our events industry: BURNOUT. Joined by special guest, Sarah Reuter, CEO of Elevate Travel Co. we explore the signs of burnout from tight deadlines to high-pressure events in the exhilarating but exhausting events world. Sharing raw stories from the front lines, we give practical strategies on how to rejuvenate, function, and maintain your passion while delivering unforgettable event experiences.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes wisdom from experienced events professionals!

Choosing the right photographer and videographer for your event is crucial; it can make or break your event’s visuals with a knock-on effect in many places. So how do you find the perfect shooter? In this episode, we’ll walk you through the key steps to confidently select, vet, and brief photographers and videographers to ensure your event is captured flawlessly. We’ll dive into what to look for, key questions to ask, and the key elements they need from your brief to streamline the process and deliver stunning results.

Event imagery can go on to have many lives: socials, marketing campaigns, websites, emails, media coverage, even live slide shows shown at the event itself. So getting the right people to shoot your footage and images needs to be taken seriously. It's a chunky ep, for all of the above reasons...

Tam and Mel x

Bridging the gap between study, ambition, and employment is one of the biggest hurdles for budding eventies trying to break into the industry. Tam and Mel are huge advocates for assisting people to get started in event management, but how do you actually get that dream job? Today we discuss ways people can fast track their way to work in events, and how experienced managers can encourage, mentor and support them to get there.

Today we’re bringing you Our Hot list of Event Management Don’ts!

We’re recording on a Friday, we’re exhausted and full of tips from the recent events we’ve run and attended. We've compiled a list of our pet peeves - all the things people shouldn’t do when running professional events - that can send a good event manager in the wrong direction momentarily, or catastrophically.

Links to Audio Visual Tips, as mentioned during the show:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/audio-visual-part-1/id1457486162?i=1000458470137 

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/audio-visual-part-2/id1457486162?i=1000459124466 

Post Event Processes. We know you're tired and hangry and your feet hurt, but there's still work do to! We’ve done an poddy on post event reporting (see link) but that just makes up one component of what we’re talking about in today's show. The actions you take following an event are just as important as your duties pre-event. They are the final steps in extraordinary event management and they inform both the event team, and the client, on how the event went, what can be improved, what can be repeated because it was so incredibly good, and what can be deleted and never spoken of again. Here are your top ten steps to following up after the event.

Listen to expert Event Report tips:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/post-event-reporting-the-best-party-trick/id1457486162?i=1000601674341

Behind the Clipboard podcast is recorded in Boorloo on the land of the Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation, and we pay respect at all our First Nations people around the country and the globe.

Just keep swimming – No one’s going to die – 123 breathe – Be a duck (if you know, you know)

Event planning is in the top ten listed stressful jobs in the world. Top ten, people! Right behind surgery, hostage negotiation and firefighting.

We only have one chance to get it right and often hundreds of thousands, to millions of dollars have been poured into our ability to make the right decisions at the right time.

The best event planners are the ones who remain calm under enormous pressure, plastering on a face of authority and diligence, often assuring everyone around us that everything is fine – even when it isn’t! But good event planners know how to fix it – whatever it is, there’s a solution. Today we’ve compiled our top tips to remain calm when the pressure’s on!

'Cost of living' is on everyone's lips, but there are many thrifty ways to stretch planning budgets and still curate events that wow. So how do we impress attendees when budgets are tight and demand is high? Here are our top tips for keeping the wow-factor on a lot less coin.

Link to Tam's original article as published in spice Magazine: https://www.spicenews.com.au/spice-loves/event-hacks-budget-beating-tips-for-planners/

It's all over the news right now – DEI: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 

Mel and Tam believe that a deliberate and considered focus on DEI and safety is critical to creating fantastic event experiences. So, as this is an educational podcast sharing the best tools of the trade, we’re giving you a comprehensive checklist of how you can practically insert DEI approaches into your events. Use it as a base to expand and create your own best practice when managing events.

