Desert Island Events

This week on the Main Stage Narmeen is joined by Anika Ved, freelance event manager for tech and commercial. During the pandemic, Anika courageously decided to embark on a fully freelance career and oh did it pay off! She's been able to gain valuable experience in both in-person and virtual and is ready for anything! For today's podcast, Anika invites us to a global festival focused on hard-working professionals who need a break from their screens and a boost in creativity. Anika believes that the older we get, we forget how to be kids. We need a reminder of how to not worry or stress, and the more relaxed we are, the more inspired and creative we can be.

This week on the Main Stage Narmeen is joined by Jack Saward, lifelong event professional and director of Saward Marketing & Events. Jack was born into the events industry as a second generation event professional, and has worked on a diverse range of projects both locally and internationally for the public and private sector. For today's podcast, Jack has decided to run an incomparable charity event that includes a conglomerate of islands like no other. The United Kingdom! After all, we host some of the top event professionals, who would be more than able to organise an event of such magnitude. The purpose of this charity event is to fundraise for individuals leaving the armed forces who are often overlooked and deserve to be celebrated. The objective is to educate the British public about the various skills and talents that these individuals possess. A combination of sport, discipline, team work, and national pride! Funds will be raised through telephone donations (for those watching on their TVs), company sponsorships, and in person donations. Please follow Jack on LinkedIn and the Saward Marketing & Events site.

This week on the Main Stage Narmeen is joined by Georgina Kay-Black, events management student at Greenwich University, who's currently doing her placement at MASH Media. As someone who's been exposed to the art of tattoos from a very young age, Georgina has always seen them as a form of beauty, away from all the stigma's society gives them. She has 27 tattoos herself and planning to get more. She's here today to tell us about her dream event, a travelling tattoo trade show! Follow Georgina on LinkedIn

This week on the Main Stage Narmeen is joined by Sarah Zarywacz, event executive at ECI Partners. Having experience in running all sort of B2B events for portfolio, adviser communities and investors in the private equity sector, she's here to tell us about her dream event. For this event, we're leaving the tedious London lifestyle to pamper ourselves a bit. That's right, Sarah has designed an all-inclusive summer retreat for us, so we don't forget the importance of self-care and some time off. Follow Sarah on Linkedin or Linktree and don't forget to watch next weeks episode of Desert Island

Ready to be swept of your feet? Which Italian lake are we heading to? All that and so much more in this wonderful episode with Nathan Angs from Wildfore Agency.

Welcome back to season three of Desert Island Events and we have a bumper episode to kick off this season! We are joined by Lucy Werner, PR expert and best selling author of Hype Yourself who shares her dream event. Lucy talks to Narmeen about her dream festival combining the amazing local food in Hackney, fitness and a deep dive into hypno driving, race tracks and failing driving tests. Sponsored by Event Site Design

For the final episode of the first season of The Newcomers Stage, we speak to Laura Horwell, recent graduate from the University of Chester. Laura takes us to Barcelona for her take on a Women's Equality Summit for women in the events industry. Prepare for a three day empowering summit in the sun!

Joining Narmeen on the island today is Brenda McMullan, Events Management Student at Liverpool John Moores University. This week Brenda takes us through a Coachella-esque festival set in the Australian Outback.

In the final episode of season two we hear from Jenna O'Grady, international events professional, for a super fuelled episode. The event? 50th Birthday Party. The venue? Space. That's right, we are finally leaving the planet and going out of this world for an event! What a way to wrap up season two!

This week we're bringing you another Scottish event as we're staying in Scotland but heading to the beach this time! Student Daniel Manners shares with us his sustainable ocean friendly beach rave!

In the penultimate episode of this season we talk to Rekya Vodka Brand Ambassador and founder of Reyka Runners, Fabs Latham. Set in Brixton, Fabs creates the perfect party for bartenders - expect music, luges and puffin waiters!

Going back to those Bridgerton and Scottish vibes, Mackenzie Kerr takes us through her dream event. Expect amazing music, dancing and a twist with the food!

Taking us on an Around the World Cocktail Masterclass this week as her dream event is Rhian Berry. Rhian is the Marketing Manager at EventMind and more importantly, host Narmeen's best friend in the industry!

Joining Narmeen on the island today, Claire Pattison, final year events student at Canterbury Christ Church University who shares with us the 'Sleepover of Dreams'. Expect haute-couture mixed with festival food at an intimate music festival.

We're back in Canada this week with Dionne Bishop, another incredible event professional. Dionne takes us to an empowering high stakes luncheon set in a beautiful garden.

This week on the island Rose Griffiths gives us a taste of Switzerland! encompassing networking, career development as well as some exciting activities, it is the perfect getaway for all event professionals and students.

