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What happens when a high school band program says yes to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—with just weeks to prepare? You get a story of passion, partnership, and pushing past expectations. In this week's Boosted Volunteer Podcast, hosts Robin and Evan Eissler welcome James Rees, Director of Bands at Grapevine High School, and Diane Pintar, Vice President of the Grapevine Band Boosters. Together, they share the incredible behind-the-scenes story of how preparation, community, and a little serendipity landed their high school band the chance to perform for none other than Post Malone, a Grapevine alum, at AT&T Stadium. Together, they share how vision, collaboration, and sheer determination helped turn a last-minute request into an unforgettable, student-centered success story. They talk about the power of aiming high, manifesting more, and knowing when to say yes—and when not yet is the wiser move. Key Highlights: (03:57) The phone call that changed everything (07:24) A whirlwind two-week timeline to showtime (11:18) The logistics, community support, and behind-the-scenes hustle (19:47) Why “do it” is the best advice for programs facing big opportunities (20:59) When your vision outgrows expectations—and why that's a good thing (22:06) Balancing epic experiences with everyday responsibilities (23:11) The art of leading from a place of “yes”—while managing real-world limits (24:02) Final reflections and a challenge to dream even bigger Whether you're an educator, parent, or volunteer leader, this episode will leave you motivated to dream bigger and act boldly for your students.
How do we navigate life's unexpected twists? For nationally recognized artist and educator James Rees, the answer lies in embracing discomfort and using creativity as a tool for growth. In this episode, Rees shares how his art explores themes of burdens, resilience, and support—and how one deeply moving moment at an art show changed his perspective on the power of connection and healing. When a woman purchased one of his pieces to honor her sister who died by suicide, Rees saw firsthand how art can give meaning to grief and transform pain into purpose. After 30 years of teaching and serving as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts, he reflects on the lessons he's learned about courage, creativity, and the beauty of embracing uncertainty. Related Links James Rees' website - https://www.jamesreesart.com James Rees' Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jamesreesart Follow us on social media! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast
We're celebrating Arts Education week with James Rees, an accomplished visual artist and arts educator who has spent decades advocating for the importance of arts education. Rees talks about his early inspirations, his time at Brigham Young University, and his unexpected path to teaching. He emphasizes the need for student-centered learning in the arts and the importance of allowing students to find their own creative voices through critical thinking and exploration. Rees also shares how his own studio practice informs his teaching and how failure is an essential part of the creative process. And we touch upon his upcoming show at Wisconsin's Trout Museum of Art.Rees also discusses the significance of mentorship, providing young artists with opportunities to engage with professionals and showcase their work in public spaces. Rees reflects on his leadership roles, including his advocacy work for the arts at the local, state, and national levels, his times as panelist for the NEA, and how these efforts have impacted both arts education and the wider arts community. This conversation offers an exploration of the impact of art education on students' lives and the transformative power of making and sharing art.
We're celebrating Arts Education week with James Rees, an accomplished visual artist and arts educator who has spent decades advocating for the importance of arts education. Rees talks about his early inspirations, his time at Brigham Young University, and his unexpected path to teaching. He emphasizes the need for student-centered learning in the arts and the importance of allowing students to find their own creative voices through critical thinking and exploration. Rees also shares how his own studio practice informs his teaching and how failure is an essential part of the creative process. And we touch upon his upcoming show at Wisconsin's Trout Museum of Art.Rees also discusses the significance of mentorship, providing young artists with opportunities to engage with professionals and showcase their work in public spaces. Rees reflects on his leadership roles, including his advocacy work for the arts at the local, state, and national levels, his times as panelist for the NEA, and how these efforts have impacted both arts education and the wider arts community. This conversation offers an exploration of the impact of art education on students' lives and the transformative power of making and sharing art.
In this episode The Creativity Department speaks with art educators and artists James Rees, Frank Juárez, and Rama Hughes! As a follow up to their extremely popular NAEA conference presentation, Frank, James, and Rama join Matt and Laura to discuss ways of maintaining creative practice and the benefits it holds for art educators. Explore how nurturing studio practice strengthens teaching practice, helps educators relate to students' experience, and helps re-ignite the creative spark that energizes us all. Listen in to hear more from James, Frank, and Rama!
