The Know It Alls

Maybe we’re guilty of poetic licence, in truth we don’t know it all, but individually we are very experienced in our areas of speciality and we’re happy to share.

The Know It All’s are not academics merely teaching the theory; each trainer is still working in the market and each has shed loads of case studies and examples to add credibility to their presentations. Without exception they are good which makes your day not only productive, but fun as well.

As the months go by, expect to see more trainers join the gallery on this page!

JANE MURPHY
Jane is a highly experienced international publisher and organiser and former Business Development Director at The Event Industry Alliance working across the Association of Event Organisers, The Association of Event Venues and Event Suppliers and Services Association.

Her former roles include Portfolio Director of UBM running the leading UK IT and telecoms event “Networks” and Event Manager and Publisher at Advanstar Comunications. Jane has managed events for several of IT and telecoms companies and trade associations as an outsource event manager and has therefore enjoyed a 360° view of events. Jane splits her time running ‘The Know It All’s Guide to Exhibiting’ and General Physics where she is the Learning and Development Manager.

DARREN McGRATH
An honours graduate in Business Management Darren started his career at Haymarket Publishing where he worked on publications focussing on marketing and events.

Darren has extensive experience of training within the events industry and he plays a pivotal role in developing and delivering training courses within this market place. In 2004 Darren was involved in securing the contract to become the official training partner for The Association of Event Organisers which saw him work even more closely with venues, organisers, trade associations , suppliers and exhibitors worldwide . Currently Darren is the Learning and Development Director at General Physics, a global performance improvement company.

All Darren’s courses epitomise his energy, passion and knowledge for helping organisations and people develop and succeed. In 2009 Darren won the coveted award as “The One to Watch” in The UK Events Industry at the annual awards ceremony at London’s 02 Arena.

LOUISE KIWANUKA
Louise and her partner set up Event Share in 2007. Event Share is an operational support company that focuses on providing highly effective event production by combining some of the industry’s finest operational staff.




PADDY POWER
Paddy Power has worked in the exhibition industry for 18 years. For most of that time he has been on helping companies to maximise their returns and minimise costs (and stress levels) from exhibitions and events. He works across all aspects of successful exhibiting – planning, promotion, stand staff development and effective follow up. His commercial clients include Xerox, Johnson and Johnson and Novo Nordisk and he also works for a number of ‘not for profit organisations’ including The NHS, MOD and CAB.

As well as working across Europe Paddy has worked for clients in the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong and Australia.

He has a practical approach. His ideas are highly effective, easy to implement and, most importantly, they are proven to work.

JO SMITH
Until 2007 Joanne was with a leading exhibition organiser EMAP Communications as Director of Operations responsible for the logistical management of their exhibitions. Joanne launched 2112 Events in June 2007 after leaving EMAP. 2112 Events is a small freelance business designed to meet the sales, operations/logistical management and product management needs of UK exhibition organisers, venues, contractors and exhibitors.

Her vast wealth of event management experience gives her company a supreme advantage in organisation and implementation of event management, sales and business development for exhibitions and events Award ceremonies and in house events.

Joanne also undertakes the Operational Staff training on behalf of the Association of Event Organisers.

LAURA MOODY
Laura Moody has been in the exhibition and events industry for 15 years. Prior to joining Fish Software in March 2009 as MD in the UK, she was Managing Director of Nomadic Display UK (the Worlds leading designer and producer of portable and modular exhibition and display stands) for over 12 years.

During her time at Nomadic she was a passionate evangelist for exhibitor education: presenting, writing and leading campaigns to help exhibitors get the most from their live marketing presence. She also developed a series of ‘How to Exhibit’ CD-ROMs and on-line videos.

Laura currently writes a monthly article for Exhibiting Magazine and has been named as one of the UK exhibition industry’s ‘Top 50 Influential’ people for the last four years.

SIMON GARRETT
Simon is Managing Director of X-Venture Risk Management Solutions

Formerly the Operations Director of Earls Court Simon set up X-Venture in 2002 to provide specialist health and safety consultancy to the events sports and entertainments industry.  He is a Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner and as well as consultancy X-Venture runs IOSH health and safety courses for the events industry.

Simon has chaired the EIA working group since its inception and is also a course director at the Cabinet Emergency Planning College in Easingwold.

SIMON NAUDI
Simon is the MD of Answers Training Group.

His obvious understanding and enthusiasm for his subjects are evident in his humorous, practical and inspirational approach to training delivery.

He has written numerous articles on management and sales related topics and is regularly called to deliver events on behalf of the AEO, IIP, Universities, Training and Enterprise Councils, Business Links, the Chartered Institute of Training and Development and other national and international government bodies. He has also written two books on selling; Advanced Telesales – The Definitive Guide and The Gentle Art of Firm Persuasion both published by Spiro Press.

The range of topics he presents is impressive. Whatever the subject Simon’s courses exhibit a common trait – his commitment to ensuring his participants gain specific skills, tips and techniques that will be translated directly into the workplace.

RUTH DOVER
Ruth has been in the Training and Development Industry for 18 years, 13 of which have been with her own consultancy, RNR Training & Coaching. She creates implements and delivers tailored training programmes and has extensive experience of training, mentoring and coaching at executive, management and staff levels.

Ruth specialises in personal and management development training and works across the private, public and voluntary sectors. Included amongst her numerous courses are First Impressions, Presentation Skills, Communication Skills, Training the Trainer and Facilitation Skills. As a result she has helped numerous people improve their confidence and effectiveness in front of audiences from 1 to 200 and is regularly asked back by clients to deliver additional courses.

Ruth gained qualifications in Training Management and subsequently the Diploma in Personnel and Development (IPD).

BRIAN WISEMAN
Brian has spent his entire career in the Marketing Communications Industry with particular emphasis on live events and exhibitions. In the 1980’s, Brian launched FHM magazine and sold it to EMAP.  He has been a key player in both the exhibition and publishing industries over the last 40 years.

Brian sold his exhibition company in 1989 to Blenheim Group PLC, becoming the Deputy Chairman of the UK operating arm. He was with Blenheim for a number of years, and was responsible for organising a wide range of successful exhibitions. His knowledge of trade and consumer events is impressive !

Since leaving his last full time position over six years ago , Brian has used his experience and knowledge to acquire a number of consultancy projects and developed a series of training courses for the organiser community around the principles of launching an event, in 2009 Brian was presented with the coveted Association of Event Organisers award for outstanding contribution to the event and exhibition industry. Oh and he was even the man behind the launch of the record breaking Erotica exhibition which he then went onto sell.