International Women's Day 2022 - Breaking the Bias
Today is International Women’s Day and we celebrate talented Encore women around the globe who help us create events that transform. At Encore, diversity, equity and inclusion are foundational to our culture and core values. We promote an environment that thrives on embracing our differences. Happy International Women’s Day to the great women in the events and hospitality industries around the globe.
Celebrating some incredible women at Encore across APAC
At Encore, we are fortunate to have an amazing group of talented women in our team. In an industry traditionally dominated by men, IWD is an important day on our calendar to recognise the women at Encore. Today, we took IWD as an opportunity to handpick a few of our talented team across a range of roles to learn more about their unique journeys in hope to inspire other women and #BreakTheBias.
Victoria Finney, Learning Specialist
APAC
- What has been your proudest moment or achievement in your career to date?
I am incredibly proud of my career progression and tenure with Encore. From starting out as an Audio Visual Technician I have had the opportunity to hold positions as Venue Director and Assistant Venues Director in our Venues Team, Crew Controller in our Operations team and now APAC Learning Specialist as a member of the Human Resources team. I have developed an understanding and appreciation for the different business groups within the company and rapport with management and peers. I am now able to support all team members as Learning Specialist and give back to a company that has allowed me the opportunity and learning support to grow and advance my career.
- What inspired you to follow this career path?
I have always been passionate about music however not so much about performing in front of an audience so I decided the next best thing would be to support those who could and develop my skills and an Audio Technician. After informing my parents of my newfound passion I discovered that my father had worked in the industry and had his support in honing my skills mixing primarily local heavy metal bands in my hometown. During my senior school years, I had the opportunity to gain a unique insight into a career at Encore (then Staging Connections) via a work experience placement. After a week working alongside the team in the A.C.T setting up foldback for a large scale event I was hooked.
- What do you love most about your job and working for Encore?
The team members, the comradery, and the passion that we share in this industry. When you step back and look at what we achieve together we create moments in time, memories and no sooner have we created a spectacular event do we have to take it down. What lasts is the shared experience we have as a team in building, supporting, and executing that event.
- Throughout your time at Encore, what have you observed in relation to females within the business and the business’s support of equality?
During my formative years with the company and still today I work for and alongside strong females in General Management, Human Resources, as Venue Directors, in Stage Management and Technical roles. I also work alongside strong men who support me as an equal, respect and back me in a way that allows me not to be dismissed or diminished by their support or have them take over but rather allows me the space to step up.
- What’s your advice to other women looking to pursue a similar career path?
Don’t be inhibited by your internal dialogue. Look at the opportunities that arise and instead of thinking of the ways you may not be a traditional fit for a role look instead at what you can bring to that role. Always jump at the opportunity to extend yourself through training and invitation to work on projects. Become a subject matter expert in areas you are passionate about.
- How has working at Encore impacted your career?
I came into Encore as a passionate Audio Visual Technician. Encore has allowed me to take a passion for the events industry and given me the scope, training, and development to advance into roles that continues to grow with me and offer a fulfilling career. I have always referred to my employment with Encore as a career and never a job.
- What roles and locations have you worked in during your time with Encore?
Over the past 16 years I have had the opportunity to work in multiple offices along the east coast of Australia including Canberra and The Whitsundays as an Audio Visual Technician and Sydney where I have held roles as an Audio Visual Technician, Assistant Venue Director, Venue Director, Crew Controller and now Learning Specialist for APAC. I have also visited our Southeast Queensland, Melbourne and New Zealand locations when assisting with project rollouts.
- What would you say to your younger self?
Own your successes and your failures but don’t take on the responsibility of someone else’s. Give more than you get, you lose nothing by sharing your skills with others.
Sheridan Tampion, Technician
Sydney
- What has been your proudest moment or achievement in your career to date? And why.
My proudest moment actually came very early in my employment. I was helping to assemble a large truss arch in one of our partner venues when I heard a voice introducing himself to a colleague nearby, explaining that he was show calling the event that night. I recognised this voice immediately, as it belonged to one of my teachers from an industry related TAFE course I had studied three years previously. I excitedly approached him and said hello – he was both surprised and pleased to see me. We then had a short discussion catching each other up on our career progress over the last few years. I was proud to demonstrate – surrounded by lights and truss – that I had taken his lessons and advice onboard and, after gaining two years of experience in theatres, finally secured an AV role out in the real world. The hard work had paid off. - What inspired you to follow this career path?