On today's episode I talk about Mrs. Claus, share some of my favorite portrayals, and I read the first Christmas story that she's mentioned in: "A Christmas Legend" by James Rees. Also, you can totally hear my pet parakeet Pickwick in the background of my recording. It's not too distracting I hope! He was in the holiday spirit and wanted to join me on the podcast. Happy Septmeber everyone! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and some news, upcoming things, bookclub, etc 03:40 Book Recommendation 06:00 Who is Mrs. Claus? 11:53 Story: A Christmas Legend, by James Rees 30:22 Thoughts on the story Books and Websites mentioned: www.thevillagecollector.com The Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series by Jacqueline Frost The Cozy Christmas Book Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1035399187415872 Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c Contact Me: facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/ twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ email: cozychristmaspodcast@gmail.com #christmas #christmaspodcast #podcast
In this episode, James Rees and Emily Fox King join the Creativity Department to discuss taking care of your creative practice as an art educator. James and Emily are professional artists. James is also a researcher and retired art educator. Both bring their unique perspectives to this conversation where they share their experiences dealing with creative risk, the challenges of being a professional artist, overcoming creative blocks, and balancing work and life. Listen in to hear strategies you can use in and out of the art room to renew your own creative practice.
The next dictionary to be published should have an entry for 'Welsh rugby' where the definition should be 'the inability to go more than a few days without ballsing something up' - last week was very 'Welsh rugby'. We discuss the timing of the announcement Dai Young's suspension and the players response, the Welsh womens game against France and the improvements that have been made, Judgement day as an event, Dragons v Scarlets, Ospreys v Cardiff and finally we preview Scarlets v Glasgow - a very busy week! We were joined this week by regular listener James Rees, who - as an Ospreys supporter - was delighted to be invited on this week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Major travel and meetings industry sustainability efforts such as the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative are a top priority in Europe, where the meetings industry is organizing to adopt stricter sustainability standards before governing bodies step in to enforce regulations. The sense of urgency seems to be a great deal less in North America, however. Why is this, and how can travel and meetings industry professionals join the fight against climate change via self-regulation? Meetings Today interviewed James Rees, executive director, conference and events, ExCel London and former president of the International Congress and Convention Association, about the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative and other major sustainability efforts underway in Europe and North America. Having a wealth of experience on the major venue side, as well as leading a major industry association and holding top sales positions for Hilton Hotels, Rees can address the subject of sustainability from a variety of vantage points.
In this episode, returning guest James Rees and Jane Dalton, both artists and educators, join the Creativity Department to discuss how you can infuse mindfulness into your creative practices and your art room! Learn how exercises that only take two minutes can help you and students regenerate and refocus on tasks at hand. Listen all the way to the end to participate in sample exercise and discover how quick refocusing can take.
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James Rees is Chief Impact Officer at Botanical Water Technologies and Board Advisor at Bluerloop, Droople , and Noverram. Botanical Water Technologies strives to positively impact water scarcity by providing a new source of drinkable, sustainable, plant-based Water for social and environmental projects. Let me bring you a bit behind the scenes to start with today. I've been recently invited to give my first-ever TED Talk, which will happen end of November in Shaftesbury, UK. So now I'm binge-watching the most successful ones to extract best practices. And the link to today's topic is twofold. First, one of the most watched TED Talks ever, and maybe my favorite one, is Simon Sinek's one advising all of us to start with Why. Let's follow that advice! Why should we adopt new technologies in Water? Well, because we're facing new challenges. Why does the roll-out of these technologies take a while? Well, because Water is a highly political and sensible field with low rewards and harsh punishments. And why does it matter so much that new technologies get to roll out faster, succeed and bloom? Well, because that's how they will maximize their impact. Now, remember, I said the link was two-fold; here's the second one. Binge-watching TEDs to identify patterns takes a while, but it's doable. But is there a similar directory of instructions as to how to succeed as an early or mid-market water technology company? Of course not. There are incredible pieces of ecosystems: think of the accelerator programs, like Imagine H2O or Elemental, which we addressed on that microphone. Think of the incubation or pilot programs like the Xylem Innovation Labs or Isle Utilities' Trial Reservoir, which we addressed on that microphone. There are market data and analyst companies like BlueTech Research or Global Water Intelligence, which we addressed on that microphone. And, of course, there are associations, conferences, and brilliant podcasts outside of this one, and there is that very microphone. But who's connecting the dots? People, humans. You'll hear with James in a minute how we're just scratching the surface of the importance of connecting those dots and how one can actually do that. And if we start with why, the reason why we shall connect the dots is that it takes a village to solve today's water challenges. Many players still speak many different languages, and someone needs to translate. So I'll leave the floor to James after reminding you that if you like what you hear, please share it around. Tell your friends, colleagues, or LinkedIn network what you found interesting or inspirational, and if you don't like what you hear, please reach out to me and tell me what I should be doing differently or better. Come on, do it, and I'll meet you on the other side. How to take Mid-Market Green Tech Companies to the Next Level?
