Kelly McCormack
Centenary Events and Engagement Manager at the University of Leicester
www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-mccormack-45283b2a/

As part of our commitment to championing the industry, we are talking to people about their careers and what IEM means to them.

Kelly McCormack is an Event Manager for the University of Leicester and has been in the events industry for around a decade. In 2019, Kelly won the East Midlands Women’s Award (EMWA) Outstanding Woman in Arts, Media, and Music and was Highly Commended for East
Midlands Volunteer of The Year. In 2021 she became Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, is a member of the Event Marketing Association and Virtual Events Institute (VEI) Expert qualified. Kelly has been a mentor for ScreenSkills, DMU Alumni, and
the Like Minded Females Network, Trustee for Voluntary Action Leicester and Young Director for Iconic Music Dance and Drama Ltd.

Q How did you hear about the IEM?
A Through a google search for developmental opportunities.

QWhat does the IEM mean to you?
A To be part of an institute/membership which respects and understands the industry and job that I love so much gives me immense pride. I feel excited to be involved and when I mentioned it on my Linkedin I had so many enquiries as to what it was and positive feedback.

Q Why did you decide it was important for you to get involved?
A The pandemic was super hard on everyone but the events industry saw their work disappear overnight and felt immediately forgotten about even though digital events were what kept most of us going. That tough period made me realise how important it is to surround
ourselves with likeminded people who understand the benefits of events and social connection. I was really drawn in and attracted by the advertised members list on the website as a number of them were from academic institutions, as am I, where I have always suffered a bit
of imposter syndrome for not coming from an agency background.

Q Where do you hope to see the IEM in 20 years’ time?
A Thriving even more with an increased membership.

Q What is your favourite event related memory?
A Although I love all the events I have run over the years and have immense pride in them – I’ll never forgot the first time I visited the International Confex/Event Production Show – I had found my people! I learnt so much, made so many notes and again found that feeling of
event community I had been missing. The fact that the entrance fee was £0 just blew my mind and I have been attending for a number of years since.

 

As part of our commitment to supporting the industry, we offer free enrolment to all our members on our Purpose Programme and we are talking to those people who have taken part about how it was for them.

This is what Simon Venn, Head of Events and Partnerships at ReThink Academy Ltd, had to say…

Q Why did you sign up to the programme?
A To help me focus on what I want, what I can offer, what areas i need to develop and also to increase my Leadership and people management knowledge.

Q Was it what you expected?
A From what I accessed it was extremely well put together and as expected

Q What did you get out of the programme?
A A range of tools to help easily analyse my current position, value understanding and what my purpose needs to be.

Q hat would you say to someone considering signing up to the programme?
A Do it – it’s a very thorough introduction to a way of self assessment and understanding of how you can use the course materials to help shape your current role and seek out assistance in finding the right future role.

The next cohort starts on the 28th January.

Find out more about the Purpose Programme

 

As part of our commitment to supporting the industry, we offer free enrolment to all our members on our Purpose Programme and we are talking to those people who have taken part about how it was for them.

This is what Daisy Louise Lyons, a Graduate at Event Grads, had to say…

Q Why did you sign up to the programme?
A I signed up to the programme because I found myself unsure of what or where I was going career wise and thought it maybe useful to help me develop this.

Q Was is what you expected?
A I had no idea what to expect. Until joining they very first session I had no idea what it all was going to be.

Q What did you get out of the programme?
A I met some really interesting, warm and friendly individuals. It helped me learn new concepts, new ways of thinking about my purpose and where I want to take myself not just in my career but in my family life too. I also think it gives some great ideas for things to say at an interview to help find that the company and your own beliefs, thoughts, ethics etc align together.

Q What would you say to someone considering signing up to the programme?
A I would say organise it during a time where you won’t be quite as busy as you normally would be. There is a lot of information and a lot to think about/work through which can be difficult to do if you’re extremely busy.

The next cohort starts on the 28th January.

Find out more about the Purpose Programme

 

Twixmas is a time for reflection and making plans. If you are in the world of events, it may also be a scarey time this year, again, as you consider what lies ahead and challenges 2022 may bring. To help you navigate this, the IEM offers all members free entry onto their Purpose Programme. This […]