Blog

Mental Health and Wellbeing at Work

Today is Event Wellbeing Day. A day to focus on wellbeing in the events industry. 

Statistics from the EventWell website say that one in three event professionals suffer from mental ill health each year.

So, what can we do to change this? 

What’s in a Name?

What’s in a name?

In recent weeks if that name was Ciara or Dennis, the answer is death, destruction and misery.

With all of this enforced time at home indoors and thumb-twiddling not my forte, I started to think about why we give storms human names. I mean, what is it like for all the Dennises and Ciara’s to have to sit there and watch as this elemental force is busy trashing a hitherto calm and peaceful reputation?

Dazzling Drones

Fireworks never fail to delight, do they?

The discovery of fireworks, approximately 2,000 years ago in China, is thought to have happened by chance when a cook accidentally mixed three common kitchen ingredients. The mixture was developed into a firecracker which became an essential part of Chinese festivities and thought to be powerful enough to expel evil spirits. In 1295, Marco Polo brought fireworks to Europe from Asia and as Europeans travelled to the New World, so did their firework recipes.

British Independent Film Awards

What a night!

Full of glitz and glamour, a white carpet and the best names in British film. Last night, Old Billingsgate transformed into the 22nd British Independent Film Awards.

It's an event we are very proud to be part of and our 10th year as a technical partner.

The Scope of Tropes

I write this on the day that Joseph Plateau was born, way back in 1801. At the same time 218 years later, Apple have just launched their latest iPhone offering with no less than four cameras as its unique selling point.

As always, the arrival of Apple’s new device was heralded with trumpeted words and phrases like “magical” and “best ever” and “innovative”. Words that seem to accompany every new product the company launches.

So, what do Apple’s platitudes have to do with Joseph Plateau?

The Scale Model

Nostalgia. It’s a powerful thing. The word derives from the Greek “nóstos” meaning homecoming and “álgos” meaning pain or ache and is used to describe that physical sense of yearning for times or places that evoke fond memories.

I’ve found as I march on through life that this sense of nostalgia seems to take me more often, as with my current obsession of re-making the model kits that I made when I was also a scaled-down version of my current self. The feel of the plastic, the smell of the paints – they take you off to a place where the world was much, much bigger – slightly scary, but full of excitement and wonder.

Global Events Services

We spoke to Senior Production Manager Liam to find out his take on events around the globe, how they are different to delivering events in the UK, his favourite Broadsword international event, the challenges he has faced while being abroad and the 5 items he wouldn't be without.  

What do you like about delivering international events?

I love the occasional opportunity to explore a new city.  Working in events has taken me to four continents, and countless cities I would never have had chance to visit.  If I get the chance I love to wander around absorbing the sights, sounds and smells.  A particular highlight was a 48 break between landing and starting work in Bangkok last year, which meant I could see a cousin who lives there, explore the city, and go to a gig. 

Public Speaking in Madrid – Some Useful Tips

It’s never too late to try something new.

When asked to attend the second C&IT International Forum as a speaker, I was a little apprehensive. These were unchartered waters for me; I love conversation of course, but the responsibility to add value and contribute meaningful content, was rather daunting. Let’s face it: most of us experience public speaking butterflies, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A little nervousness raises our level of performance but it’s important that the balance doesn’t tip from nerves to anxiety.

Meet the Producers

There are many unique skills and talents under the Event House roof. Broadsword are very proud of their people and the #OneTeam approach.

In a bid to shift things into more of an ‘open plan’ format, team members John Telfer and Simon Baines are taking on new Producer roles within our Event Team, and trailblazing a different approach to Broadsword’s project management. They will be responsible for taking events from initial brief through to delivery, sitting at the heart of a project and pulling together all the necessary resources to produce a brilliant show.

Here’s their take on their next step.