Behind the Clipboard podcast is recorded in Boorloo on the land of the Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation, and we pay respect at all our First Nations people around the country and the globe.

Your Hosts: 

Tamara Cook, Director, Known Associates Events 

Melissa Howie, Event Solutions Manager, Known Associates Events

Behind the Clipboard Podcast is powered by Known Associates Events - delvering premium corporate event management in Australia

AIME is THE event for corporate Event Managers and the adjacent community to attend in the Asia-Pacific region. People flock from all over the globe to learn, do business and connect with the industry at this fabulously run conference and expo held annually in Melbourne Australia.

Tam, Mel and Terence from Known Associates Events share their experience attending in 2024, and the highlights they’re expecting in 2025, including Tamara presenting on stage at the Ideas Academy!

If you’re an Event Manager or in the business event community in any capacity, you need to be at this event! Tune in and we’ll tell you why…

*This podcast is not sponsored and is a genuine reflection on our personal experience of the AIME event – which was GREAT!

www.aime.com.au

Charity Tam mentions for stationary donations: www.givewrite.org.au 

Behind the Clipboard is recorded in Boorloo acknowledging the Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation, and we pay respect to all our First Nations people.

Tam and Mel attend and manage several IWD events each year.

2024 events got the whole Known Associates office talking about who's doing it well, how some events could improve, and which styles are making genuine, meaningful change. Terence Smith joins the ladies for a robust look at International Women's Day events in 2024.

We'd love to hear your thoughts! Connect with us on instgram or LinkedIn.

Hosts Melissa Howie, Tamara Cook and special guest, Terence Smith.

@knownassociatesevents

@behindtheclipboard

Today we’re talking about our favourite topic – getting drinks! Bar service is often pivotal to live events whether we’re serving alcoholic drinks or mocktails. But today we’re going to focus on the service of alcohol and the balance between our responsibilities as event professionals, and our guests having fun!

This episode was recorded on Whadjuk Nyoongar boodja and we pay our respects to our First Nations owners of our beautiful country.

Today we’re breaking down things we wish our clients knew. It’s a bit of a doozy as we lift the lid on what goes on behind the scenes. From obscure things we have to google to come up with unique ideas, to the amount of time it takes to put together a proposal. Let’s go!

BTC Podcast is recorded on First Nations land, Whadjuk Noongar boodjar in Boorloo, Western Australia. We pay our respects to our First Nations people across Australia.

We promise not to put you to sleep as we spice up a dry topic, contracts! Contracts are those multipage nightmares we event managers have to trawl through to ensure we’re a) getting the best value for money, b) getting what we actually asked for and c) not getting a bunch of stuff we didn’t need or want at all!

Behind the Clipboard is recorded on First Nations land, Whadjuk Noongar boodjar in Boorloo, (Perth) Western Australia. We pay our respects to our First Nations people across Australia. 

Today’s masterclass is on a handy little skill called Show Calling! It’s a role used in large scale events where there’s a plethora of multimedia and talent happening in the room. I’m talking live cameras, several screens with varied content, music, speeches, MCs and performers such as dancers, stilt walkers and singers. Show Calling is essentially being in the control room. You’re the conductor. You’re mic’d up to a headset and calling the shots of what’s going to happen and when. Let's find out if this role is for you

This podcast is recorded on First Nations land, Whadjuk Noongar boodjar in Boorloo, Western Australia and we pay our respects to our First Nations people.

When you run a large scale event which focuses its formalities and entertainment on stage, you need a tightly run ship to ensure it all goes to plan. From timing, audio visual, and coordinating talent, to wrangling MCs, sound checks and stage plots; your approach to Stage Management plays a pivotal role in getting it right.  So today we’re going to give you the ins and outs on how to stage manage like a BOSS!

This podcast is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar boodjar with respect to our First Nations people.

Once the event's over and your feet have recovered from 38,000 steps in one day, you have one final job to do...the post event report! This is a gem of a task which will help your future-self infinitely; especially if you're repeating the event. Post-event reporting has a few facets to it. Tune in we'll have you recording your successes and improvements like a pro!

