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.

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).

ALDO BREDA
Aldo has worked in sales & sales training for over 15 years with sales, management and training positions in media, training & recruitment in the UK and internationally.

This continuous focused and personal approach for training laid the foundations for what has become and still is a passion for him…namely personal development in the workplace.

Having had the opportunity to work with, coach and mentor some truly remarkable people, his goal is to continue to work and provide clients with up to date, practical and effective training solutions that help them in turn achieve their personal and professional objectives.

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.

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.

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.

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.