Artists, educators and researchers James Rees and Flavia Bastos share the powerful, nationwide digital storytelling project and research project, Who Is American Today. Hear student projects, learn about research findings, and discover how to participate with your students or host an exhibit. Resources: Connect to NexGen News and ask about their free pilot opportunity the Who is American Today website Gallery and Student Projects Education Package and curriculum resources Tutorial Videos to help you participate James Rees' website - full of very cool art Flavia Bastos' website EdCuration's Certified EdTrustees Micro Professional Learning ExPLorations EdCuration's Blog: Learning in Action EdCuration's upcoming Online Events
We're excited to launch this one & hope you enjoy it… Rener & Ryron talk surfing in Nosara, growing up watching their father, grandfather, and uncles literally introduce a superior fighting style to the planet & prove it by creating the UFC and going on to dominate mixed martial arts (MMA), fighting grown adults themselves as teenagers then creating learning styles for kids, women, military & police forces, elderly, creating an online learning platform which ultimately became the premier online system, how the Gracie Breakdowns of UFC fights catapulted popularity, what UFC fights are like behind the scenes and in the crowds, what it is like to go anywhere anytime with complete confidence in personal safety, how surfing is a different & challenging opportunity compared to BJJ, Ryron's mid life crisis and much, much more… Show notes: First 5 Nosara 5-10 family 10 – Online platform 11 women empowered, Gracie bulletproof, survival tactics, Gracie combative 12 watch mma or UFC you realize BJJ is now ‘the one you can't live without' or what if you don't want to do cage fighting? What about kids, women, law enforcement, pricing empowerment… 13 at some point in life someone will confront you. BJJ is insurance, surfing analogy from Ryron & kids to elderly can benefit. 14 my kids watch YouTube then I get into it 15 family created mma and they watched it all happen, the YouTube time, and creating this platform too off with Gracie breakdowns, 15 Gracie breakdown GSP first one, fedor vs fabricio verdum 2nd.. 16 Gracie's are mma translators to average couch fan. They are most recognized from Gracie breakdowns even surfing in nosara 17/18 kids women and men should be trained differently. Assault, police, bullying all different 18 one bad class can stop everything 19 we had great teachers 20 BJJ is the martial art other martial artists retire into 21 Gracie brothers want to work together to prepare for possible outside threats… don't fight under same roof. Enemy can't be under same roof 22 don't dominate your training partner that's short term 23 team 24 rich asks why many trained fighters are so peaceful and less aggressive 25 dad never spanked he always said ‘champ' and called them champions 26 let kids feel champs to 13 or so then lose a bit and by 18 take off 100% losing fear 27 physical attributes help qualify a man. Lose the need to show your tough ans life gets better. Learn how to fight… So you don't have to! 28 someone being disrespectful can be diffused with calm comfort 29 those most likely to puff up are the least trained people normally 30 almost all men do not know how to handle a headlock. Not us… Everyday man must be stressed. A human which can't breathe. 31 doesn't take long time to tread water and protect yourself with BJJ. 32 every class you wonder how you lived without knowing these easy techniques for personal safety? 33 COVID and telecommunications Gracie university.com vs other online options. #1 to next number very important up to black belt. Losing brick and mortar adjusted online curriculum through the roof. 37 it took 10 years of work for GU. Never imagined pandemic would the world to them 38 other schools felt threatened; traditionalists said you can't learn online. 