This podcast is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar boodjar with respect to our First Nations people.

Known Associates Events, where Mel and Tam spend every day dreaming up cool stuff for their clients, is the event company powering Behind the Clipboard Podcast. This year Known Associates turned 15 – that’s right, they’re moody, erratic teens who like to party and break all the rules. Mel’s putting Founder and Director, Tamara Cook, in the hot seat, touching on all the behind the scenes goss that got the company to where it is today. It's been a journey!

Visit us at www.knownassociates.com.au We'd love to hear from you! Tam and Mel xx

This podcast is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar boodjar with respect to our First Nations people.

Did you know that key team briefings can make or break your event? Often in the chaos before doors open it seems like you don't have time for a briefing - INCORRECT. Making sure everyone on the event site is across the purpose, movements and core details of the event is essential. Yes, you may have sent out run sheets and emails etc. but the briefing is when you know the messages sent, are the messages received. Word.

Let's check out the who, the what and the where of those lil' pow wows that will make all the difference to the success of your event. 

We all know the best events build a brand we can all get around. A brand that sticks in our minds and doesn't leave until we jump on that ticketing website and get it get it! (Did someone say Fyre Festival?)

Tam and Mel take you through the do's and don'ts of creating an event brand, from choosing the name and colour scheme, to the applications and places to market your collateral. Giddyup!

Seasoned Event Directors Mel and Tam talk about everything from sleep routines to post event meltdowns, errr I mean reporting, in this deep dive into our event day rituals. We're joined by special guest host, Justine Peovitis from Known Associates, to ask us all the curly questions.

www.knownassociates.com.au

We finish the Ep off with a whiz through some of our favourite venues in sunny Perth, Western Australia!

We are bidding goodbye to 2021 by answering a few questions from you, our stellar Behind the Clipboard family!

We're also reflecting on our favourite eps of this season and giving you a sneak peek into Season 6, coming  in 2022.

Come visit us at www.knownassociates.com.au for all the blogs on event tips to get you through to the next season.

Happy New Year everybody! Tam and Mel xx

Through heart attacks both metaphorically and physically, Lala pivoted to create a whole new business during the Covid-19 downturn. Her inspirational, raw chat goes deep into the things she discovered were important to her, and how she took scary negative experiences and turned them into new goals and successes. This ep is a must for our event industry professionals who've had to roll with the punches to survive.

Find the fabulous world of Lala at @lalaforbusiness @laladesign

How much food is enough? What sort of food matches my event style? What do I feed the gluten free, nut free, vegetarians?? Find out all the insider tips for feeding your guests with industry expert, Tiana Rowe from Perth's very successful Ultimo Catering.

Event Artillery - Sofa so good ;)

From working full-time for others whilst building their business from the ground up, Event Artillery is smashing the Perth market when it comes to luxury event hire items. They bring that certain somethin' somethin' to events which immediately adds global sophistication and flair. In our chat we unearth what you need to know when fitting out your event space and we get the lowdown on trends and what's to come in 2022!

Find Event Artillery at @eventartillery eventartillery.com.au

Blake Williams is a master of music and a regular host on TV, radio and our stages, delivering the tunes, musical theatre and MC gigs. He's a great friend of the pod and we're thrilled to have him back to talk about the current music scene in events, and the rollercoaster journey he's been on throughout 2020 and 2021, culminating in Williams Creative Company and the incredible TV show, The Scene, on Foxtel.

Auctions and Raffles and Pledges, oh my!

Tim Gossage; a legend of our small screens in the sporting arena for over 30 years, and pivotal on radio and special events as an MC and auctioneer. We were honoured to have him in the studio for a frank chat about the best way to hold charity auctions, from being entertaining to raising those dollar dollar bills!

Come on a short and sharp journey with our latest intern, Terence, as he dives into the world of an internship with Known Associates Events in 2021.

