Tom HallJonathan Emmins, founder, Amplify, talks talent…
With events often perceived as an untraditional or an unclear career path, how can we attract the best talent and keep them inspired?
Creative and clued-up people head to where they feel they can do their best work; and as an industry we’re only as good as the individuals that call it home. Talent can spot the difference between genuinely creative and progressive companies and those merely doing an impression of one. We must be culturally strong, live by example and give creativity free by letting different backgrounds and experiences collide.
The majority of the industry used to be made up of ex-student union ents officers or people who had found their way in by accident. Positively, today there’s a number of universities and event courses cultivating and producing top talent. Yet we still need to work harder and look laterally to attract a diverse mix.
Much of Amplify’s success is thanks to exciting talent who are often hybrids or found from unconventional backgrounds, both culturally and professionally. It’s absurd that a whole sector of amazing talent is often ignored because they’re ‘industry unaware’ or can’t afford to ‘intern’ indefinitely. We must try harder.