Lisa specialises in environmentally and socially conscious event solutions. With a career spanning over 15 years within the events industry Lisa has managed events from 70 to 7000 for private, corporate, and charitable organisations both live, in person and virtual events. Lisa runs her own Event Management and Consultancy Green Sense Events to support businesses and event organisers plan their events more sustainably.
QUESTIONS….
So Lisa, how did you get into events?
Like most people I didn’t really start out in Events, my degree was in Professional media and I started out at the BBC at Bristol’s Natural History Unit. However the skills required for a production are similar to that of an event and so that’s what drew me to a role in Events and I moved into an Event Management and Catering company in Bristol which is where it all started….
What’s your favourite event that you’ve been involved in, and why?
That’s a hard one to call, as there have been such a variety, so I’m going to pick two. The first is the Christmas Events that we used to organise at the Bristol Grammar School, the main hall there was like something out of the Great Hall in Harry Potter, we had some fantastic entertainment with stilt walkers and magicians it was magical, and then the second one is the Race for Life Hike I organised along the Jurassic Coast. Completely different again, really complex logistically, as we were dealing with a coastal path, and setting up pit stops in tricky locations, but because I set it up and saw the people set off and saw them finish it was wonderful, it was a fundraising event and there were only 300 people but it was great to see their journey and see them cross the finish line after the 22 mile hike!.
What inspired you to move into your current position?
I have noticed over the last few years how wasteful the events industry can be, so when I set up Green Sense Events, I wanted to make a change to encourage people to make better environmentally and socially sustainable choices. I love events and my background is in events but I am passionate about sustainability and I believe we all have a responsibility to be better and make better decisions and so this is my motivation for doing what I do now.
Things you’ve learned from the Covid lockdown?
How supportive we all are as an industry. I set up my business pretty much during the lockdown last year, at a time when there weren’t really any events happening. But what a great time to network, to reach out and to build relationships. Its also been a great time from a sustainability perspective for people to reflect and to think about how we can do things differently. We’ve all had to pivot and to learn new things, and certainly virtual events have helped reduce our carbon emissions, and I hope that this is set to continue. Hybrid offers a great way to connect with an international audience but to meet our local contacts face to face and still have that human interaction and so I think this will be really interesting to see how this moves forward and changes the way we do things as an industry.
Name something you would like to change about the events industry?
I would love Sustainability to be embedded in the planning process rather than it being an afterthought or a ‘nice to have’. So that it just becomes part of the event. So that there isn’t a choice of solar power or diesel powered generators or single use plastic bottles versus refill points for their own bottles, but that it’s the only choice and it becomes the ‘norm’.
Best client you have ever worked with?
I loved working with High5 Events in January on a virtual conference they were organising. I ran a sustainability workshop for their clients CSR / team building day. They were really supportive and it was great to work through ideas together to build something that suited the client.
Biggest client you have ever worked with?
Probably the pharmaceutical company as mentioned above. Their team were from all over Europe and the Virtual workshop was for around 400 people.
Name the greatest event you have ever been to?
I would have to say Glastonbury Festival. Mainly for the atmosphere, the sheer number of people who attend, the music, and the fact that they are doing great things from a sustainability perspective and what they do for charities, and of course because its in Somerset which is where I live!
What are 5 things on your bucket list?
- Cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats – planned for next September!
- Take my children to Disney World.
- Trek the Inca Trail in Machu Picchu
- Volunteer on a project abroad
- Travel through India
“You’d do anything for love, but you wouldn’t do…?”
Go Zorbing – I don’t like small spaces or rides which spin you around so zorbing would be my worst nightmare!
If money wasn’t a factor, how would you spend the rest of your life?
Supporting as many projects as I could to help those less fortunate than ourselves and to protect the planet.
I’d volunteer where I could, – I’m not one to sit at home, I love to keep busy. I’d travel more and show my family the world and how amazing it is. I’d build my own eco house. I’d continue my business as I feel its important, and its something I’m passionate about.
Who is your hero?
I would probably have to say Chris Johnson. He’s certainly someone who I admire. I don’t know him too well, but I follow a lot of what he’s involved in. He lives and breathes sustainability, and he’s involved in so many different things, Vision 2025, Shambala festival, julie’s bicycle to name a few. He also said that he’d given up his car this year – which I know isn’t possible for everyone but given that he has a family that’s pretty impressive stuff.
What social issue is important to you?
Equality and Diversity, Sustainability is not just about our environmental impact its also about being socially responsible. Its about investing in your staff and your team, its about providing opportunities about not being biased and treating everyone as equal and with respect.
What cheers you up?
My children. My daughter is very funny and my son gives great hugs, always a good pick me up if you’ve had a stressful day!
What is the last item you purchased?
A sofa for the garden/ patio – very boring I know ! like a lot of people we are doing some work in our garden and are hoping to host a birthday party in July so we are working to a tight deadline
What is your biggest fear?
I don’t like small spaces which includes being in pitch black darkness and I absolutely hate cockroaches
If you could be any character from a film, who would you be?
Gosh that’s a tough one, probably a super hero, like Wonder Woman. She is the ultimate super woman and she’s also beautiful.
If you could have one super power what would it be?
To time travel. I’d love to see what the future looks like and also go back in time and re-live memories.
Name one of your most embarrassing moments?
I once went for an interview, this was about 20 years ago for a job on Bargain Hunt – the antiques programme and I hadn’t done enough research on the show. I think I’d only watched one episode and the interviewer picked up on it and was really angry. Needless to say I didn’t get the job!!
What is your life motto?
Keep Smiling and Everything will be fine.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can play Violin and Piano – both reasonably well. I also have a few circus skills and can do trapeze, rope and silks!
Name your 3 favourite restaurants?
The Sheppey, In Godney, Wells – Its really local to me, it’s a quirky pub/ restaurant, the people are lovely and it does great food.
The Newt, Bruton. Their focus is on seasonal food and making whats in season the main focus of their dish. There’s also a beautiful garden there and they grow all their own vegetables and make their own cider.
River Exe Café: A custom built barge that floats off the shore of the Exe Estuary down in Devon– you have to get a water taxi across to it. They do great fish and chips
Your website: www.greensenseevents.co.uk
Email lisa@greensenseevents.co.uk