39 now those people have online training. 40 why Nosara is big part of future. Tropical, surfing, fruits and food, people are relaxed, parking wherever, everything slower but works… 41 California so demanding and intense but Nosara can't be replicated. Need a getaway for full release of fun and some on the side BJJ. Rener's New Years resolution 42 Ryron's plan, his first left & surfing stripe 43 Ryron's drone video Rickson, whole Gracie family Ryron saved surfing for mid life crisis 44 Rener says BJJ predictable at highest level, surfing is a different opponent. Renee's surf wave go pro. Oppone 45 Nosara is Gracie University of surfing 46 restaurants. Rener's favorite food ever Il basílico and kids making their own pizzas. 47 kids & bugs; Rich explains people in area wondering about the martial arts guys and want to know about fighting 49 UFC events backstage & in crowd; difference between drunk fans and the coaches and fighters 50 Rener & Ryron even coach against each other in UFC but was smooth. Learn how to fight so you never have to… 51 once you meet black belts you will find they are chilled out normally. In BJJ can beat someone without inflicting bodily harm while calming them down. 52 we don't fight because so good at de escalation. Subduing people without hurting them different than Krav Maga for example. A street fight isn't a fight if you're good at BJJ 54 definition of peace… Surfing in the morning Thanks to Kaiya Burnam for editing, Etienne for production, Ale for surf video footage, and Gracie family for images and UFC, Joe Rogan, Brian Ortega, James Rees, plus everyone else we need to thank for helping make this episode a special one!
In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by returning guest James Rees! This year, James retired from the art room. During the conversation, he shares stories from the field including how his career has changed over the 30 years he taught. Listen in to hear how he developed a plan for staying connected and continued growth in retirement. Get some inspiration to use when planning your own next steps.
Tyler Davidson talks to James Rees, president of Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), about one of the events industry's most pressing issues: sustainability. At PCMA Convening Leaders 2022, Rees details the Net-Zero Carbon Events Pledge initiative, key challenges surrounding business travel and carbon footprints, and the way forward for greener in-person meetings.
In this episode, Matt and Laura talk with returning guest James Rees! Advocacy outside of the classroom and real-world experiences for students are important. One of the best resources for both of these things could be down the street at your local art gallery or museum. Involving students in the production process of exhibiting their artwork is a meaningful way to make your program visible and build critical skills for students, even if they don't go on to work in the field of art. Listen in to hear how James facilitates student art shows at his local galleries and the benefits that come from doing so.
In this episode, we're speaking to James Rees, an Account Executive from SourceBreaker. We discussed why researching for an interview can go a long way to securing a role, harnessing the power of the Wolf of Wall Street, building the small wins that help you reach the next step within a sale, how to organise yourself to succeed and what makes a good discovery call.
During this episode, the Creativity Departments speaks with the research team behind the Who Is American Today project, Flavia Bastos and James Rees. Discover what Critical Digital Citizenship looks like, what role it plays in student’s lives, and how art education prepares students to examine their identity and become critical digital citizens.
