In the course of the CN 30 Underdarity Program, Conference News talks to program members about what is advocating for professional journeys and shaping a more inclusive and foresighted industry.
Meet Eva Phelan, senior creative producer at Heaps and Stacks this week. In this interview, Phelan discusses his passion for experientiality, the importance of work-life balance and the support community.
What made you want to join the industry? What is the reason?
Since my first role working as a production assistant at the Cannes Lions Festival, I have known that I have been fascinated by the events industry and wanted a career in an experiential world.
From adrenaline-filled days to exploiting amazing creativity, working in this industry was rewarding and exciting, and I couldn’t imagine any other career paths. Every day, you have the opportunity to create pop-ups, activations and campaigns that combine problem-solving attitudes with organizations and imagination to bring people together and create memorable moments.
What are the first career highlights that come to mind?
The first thing that always comes to mind is the beat of a residency. This was the cultural hub at the heart of Shoreditch, which brought together music, art and culture while working in the residency of MKTG and Beats by Dre.beats, Shoreditch was a physical space created to inspire creativity and celebrate the role of music in culture. It was a multipurpose event venue that hosted a diverse lineup of exhibitions, music launches, and pop-up events, bringing together Shoreditch and the surrounding community through talent, suppliers and teams.
I’ve been working on this project for a year and a half and the experience I gained was truly a “once in a lifetime” kind. I was exposed to many aspects of not only production, but team management, architecture practices and council licensing. The list continues!
What was the biggest challenge you overcome?
I think the biggest challenge is to find a good balance between work and life. That’s something I’m really passionate about and I’ve tried to be a champion for the past few months through some of the talk opportunities I’ve been involved in.
I lived in London for 6 years and it gets a bit busy when my partner regularly returns to Ireland as I live there and my days are trying to match travel, long hours and some exercise! But I love finding a fast pace and its balance. Whether it’s time for a walk or creative, I think some of our best work and inspiration will happen in downtime.
What have you learned about yourself since entering the world of events?
I can really follow 100% of what I want to achieve or do! I have a driver personality and I think my job as a producer feeds my daily life and general motivations. Working in the industry means we have a veteran of having plans A, B, C, D. So I think it’s easier with that mindset and sometimes take the opportunity and try something new. Like I always say, “What do I need to lose?”
Based on this outlook, we will set up Experience Edit, an online space for celebrating and unlocking global activations from around the world. Currently on LinkedIn and Instagram, I plan to develop experience editing on other platforms this year.
What would it be if you could give your younger self advice when starting an event?
Get as much experience as possible and say yes to everything (almost)! You don’t know when those people will come back, so cherish every connection you make. The industry is a very small place and your reputation is very important.
How important is schemes like CN 30under30 and do you think the industry is enough to support young professionals?
I think there is a need to support young professionals in this area, especially those. With education still lacking around the industry as a whole, schemes like CN 30under30 can help break these barriers and bring more awareness to the industry. The scheme promotes a sense of community, builds networking opportunities and sheds light on new talent within the industry.
How will the events industry change over the next five years and would you like to be part of that change?
I think the events industry is constantly changing, but it’s like a wave that we all have to ride! We look forward to changes within our industry’s sustainability regions and within our brands that support our communities and smaller talent. This is something I always try to put into practice when working on an event, whether or not I book a local artist or partner with a local cafe. Because these small details can have a huge impact on both the community and the success of the event.
What are the issues and topics within the industry? Can you explain a little about that?
What I am passionate about is how work-life balance and how we develop a culture where institutions and brands provide people with spaces to combine their work with their work. I’m very fortunate with Heaps + Stacks, with a flexible, supportive and respectful culture, and my purpose is to promote this kind of culture to other institutions and other institutions and brands where people can enjoy working within the experience industry.
Why is this particular issue or topic important to you?
I think this is especially important to me. Because people often have to juggle multiple roles professionally and personally, and they believe the industry is challenging. The nature of fast-paced, high-pressure events with long hours, weekend work and frequent travel can make it difficult to maintain a healthy balance. This advances leadership roles while managing the risk of burnout, especially for women who have to navigate their caregiving and family expectations.
What are you going to do to continue with the champion/topic?
I will continue to talk about this topic and encourage others to set boundaries and build good work-life balances. They also seek open conversations about mental health and burnout, especially for young professionals and women in the industry. By mentoring others, guiding empathy and retaining space for honest dialogue, we want to contribute to a culture in which balance is seen as a foundation for long-term success rather than luxury.
What can the industry itself do to better advocate for this topic?
There is growing recognition across the industry that there is a need for a more flexible working model, stronger support, and an inclusive workplace culture that does not undermine the people who set boundaries. We need to continue this move and encourage and support others to build the careers we want with a healthy work-life balance at our core.
CN 30underthirty is a 12-month program that recognizes and supports young talent in the conference and conference industry. For more information about the 2025 CN 30 Under 30 class, click here.
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