What was your first job in the industry? 
My first job in media was selling classified adverts in Printing World magazine and the first event I worked on was the Printing World Awards. Back in the days of cutting ads out and laying them out on wax boards…we used to be told on press day “you’ve got a 4 cm by 1 column ad to sell, but the service has to start with a G.” 

What has been your biggest challenge? 
Not trying to do too much. I’m not a big sleeper and so I spend a lot of time thinking and having ideas, that can be a dangerous thing…the biggest challenge across the board is always visitors…if you don’t get an audience you haven’t got a show. 

Who’s inspired you? 
There are so many people that have and continue to inspire me in the industry. If I had to choose one it would be my mentor starting out, Graham Sherren, founder of Centaur. He gave me my opportunity at an early stage of my career and he taught me some key things which remain with me. 1. Don’t be a busy fool and 2. Always do things to the highest standard – if you’ve got 5 ideas and resources for 3, do 2 of them exceptionally well. 

How has the industry changed? 
Like many industries, technology has been transformational – the way we can communicate now and the things that can be done to improve the visitor and exhibitor experience are incredible. That being said, I love the fact the industry has in many ways kept its core the same: creative, innovative, providing face to face engagement to improve businesses. The fact that the world is now so accessible is another huge change, there remains so much opportunity. 

What’s your criteria when selecting a supplier for your events? 
Obviously there are quality of service, product delivery and cost … but I look for someone that will genuinely be a partner. A company that will work with me to help my business grow, my events succeed and then as a result will benefit from that growth. I have worked with many suppliers like that and we work together time and time again. Showlite is one of those companies. 

Bio

Ed held a series of senior management roles across Miller Freeman, Centaur and Informa before joining Findlay in 2008. As a founding director of Findlay Media, Ed worked across the portfolio of print and online products, launching its award-winning exhibition business in 2012. 

After the acquisition of Findlay by Mark Allen Group in 2013, Ed became a member of the group board, executive director of MA Business and was the launch managing director of MA Exhibitions. In less than four years, and built largely on launches and organic growth, MA Exhibitions became a multi award winning business, delivering 36% of the group’s turnover, with events on five continents.

Ed is now managing director and founder of 73 Media, an events and exhibitions business and has several new events launches underway. 

Ed is a member of the AEO board.