I studied music performance specialising in voice after leaving high school. The auditorium there had an audio mixing console and simple lighting desk at the back of the room that caught my eye. Electives were offered that showed us how to use this equipment, and I was hooked. - What do you love most about your job and working for Encore?
Two years of pandemic pandemonium and long-standing lockdowns has reinforced what a good bunch of people we have working at Encore. As with many companies worldwide, Encore took a financial hit, and we sadly lost people as a result. But I will never forget how upper management went out to bat for us, and many of us were kept employed despite worldwide shutdowns, no events, and other hardships.When I returned to face-to-face work, seeing my colleagues was like returning home, and that sense of belonging and inclusion is very special.
- Throughout your time at Encore, what have you observed in relation to females within the business and the business’s support of equality?
Regarding technical roles specifically, there are more men in these roles than women. This has been the status quo for many years, but it is important to acknowledge the shift that has taken place as more women become interested in a career in AV. Gender is not the barrier that it once was and, as a result, we’re seeing more women behind the operator’s desk. On a more general business level, women are well represented in many roles including venue directors and sales – the people with which I interact most often outside of the technical circle. It’s also worth noting that NSW’s General Manager is female. - What’s your advice to other women looking to pursue a similar career path?
My advice to women would be the same as my advice to people who identify as any gender – look for opportunities to get experience wherever you can find it, such as your local theatre, church, and school. Immerse yourself in the AV community, try new things and start networking, because opportunities sometimes come from unusual places. Furthermore, you do not need a fancy degree and a mountain of student debt nowadays to get your foot in the door. The internet is an immensely valuable resource for learning virtually anything you need to know. Combine this with some diligence and hands on experience and you’ll be a formidable employment candidate. - How has working at Encore impacted your career?
Encore launched my career in AV. My previous job roles were unrelated to the field and lacking direction. During that time, I volunteered at several theatre companies to build experience in AV and open some doors. Encore (at the time called Staging Connections) was the first company to see my potential and made the decision to recruit me. - What would you say to your 8 year old self?
I would encourage her to tell her parents she wants to play those shiny instruments sitting in the AV room. She is three years away from discovering music and her ability to sing but is already giving that saxophone the side eye.I’d tell her to take the opportunity to get involved in high school events in the school hall – as a back stage helper as well as on stage, for I was too shy to express my fascination with the equipment at that time, and it could have saved me five or more years of delaying my start into the workforce due to indecision and lack of exploration.
If you have a niggling interest in something, delve further into it. Maybe you’ll decide later it isn’t for you. But what if it is?
Luisa Mate, Venue Director
Fiji
- What has been your proudest moment or achievement in your career to date? And why.
My proudest moment was successfully executing a hybrid event on February 12th, 2022, at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa. We had the opportunity to work alongside a group of Advanced team and Executive Techs that flew in from Washington DC for the Official Visit to Fiji by the United States Secretary of State, His Excellency Anton J. Blinken. It was a proud moment of our small team of technicians, operation, and I as we delivered and experienced this high-level meeting and be a part of Fiji’s Historical event.
- What inspired you to follow this career path?
I joined the Hospitality Industry in 2009 in the Sales & Marketing and Events team for about 7 years where I grew my passion of customer engagement and understanding the customers unique needs and how an offering fits into the picture. Encore gave me this same opportunity 5 years ago when I joined the team in 2017 and I never looked back as I am doing what I love the most Sales, interacting with people and being able to grow my knowledge on audio visual and now hybrid technology.
- What do you love most about your job and working for Encore?
The team of course, here in Fiji we are a small team of 11 amazing technicians and admin, venue directors, and operation team too and two awesome leaders, Adam & Tim! Working for Encore has given me a sense of belonging and has challenged my professional development.
- Throughout your time at Encore, what have you observed in relation to females within the business and the business’s support of equality?
I believe when women are given access to opportunities for career growth, they can make a huge impact on their company and support equality as whole. Encore has shown me this value and loyalty which has impacted my career.
- What’s your advice to other women looking to pursue a similar career path?
Take pride in advancing your career, demonstrate you’re up for a challenge, and continue to network. Remember that you are your best advocate, and deserve to be treated equally, so show them you’ve got what it takes!
- How has working at Encore impacted your career?
The company direction and purpose through COVID was a source of encouragement for colleagues and me, especially coming from a small island nation and I will continue to show my committed to doing more great work.
- What roles and locations have you worked in during your time with Encore?
