Point of View: Jhoanna Marie L. Abad

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Jhoanna Marie L. Abad
Event Project Manager
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhoanna-marie-abad

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

Jhanna Marie Abad’s passion for doing an event started when she was in college, when she joined the student council which opened her eyes to events. As the department college student council president; Jhoanna had an opportunity to conduct student engagement events such as Seminars, Training, University pageant, and school Marketing trade events with sponsors. She had no formal Event Management education but managed to land a job under different event agencies after university. Starting as production staff, event coordinator and then being promoted as brand account champion /project manager for a below-the-line promotion and events agencies. Jhoanna had several roles and projects over the past 8 years and is now an Event Project Manager. This includes overseeing all aspects of events from the initiation, conceptualization, pitch, planning, budgeting and organizing, up to implementation, and the evaluation. Jhoanna has planned and executed fashion shows, pageants, charity events, product launches and corporate events, brand activations, milestones and various events ranging from small to large-scale in the Philippines.

Q What does the IEM mean to you?
A I am deeply passionate about what I do – I continuously want to be better and do my best to succeed. With my experiences, I am in search of bringing my career to the next level. The IEM program offered is specifically in line with my professional goals. Also joining IEM will allow me to connect with a diverse Global Network of like-minded professionals and share event-related work standards, best practices and inspire one another.

Q Why did you decide it was important for you to get involved?
A It has long been my dream to have a formal education in Event Management, execute a world-class event and be recognised as an event professional. I believe that through IEM I will achieve my professional goal of gaining professional recognition whilst taking advantage of the opportunities for learning and development on an international scale.

Q Where do you hope to see the IEM in 20 years?
A I hope to see IEM be one of the distinguished event recognizing bodies globally. And, that IEM will continue to support and provide resources, quality learning and development programmes that are available, accessible and affordable for newcomers, aspirant and professionals in the event industry regardless of culture and background.  Offer networking opportunities, Mentorship programs, Scholarship for regular CPD related programs, IEM supported Initiative project from the members.

Q What is your favourite event related memory?
A I most enjoy planning and executing fashion events. It is often seen as very glamourous and cutting edge but in reality, putting up a fashion event involves a lot of hard work and pressure behind the scenes that is unrecognized.  I oversee all aspect of the event from working with the fashion designers and creative director on the concept looking at their inspiration board, styling – putting the collection together, and program flow, managing talents such as models and celebrities from casting making sure designers aesthetic and vision are being considered to actual bookings, negotiating rates. Then schedule fittings and final line up for the show and come up with the looks (Hair and Makeup) in collaboration with the designer and stylist(s). For the stage and technical requirements, I make sure I guide the design and layout of the show. After that, I work with the director on model timings, choreography, music, and lighting, and schedule rehearsals sort of run of the show that makes sense for our concept. Come show day, check models line up and HMU to make sure they have all had beauty done. Then it’s first looks, line up, and the show begins!

My most favourite events are: