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.
This week we will meet Gemma Clarke, assistant producer at TFI Lodestar. Clark transformed his love for planning experience into a thriving career. In this interview, she shares lessons she has learned from moments of high pressure. It shares why mild leadership is important and why ethical labor practices should be at the heart of the industry’s future, from fair treatment to sustainability.
What made you want to join the industry? What is the reason?
I have always loved planning experiences for friends and family, even from a young age. Studying event management in college helped me realize that I can turn that passion into a career.
My first proper event was the mini festival I held at Half Moon in Putney. About 80 people came in, and enough to destroy the artist and pay fairly. That practical experience showed me how well I thrived under pressure and how pleased I was to be a behind-the-scenes person. From that moment on, I knew that the creation of the event was where I was intended.
What was the biggest challenge you overcome?
I held this event late last year. It was my first time running a livestream show. There are so many techniques to consider, so many preparations are required for these things. There was also a huge mixture of direct and virtual speakers, with plenty of content to manage.
Everything was going well until a nationwide grid blackout occurred. It was completely out of our control, but of course your clients and your team are looking for you to guide them through the situation and provide answers. There wasn’t much we could do, but we tried to run the cable into a powered building with three doors down, but in the end the WiFi wasn’t strong enough to give it enough streams. We were able to get some pre-records up and running, and when the power finally returned, we rose and ran smoothly as quickly as possible.
The situation was extremely stressful as there is nothing you can do from staying calm, gathering information and making decisions that are best for your team and clients. You need to protect your team from clients while softening them.
What have you learned about yourself since entering the world of events?
One of the biggest things I’ve learned about myself is that I don’t have to be the loudest in the room. Early on, it was extremely difficult to come up with difficult conversation ideas, whether they were suppliers or colleagues. I was worried that it would be taken seriously, but I had to be strong or overly assertive. As a young woman, I felt that pressure had been amplified from time to time, and I felt like there was something to prove. But over time I have noticed that calm and clear communication is often far more effective.
Working at a live event means dealing with famous individuals who have shorter hours and are not interested in fun things. I have learned that they want an easy and efficient direction and are good at providing that when I compose and stay focused. You don’t need to speak up to listen. You need to be clear about what needs to happen and why.
On the ground, when something goes wrong, screaming doesn’t solve anything. What people need at that moment is someone who can assess the situation, maintain ground and clearly communicate the next step. I learned that you can be that person and that effective leadership isn’t always loud and can look calm under pressure.
How important is schemes like CN 30under30 and do you think the industry is enough to support young professionals?
Schemes like CN 30under30 are important. It’s easy to feel an uncertainty about yourself early in your career, especially in such a fast-paced industry. Even a collaborative team can have moments where you question whether you’re doing things the right way or whether you have the impact you want. This kind of perception reminds you that you are on the right track.
That said, such a scheme is only part of the photograph. The event industry is extremely demanding, and in many cases there is little time or structure to properly support young professionals. More consistent mentoring, clearer development pathways and comprehensive team culture are needed. Celebrating young talent is a great start, but we need to invest in it too.
Before I acquired this role, I applied for what felt like hundreds of jobs. I had just left university and I kept hearing that I had potential but not enough. It sometimes felt almost impossible to enter the industry. That’s why I believe in giving young people a chance. When you do, they often work ten times more intense than just to prove themselves, because they really want to learn and grow. Employers also give them the opportunity to shape someone from scratch with the value that matches their team. It’s not just kind, it’s smart.
How will the events industry change over the next five years and would you like to be part of that change?
The next five years. The event industry is shaped by two major things: sustainability and AI. Sustainability has shifted from buzzwords to true priorities, and it only grows. People question the impact of every decision, from travel to materials to suppliers, and the pressure is urging us to make more thoughtful choices. It helps me to care and want to play an active role and think about how we can work without compromising creativity or experience.
At the same time, AI is already beginning to change the way we approach event planning. There is a very high chance that things will be more efficient, such as schedules, logistics, or how you use your audience data, but you need to be careful. I want to be part of a generation that uses AI as a tool to enhance what we are doing, rather than replacing the human side.
I don’t think we have all the answers yet, but I want to be curious, continue to learn, be a little smarter, and help shape the future of a much more sustainable event.
What are the issues and topics within the industry? Can you explain a little about that?
The issues I want to be deeply interested in and advocate in the events industry are ethical work, especially in terms of equity, sustainability and how I treat people at all levels of the process. This includes transparent pay and contracts, comprehensive practices, ethical procurement and thoughtful approaches to technology like AI. For me, it’s about raising the standard for how we work, not just what we offer.
Why is this particular issue or topic important to you?
This is important to me. I have seen people, especially in the early years of my career and in the music industry, that people, especially young professionals and freelancers, can be underestimated or used. It’s a tough industry at times and I think we can still create incredible high pressure work without compromising basic fairness or kindness.
What are you going to do to continue with the champion/topic?
To continue defending this, I will continue to speak up when something doesn’t feel right, share knowledge, and support new talent. I am also committed to making ethical decisions part of the planning process, from selecting suppliers to sustainability and the way we treat everyone we exist.
What can the industry itself do to better advocate for this topic?
As an industry, I think we need to normalize accountability. It means having clearer standards on working conditions, promoting transparency and creating space for underrated voices. Ethics should not be an afterthought. They should be part of the way we define success.
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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