Women make up about 70% of the global event workforce, but their stories, leadership and influence are often underestimated.
70% is a weekly series celebrating women who shape the event industry. From rising stars to veteran leaders, each profile sheds light on the career journeys, challenges and perspectives of women working in every corner of the sector.
In the ninth edition, we will talk to Penny Noble, the client services director and founder of Noble Events, currently part of the Vespace family.
Have you been in the events industry for years?
35 years (it hurts!)
How do you balance the growth of professionals with personal commitment? Also, do you think the industry is evolving in terms of work-life balance?
Personally, I’m terrified of this, but I’m very supportive of ensuring that the team does everything they can to ensure the balance is correct. That’s difficult. We work in a very pressurized industry that cannot easily accommodate a complete work-life balance. It is recommended that team members take advantage of quiet times to make up for busy people. I think the industry as whole is working hard to deal with this as practical.
How do you think the events industry is evolving in terms of diversity, equity and inclusion?
There are some amazing initiatives currently being deployed to support DE&I in our industry. There’s a lot to do, but I feel there’s a stairwell of support out there. We are very concerned about not only our own clients’ work, but also our team.
What advice would you give to young women looking to join the event industry and succeed?
Be aware of the gender gaps that still exist. When I was first appointed, I was one of the youngest women boards in the industry, and at the time, 95% of all directors were male. This isn’t completely reversed at the moment, but we’re getting there. It’s still fair to say that the leaders of very large agencies are still dominated by men, but that is also slowly changing. Certainly, it’s much easier than the 1990s, but again, there’s still work to do. I’ll work hard. Early on-site knowledge gained as much on-site as possible and always know your number.
How do you handle set errors and failures?
I try to get away from the problem to give myself time to think. (I walk a lot, but this helps a lot). Someone once told me “No one’s dead” and I remember this very well when I was trying to navigate a very difficult situation. Learn from each set and mistake. Take it personally and don’t think about anything positive.
What changes do you think are still needed to create more opportunities for leadership women?
Perhaps as early as university, courses should be more coordinated towards leadership equality. Industry-specific leadership courses are a great benefit tailored to women, and are encouraged by current or former female leaders, allowing you to communicate firsthand experiences and learning from your own journey.
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