Tez has some top tips for students on how to get the most out of your internship, applying for the internship that's right for you and how to get your foot in the door.

We loved having Terence work with us and this chat is a treasure trove of gold for those of you considering an event management internship.

Following the mantra of ensuring design gives an event its own unique identity this duo have combined their skills in interior design, floristry and project management to direct creative installations and experiences within WA’s events and visual merchandising industries.

This is an in-depth discussion about the inner workings of our industry; what it really takes, cowboy operators, and how we can band together and share knowledge to create a more consistent and superior craft world-wide.

Say cheese! The man behind the lens at Adept Photo Booths is pushing the boundaries and creating "photo experiences" at events. With more than 10 years of industry experience, Colin has certainly kept his plate full in the activation of event spaces across Perth from galas to corporate events and everything in between.
Want to know how you can capture an event's memorable moments with something besides your smartphone? Headphones on and jump into shot for this episode of Behind the Clipboard!

Shine the good cutlery and glasses, we're talking all things event managers should know when inviting foodie bloggers to your opening events. Georgia Wiley's TikTok handle, Perth Feast, is screaming towards 20 thousand followers in just three short months. She shares her tips on how to work with food bloggers to get the most out of your food based launch and showcase events. She also gives us her top tips for using TikTok for business. Yes. You. Can!

https://www.knownassociates.com.au/blog/2021/10/4/top-5-bottomless-brunch-spots-to-visit-this-weekend

We had Cassie Silver in the green room to chat about Silver Lining + Co, her videography company, and her top tips for planning an event video which will work for YOUR event. Gasp! Are we doing away with must-have shot lists? 

We also discuss choosing an MC that's right for your event and a bunch of other random topics. It gets personal like only Cass can!

Talent, advice and a whole lot of laughs!

Ezereve's angelic voice blends perfectly with the sublime vocals of Reilly Craig to form Champagne Duo. A musical repertoire boasting a list of the greats and a humorous edge to match, these two have taken WA by storm and they’re not slowing down anytime soon.

Let’s take a stroll down the aisle of their journey so far; learn how this duo came to be, get the tricks of the trade on promoting yourself as an artist and get the lowdown on why Champagne Duo should make an appearance at your next event.

It's always happy hour when Adam's mixing up a killer cocktail!

The creative Director of Cocktail Gastronomy, Crafted and Lucky Chans talks business success and all things shaken and stirred for creating out-of-this-world cocktails paired with cuisine; you’ll be surprised at just how simple then can be!

Wanna spice up your Friday night drinks with home delivered cocktails, or need an expert opinion on the hottest cocktail bars on the scene, then this ep’s got your name written all over it.

Pull up a barstool and let’s look behind the clipboard…

Emily drops in to tell us all about getting people hooked on the sweet stuff, and keeping them there. If you're thinking about starting up your own events industry side-hustle, this ep's for you!

Sweetcart is the most darling dose of old-fashioned charm for parties and events. Artisanal fairy floss served from the most ‘grammable cart comes in outrageous flavours such as Spicy Margarita and Apple Pie, with edible flowers or gold dusting to top things off!

Sealed section - for student ears only!

Tamara's in the Green Room interviewing two of her team who began as interns at Known Associates Events and are now experienced and respected professionals in the events industry in full time managerial roles.

Meg and Giorgia share their highs and lows and tips on getting that dream internship, which can (and should) lead to the dream professional position!

We're in the Green Room with one of Perth's premier performers, Cathrine Summers. Her voice is silk, her smile, French perfume and her presence, ever so seductive.

Cathrine shares her array of performance capabilities, insider tips for booking talent - especially for brides, and graces us with La Vie En Rose to finish. Heavenly.

You're in for a divine treat this episode, BTC squad. Enjoy!