This week we are back in Canada with the wonderful KEisha Pinto talking us through her dream event... The Zen Experience.

Accessibility is such an important topic within the events space. Jemma Barton, student and graduate of the Event Academy sits down with Narmeen to talk about her dream event; the Para-Ability Festival.

VP of Vancouver Convention Centre, Claire Smith, joins Narmeen this week for her dream event. Focussing on the greater good and what we can build upon together, Claire starts the series off at her own home of Vancouver.

This week Clemy Crowther joins host Narmeen to talk us through her dream event. Whisking us away to Mexico, this is an exciting reunion and retreat for all of Clemy's volunteer colleagues over the years.

Are you ready for the absolute glitter bomb of an episode? Abbie Hart, founder of the Female Hospitality Network joins us this episode to share with us her dream. Expect glitter, empowerment and becoming our best self.

This week our very own marketing intern and event graduate, Kirsten Newlands sits down with Narmeen on the show. What can you expect from this episode? Well a whole lot of glammer from a New York Rooftop!

Narmeen's new friend from Clubhouse, Jonny Fulton, director at Fox Wylie agency joins us this week. Where would you host your 10th wedding anniversary? Find out more about what Jonny would love to see at his dream event.

Carrying on with the popular historical theme, this week Narmeen talks to recent graduate Erika Riekki about her dream event. You can expect The Great Gatsby, Drag and... Harry Styles?

This week we are delighted to have Nicole Roames, Senior Meeting Planner and First Vice President of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals, National Capital Chapter, joining us. Nicola is mixing things up with not only putting her twist on an existing event, but bring some sport here to the island!

This seasons hottest show, Bridgerton is now here in event form. Event student, Harry Hamilton, is here to bring your Bridgerton dreams to life with his own dream event, a Murder Mystery Masquerade.

We have all heard about Fyre Festival; the industry's biggest tradgedy. But what if it was done right, it could be our biggest accomplishment? This episode we are joined by Keneisha Williams, an international event professional and co-founder of the global network, Black In Events. Keneisha talks us through how she would do Fyre Festival correctly.

Welcome to the debut episode of the new sister series of Desert Island Events, The Newcomers Stage where we give students and graduates a platform in the industry to share their event ideas. Kicking things off this season we have the inspirational Naomi Hollas, founder of Event Grads joining us to share a little bit of Scottish Culture and a little bit of a festival with us.

Kicking off 2021 as well as season two with a bumper episode, we have the wonderful Sabrina Meyers from Hot Hospitality Exchange joining us. Social Media strategist, online content creator and visibility queen (as well as an event professional!) Sabrina takes us through a social media festival. Think Fyre Festival x SXSW with education as well as entertainment with multiple venues. It's like fashion week but for social media.

Event Careers Club and Get Ahead in Events group founder Samantha Salisbury has over 20 years of industry experience. In this weeks episode sh talks with host Narmeen about what her ideal event would be; a summer ball.

Event Industry News Editor, Adam Parry, joins us this week for a one of a kind dream festival in Ko Pha Ngan, with a few surprise elements!

What would be your dream event if you had the job that allows you to work on your dream event everyday? This week Narmeen speaks with Emily Hume from about what would be her dream event.

Director of Oddity Events & Marketing and massive David Bowie fan, Lizzy Eaton talks with Narmeen about her dream for Oddity's 2nd Birthday... and 10th Birthday parties!

Event Industry influencer Nicola Roodt creates a time travelling individual experience on reflection and development.

General Manager at Event Marketing Association and Co-Founder of Event First Steps, Priya Narain, describes her dream event. A children's charity fundraiser is the event with some very special guests! 

Kate Bullard, co-founder of Event Profs Live and corporate events professional, steps away from her corporate background and talks us through her ideal Italian Fashion Show.

Event Industry changemaker, Gabby Austen-Browne co-founder of Diversity Ally, shares her vision of a wellness retreat in Morocco.

Specialist Fitability® recruiter for the Live Event and Experiential sectors, Robert Kenward, in his own words takes "one of the noblest of sports and turns it into a sideshow carnival".

Boutique event director, Lavinia Stewart Brown of Stewart Brown Events, talks us through her dream event to plan in the south of France.

Your guide to adulthood, Gaby Mendes, talks about her vision for Talk Twenties Live - the ultimate event to help you through your twenties.

Exhibition queen Miriam Sigler, Director of Ways and Means Events, chats with Narmeen about the ultimate Dessert-Drag-Design Show.

Industry blogger and event professional, Chloe Heathcote, talks with host Narmeen Kamran about her dream event...a Christmas Winter Wonderland.