This week is all about sales and I'm bringing a massive guest interview your way James has run 3 separate gyms, each time they have grown bigger and bigger PLUS he's also done sales calls for Fitpros all around the world So grab your notebook! This is a good one
Meet Tori Rees - wife of James Rees or Jimmy Giggle and mum to three gorgeous boys including twins. Tori joins Nix and Naomi to share her story to multiple pregnancy. Tori discusses the challenges she and James faced when struggling to fall pregnant for a second time and how they found out there was more than one! See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
Join Louie G. and his friend, professional voiceover artist, actor, and cinephile, James Rees, as we discuss the 2018 action film Jurassic World: Fallen KingdomSPOILERSJurassic World: Fallen KingdomBig Hero SixRawJurassic ParkThe Lost World: Jurassic ParkJurassic Park 3Jurassic Worldand more!https://robotsvsdinosaurs.org/episodes/episode-02-jurassicworldfallenkingdomJames and Lou are both featured in the monthly sketch show Our Bar: www.ourbarnyc.comCheck out Our Bar's next LIVE show, and join us every month for fresh original content!https://www.facebook.com/events/1386828394841829
It’s the 50th episode of the Advent Calendar House, so it’s time to tackle the Christmas special that put Rankin/Bass on the map and into our hearts, 1964’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”On This EpisodeMike Westfall (@fallwestmike), ostrich-riding cowboy struggling with an inferiority complex despite being able to outrun a horse.Brandon Medley (@brandmed) from Blessed Are the Geek.Joey O. (@ImGonnaDJ24) from Y-Not Radio and Words With Nerds.Topics and TangentsIs Santa really this big of a jerk or just hangry?The History Channel on the creation of Rudolph.Mashable’s 12 ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ facts.Burger King and Hallmark’s Rodney Reindeer plushes, which at one point doubled as stockings.Rudolph almost had huge, glowing eyes instead of a red nose, and all I can think of is the terrifying original version of Mr. Snuffleupagus.The rare and expensive Santa’s Castle play set, which includes Santa and Mr. Claus’s maybe queen-size bed.A lot of voices in this cast were later part of the 1960s “Spider-Man” and “The Marvel Super Heroes” animated series.The first mention of Santa having a wife was in a short story by Philadelphia missionary James Rees in 1849.The mystery of the head elf’s suddenly changing voice: Wikipedia claims it’s intentional, but we’re not buying it.Carl Banas, the voice of the head elf, was also the original voice of Sweetums in “Tales from Muppetland: The Frog Prince.”“Fame and Fortune,” a song that replaced “We’re a Couple of Misfits” as Rudolph and Hermey’s duet from 1965 to 1997.You can meet characters from this version of “Rudolph” at SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place.Arthur Rankin Jr. explains why Dolly’s on the Island of Misfit Toys on NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me.”Santa’s still “skinny” on Christmas Eve, but fattens up by that night. What did he eat?The original ending included Yukon Corneilius finding a peppermint mine, later replaced by popular demand with the scene of Santa stopping to pick up the misfit toys.“The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass: A Portfolio” on Amazon or MiserBros.com.Original figures of Rudolph and Santa were found in an attic and appraised on “Antiques Roadshow” in 2005. They were later sold and restored.Previous Episodes of This Podcast MentionedSeason 1, Episode 1: Frosty the SnowmanSeason 1, Bonus: The First Easter RabbitSeason 2, Episode 14: Batman, the Animated Series: Christmas with the Joker“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” ©1964 Rankin/Bass Productions.Closing music: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by the California Raisins, from Will Vinton’s Claymation Christmas Celebration.The Advent Calendar House is on the web at adventcalendar.house, on Twitter @adventcalhouse, and part of the Christmas Podcast Network.