The girls are back in the covid-safe studio to chat about why in-person, face to face, shoulder to shoulder events are so needed, now more than ever! We can't build relationships over zoom. We can't recall stories of hilarious encounters unless we've experienced it in the flesh. Business is built on relationships and relationships are built on shared experiences, kinship and trust - you know, the kind of trust you get from looking someone directly in the eye and having real human contact. We discuss all this more.

The gang are together for a little chat about events we've attended that really didn't hit the mark for various reasons. If only there had been a little forethought, disaster could have been averted...

We jumped into the green room to talk about Perth's hottest new venue which will uniquely reside on the Swan River - as in, in the middle of it!

The Raft launches spring 2020 and promises to be novel, flexible, and exciting for all of us eventies dying for something amazing!

Join our chat with brother and sister duo, Katie and Dan Chrystal, and listen out for Tam, who's in the background, wishing she was on a mic but had to sit this one out due to a croaky throat.

Find out more about The Raft here: The Raft Perth

We were lucky enough to sit down with the lovely Brooke Blurton. You may know her from the Honey Badger's season of the Bachelor but this little lady has so much more to her story. We chatted all things influence, events, brands and identity; and coming to terms with being recognised everywhere you go and harnessing that for the benefit and inspiration of others. Enjoy!

Mel, Tam and Krystle are back in the studio! We're chatting all about our iso experiences, the highs the lows of shutting down our events and businesses, tips on how to get through it and what's to come for the post-COVID-19 Events Industry.

This Episode is proudly brought to you by Grazing the Roof, Perth's delicious grazing boards.https://grazingtheroof.com

Coffee Break With...Dean from Design and Apply! 

Decal (fun fact: it’s short for decalcomania) has become a staple in event spaces the world over. It has the ability to transform, educate, direct, advertise and so much more!

In this chat, where we stole Dean away from a pumping Christmas party and thrust him briefly and unscripted into the studio, he shares a few insights on applications including some local Perth businesses he’s worked with. 

From a small positive message on a bathroom mirror, to a giant message of hope or support on a sky scraper, decal's impact is always memorable.

We wish we had longer to chat on this little gem of the events industry.

Enjoy!

We interrupted our work Christmas party in 2019 to whisk away some fav event operators for a quick chat. A nice little coffee break-sized poddy to keep you entertained and connected to the events world whilst we're all in COVID-19 iso.

Today's Ep is with the lovely Jenna and Freyja from the The Event Mill - Enjoy!

With media coverage and health warnings about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) sweeping the globe, small to medium business owners are questioning what it means for their upcoming events. At Known Associates Events, it’s business as usual as we choose to remain alert but not alarmed. We know that this could change at any time. If you're an event operator or a business about to hold an event, here are some tips for you to go forward as planned.

*Please note WHO advice was current at the time of recording

Thank you to all our loyal listeners for 2019! You've been amazing. We've loved dropping into your ears weekly to share all our years of tips and tricks learned in the professional events world. We'll be back with lots more in 2020 but for now, here we are discussing our favourite bits, looking back on 2019. 

Share your faves of 2019 with us on Instagram @behindtheclipboardpodcast

Tam's faves: Interviews with Lala Designs; Brooke Vulinovich - S2

Krystle's fave: Roger Blow of Cove Legal S2, Ep 10

Mel's fave: Food S1, Event Fails

Want the lowdown on how to behave at your corporate Christmas party? Well please go elsewhere - our Christmas wrap up is definitely not that. Merry Christmas! Ho Ho Ho! BTC xo

Arnya Tait has been in events for decades including the helm of Frasers Restaurant Group Events and Catering sector, managing iconic Western Australian locations for over 15 years. She’s seen it all, from Heads of State to royalty, corporate and charity events galore including the foundations of Greg Hire’s A Stitch in Time (AU) & the Wirrpanda Foundation dinner, and hundreds of whirlwind private and high-profile weddings. It’s her enormous generosity which has touched and won many hearts in Perth through her advocacy and altruistic proactivity, and she’s got loads more in store!

Follow her latest adventures with MSWA at Emagine Events - Facebook and Instagram