Venue Director at Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa since 2017. I worked remotely from Fiji for about 3 months assisting Matthew Jordaan from Sofitel Auckland, New Zealand and Pedro Martinho from Pullman International, Cairns during COVID Fiji lockdown in 2021 which was an amazing opportunity and learning experience.
- What would you say to your 8-year-old self?
Be kinder to yourself, always know your worth! Nothing is impossible when you believe!
Tanya Cosgrave, Venue Director
New Zealand
- What has been your proudest moment or achievement in your career to date? And why.The proudest moment for me to date, would be when I received the medallion from the Joint International Configuration Review Board and MIDS International Review Board committee after their week-long event at the Pullman in Auckland in November 2019. It was a five-day event with multiple breakout venues with multiple sessions per day. At the end of the conference on the last day, I was called up together with the technical team and we were publicly thanked in front of all the attendees and were handed the medallion as a token of appreciation. This was the first time that New Zealand had the opportunity to host this international event and we were very grateful to be apart of a historical event.
- What roles and locations have you worked in during your time with Encore?I started with Encore as a Venue Sales Executive at the Pullman in Auckland in 2018 and I am now a Venue Director, assisting with several hotels in Auckland.
- What inspired you to follow this career path?I saw an ad with a recruitment company for a Venue Sales Executive based in a hotel. I went to the interview thinking I would be interviewing for a role with the hotel, only to find out that it was for Encore. I took a chance and thought I have so much to gain, so why not and here I am 3 years later in a Venue Director role.
- What do you love most about your job and working for Encore?No two days are the same. Walking into a venue with a client pre-function seeing an empty shell and then on show day walking into the same venue, all set up with stage, lighting and styling and seeing their facial expression for the first time. It makes all the long hours and hard work to get to that point all worthwhile.
- Throughout your time at Encore, what have you observed in relation to females within the business and the business’s support of equality?I have found the females that work in Encore have got strong voices and are not shy to be heard. I feel that females are well supported and are not overlooked when opportunities arise to further their careers.
- What’s your advice to other women looking to pursue a similar career path? Don’t be afraid to try something new. I came into the industry, knowing very little to nothing about audio, vision, lighting etc and used my knowledge gained during my work experience at various hotels and in the events industry to help me get through. During my time at Encore and thanks to the support from management, the technical and wider team it has helped me to grow from strength to strength.
- How has working at Encore impacted your career?I found it has broadened my horizons to a whole new industry, that I previously had little experience with, and I find that I am learning something new every day. It has brought me out of my comfort zone, of just a sales role, to a more diverse role knowing a lot more about our products and services that we have on offer. It has also made me feel confident when speaking to clients about what we are all about and how we can assist them with their events.
Nicha Komsun, Venue Director
Thailand
- What has been your proudest moment or achievement in your career to date? And why.
The most proudest and achievement is to work with Encore. I have been in the event industry for 17 years and Encore is the best company I’ve ever worked with. I’ve always felt extremely grateful that I work here. The company is very supportive and I work in a team that is helpful and encouraging. I feel safe and know that I can help the company grow and in turn grow with it. - What inspired you to follow this career path?
The excitement of events is why I love what I do. I meet a lot of people (colleagues, client, teams, partner and vendors). I love being part of a team and collaborating with all kinds of people. We aren’t just working together, we support each other on a deeper level to ensure we deliver every event successfully. Everyday is a new day to learn, improve and to keep challenging myself. - What do you love most about your job and working for Encore?
People at Encore are what I love the most. The way we work together, the way we support each other. Everyone is supportive and I never feel alone. I know I have my teams and company beside me and help me to be the best that I can be. - Throughout your time at Encore, what have you observed in relation to females within the business and the business’s support of equality?
I believe everyone at Encore is treated equally. For females in particular, Encore is very supportive and gives us opportunities to further our careers. - What’s your advice to other women looking to pursue a similar career path?
If you know what you want to do and be then stick to it. Do not stop learning and develop yourself. Keep walking and you will be there one day. - How has working at Encore impacted your career?
Working at Encore grown my mind set a lot especially in the people development. The company are very supportive in my career so I can do the job well and I can improve my capability a lot. - What would you say to your 8 year old safe?
Be a good person who surrounded by all good person. Stay positive in all situation and whatever you want be try to be the best you can be.
Feeling inspired? Join the Encore team
At Encore, our people are our great asset, because without our talented team we wouldn’t be able to deliver the incredible experiences that we do. We are always looking to bring on new talent for passionate, dedicated and hard working individuals. If you are interested in joining our team across our ANZPAC offices, please explore our open opportunities today.
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