I had the pleasure of welcoming James Rees, an Executive Coach onto the podcast today. James is an inspiration to me as someone like James in your network is of such high value, both a great advocate & supporter of new ways of thinking & working, but equally as a good challenger of the same. We discuss a range of topics during this podcast including his awesome metaphor for the world of work, vulnerability, awareness, inclusion, coaching practice & loads more. James can be contacted via the following means: james@cooper-rees.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rees-60428352/ https://twitter.com/jamesrees_coach Additional resources: Julie Starr's book that I referenced is "The Coaching Manual" in one of many that can be found ere -> All of Julie's books can be found at www.amazon.co.uk/Julie-Starr/e/B001JRRG2S Barefoot Coaches who James holds in high regard can be found here - http://www.barefootcoaching.co.uk/ Dan Cable's book that James referenced is "Alive at Work" - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Work-Neuroscience-Helping-People/dp/1633694259 Please find here -> https://thelisteningorganisation.co.uk/ -> my human-centred cultural model in case this is of any interest --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/valuevulnerability/message
On episode 72 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan presents an exclusive audio documentary based on a relatively unknown UFO event that occurred in New Zealand in 1959. Eileen Moreland went out to milk the cows one morning in the South Island town of Blenheim. She returned home about eighty minutes later with an extraordinary story. "You may think I am mad,” she told police, “but I saw a flying saucer." After reporting the incident to the police, the local Air Force Base got involved and began to privately investigate the report. What they uncovered, and the events that followed, would both haunt the Air Force investigators and the Moreland family for many years to come. This is the incredible story; "Finding Mrs. Moreland: How One Woman's UFO Claim Exposed Paranoia and Fear in 1950s New Zealand." Set to the backdrop of the Cold War, this little known UFO event was covered in great detail by a New Zealand journalist named Charlie Gates. In association with Gates and the news site, Stuff Limited, this audio documentary consists of Gates' massive article in its entirety. To read an interactive version of the article, CLICK HERE. Special thanks to the voiceover talents of Jim Rees, Megan Mazzoccone, and Steve Mazzoccone. Visit Stuff at: www.stuff.co.nz Guest Bios: Megan McGarvey is a NYC based actor and singer. She recently received her MFA in Performing Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design. Most recently she was seen in an episode of BULL on CBS. Select theater credits include Cabaret(Sharon Playhouse), Hamlet and Measure for Measure(Frog and Peach, NYC), SHREW! (World Premiere Reading; SCAD), Grease(Park Playhouse). Also, Megan just made her stand up comedy debut in NYC. Follow her @megan__mcgarvey for upcoming shows and news. You can also visit her website: www.meganmcgarvey.com Steve Mazzoccone is an actor, director, and playwright. He recently received his MFA in Performing Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design. NYC acting credits include Ryan Sprague’s Some Just Do It Naturally at Theater Row, Measure for Measure, Twelfth Night and Cymbeline with Frog and Peach Theatre Co. In addition, he’s worked for regional equity theaters and on national tours. Recent NYC directing credits include Blanche in a Wheelchair and The Passion of Athena for the LIC One Act Festival at the Secret Theatre, Absolution at Gallery Players and At the Museum (Best Play Finalist, Best Director Finalist) for the Take Ten Play Festival at the Workshop Theatre. Currently, Steve is assistant directing Shaw’s Heartbreak House Off Broadway for Gingold Theatrical Group. Steve is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation’s 2018-2019 Observership Class. Visit: www.stevemazz.com James Rees is an actor and voice-over artist based in New York. Past credits include: Theatre- "The Cheater's Club" (Abrons Arts Center), "The Bad and the Better" (Playwright's Horizons), "The High Cost of Loving" (Columbia Theatre) Film/TV- The Wolf of Wall Street, The Knick, Experimenter Commercial- Bravo, Vitamin Water, Hendricks Gin (Voice Over). He is currently repped by Baker Management. Patreon: www.patreon.com/somewhereskies Website: www.somewhereintheskies.com Official Store: CLICK HERE Order Ryan's Book by CLICKING HERE Twitter: @SomewhereSkies Instagram: @SomewhereSkiesPod Opening Theme Song, "Ephemeral Reign" by Per Kiilstofte SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES is produced by Third Kind Productions, in association with eOne Entertainment SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES is sponsored by HelloFresh. To receive 50% of your first order, use promo code: SOMEWHERE50 at checkout by visiting www.HelloFresh.ca
On this week’s episode of the Event Industry News podcast, host James Dickson welcomes not one but two guests to the show. Zaynab Zubair was tasked with delivering a business conference for the Arriva transport organisation, and James Rees is the Executive Director for conferences and events at ExCeL London. The guests came on the podcast to discuss CentrEd, the dedicated conference facility within the ExCeL Exhibition Centre. Although the venue has always had conferencing facilities available, a major revamp saw them branded with a standalone identity to open new avenues of business. During the episode, Zaynab and James discuss the facilities, the support that is available to organisers, and some of the technical infrastructure that was installed to assist with modern day conference requirements.