Point of View: Emma Poxton

Emma Poxton
Events Consultant at Northumbrian Water Group
www.linkedin.com/in/emma-poxton

As part of our commitment to championing the industry, we are talking to people about their careers and what IEM means to them.

Emma has worked with Northumbrian Water Group since 2006, where she started in a support role for the wider Corporate Communications team learning more about the external communications, events, corporate responsibility and marketing roles. Her reporting line was within the Events team, and that’s where Emma’s passion for events began, as a majority of her time was spent supporting her team with the admin tasks for and the setup of internal and external events. In 2014, with the introduction of a new Internal Communications team, Emma was able to advance her career in a role that focused solely on how the organisation engaged with and made the company a great place to work for the employee audience. During this, she continued to deliver internal focused events like roadshows, conferences and awards ceremonies, as well as the more technical aspects of keeping employees up to date through producing and editing content for digital comms channels, alongside completing her foundation and advanced diploma with the Institute of Internal Communications. Towards the end of 2020, an opportunity arose for Emma to move back into a full-time events role, where she is now fully responsible for events for both internal and external audiences.

Q What does the IEM mean to you?
A Starting out in a new role at a time when the world of events has seen its biggest shake up due to the pandemic, it’s great to have a central place to seek advice and best practice and connect with other event professionals. It’s also great to have a professional body to set out a standard of skills and knowledge to make sure I’m always striving to be at the top of my game.

Q Why did you decide it was important for you to get involved?
A I really valued the support from the IoIC and the courses they offered to help me develop my skills while in my Internal Comms role and I wanted to have that same network of support and opportunity to build my skills in my new role.

Q Where do you hope to see the IEM in 20 years’ time?
A I hope the IEM will be an established body, with lots of members from a diverse range of organisations and skill levels that come together to share, learn and champion the event management profession.

Q What is your favourite event related memory?
A The first event I attended that made me think “Wow this is what I want to do for a career,” was at a retirement event for our then chairman at Beamish Museum in Co Durham. We had private access to the museum and were transported to drinks reception in the 1900’s town via a tram, before heading over to a beautifully illuminated marquee next to a vintage fairground. Fast forward 12 years and my favourite event that I delivered was our Greatest Showman themed employee awards, complete with ringmaster compere, big top projection mapping on the walls and a hot air ballooning elephant floating from the ceiling!