23 days to go!!

With only 23 days to go (well 24 when I took my countdown picture!) until the 2015 Rugby World Cup I have to admit my blog has started to slip a little...

As I have said before the lead up to an event is by far the busiest time and this job is no exception. The PR campaign has ramped up and the media coverage is starting to build. Squads have been announced and the first teams have even arrived in the country, so as you can imagine it's all go in our office.

Whilst my blog posts will be fewer in the coming weeks rest assured I am working all hours of the day to put on this event and will hopefully have many fun stories and learnings to write about afterwards!

See you on the the flip side!!

Did someone say Britney!?

Rugby - England v France

This weekend I was working at the QBE England v France International at Twickenham Stadium as part of the onsite England 2015 team.

The match was used as a test event for the operations for the 2015 World Cup and it allowed the venue team the opportunity  to practise the tournament time processes which aren’t normally in place at Twickenham.

For this particular match I was working with Transport team at their shuttle bus load zones – an area I have never in worked before so it was good to get a taste of a new department and learn their operations. I have to admit that even after only 1 event day I have huge respect for the people who work in Transport, it's by no means an easy task!!

Overall it was a great day –and not just because England won! The team left with lots of learning’s for the 2015 World Cup which is shaping up to be an amazing event!

The calm before the storm!

Your bus team for the day!

Rio 2016, 1 year to go

This week marked 1 year until the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. I can’t believe it’s been 3 years since London 2012, it feels like only yesterday we were all watching the opening ceremony!

The Olympics is without a doubt the biggest and best event on earth. No matter what country you are from or whether or not you are a sports fan there is something special about seeing the whole world come together to celebrate greatness.

There has been a lot of bad press surrounding the 2016 Olympics but I am still optimistic that the event will be a success. Not only are there athletes working around the clock but there are thousands of dedicated event staff putting blood sweat and tears into making sure the event lives up to the standard of an Olympic Games. I think the venues will be amazing and I am sure Brazil will put on a spectacular opening ceremony, I am hoping for carnivals and Brazilian dancing!

I am so excited to see what is happening this time next year and to watch as athletes create the iconic moments that will be replayed for years to come. I just missed out on working at London 2012 as I was still at University, so the chance to work on an Olympic Games is a big dream of mine and hopefully one day I will get to be part of a team that creates history.

*Note* -  since writing this blog there has been an increasing issue in South America with the Zika Virus, a mosquito transmitted disease. If you are planning to travel to the Olympics in Rio 2026 or just to South America please read the attached article before you go (http://www.cdc.gov/zika/) 

(photo cred twitter.com/Rio2016_en)

                                                                     

Ibiza 2015!

Last week I had some time off work and used it wisely.. by spending a week partying in Ibiza with my friends!

Hardly a relaxing holiday but one which everyone has to do at some point in their life (or a few times if you are like me)! Sleeping all day and out all night is not for everyone but I have been to Ibiza before and always have a great time -it’s definitely a holiday to remember. I got to see some amazing artists/DJ’s and was also lucky enough to get tickets to the Radio 1 Ibiza Weekend, hosted by Annie Mac with sets from Disclosure and Calvin Harris to name a few.

I attended some amazing events in iconic Ibiza venues – Ibiza Rocks, Ushuaia and Amnesia being highlights. I stayed in San Antonio so getting to the big clubs was a bit of a trek however there are always plenty of buses running to the venues and it’s easy enough to get a taxi which aren’t too expensive if there are 3 or 4 people sharing.

My favourite event of the week had to be Rudimental at Ibiza Rocks, where there was a special appearance by ‘everyone’s favourite ginger’ Mr Ed Sheeran.  Having listened to dance music every day it was refreshing to actually see an act who had instruments, singers and weren’t stuck behind a mixing deck the entire time! They certainly know how to put on a good show and the crowd were insane.

 Other highlights include a free gig by Glaswegian band Prides at Ibiza Rocks café, Sub Focus and Chase and Status in Amnesia and of course a few nights out in the legendary West End. A couple of my friends also went to Café Mambo where they watched Grimmy do his Radio 1 show live from the beach. The only other thing I sat out of was the Pukka Up boat party – the sea, alcohol and my stomach are not a good combination but I heard it was a good day.

It wouldn't be a holiday in the Mediterranean without a classic sunset and if there's something Ibiza does well it's a sunset. Below was one  taken on the beach outside Cafe Mambo, a type of 'calm before the storm' if you will, where party-goers come together to appreciate mother nature! Olympic Holidays are running a competition to find the perfect Med sunset on their website - but I think you'll agree that this one is tough to beat, especially when shot on an iPhone!!

Overall I had an amazing time in Ibiza – it would be hard not too! I definitely recommend a trip over there, though a few days would probably be enough – 1 week was a bit too much for me!! The big clubs tend to be expensive but if you can plan or purchase tickets in advance you should be able to manage your money. 

I’m not sure if I will return to Ibiza any time soon but I definitely recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a memorable and exciting summer.

To watch a few clips from my trip check out my Youtube video here.

 

Ed Sheeran and Rudimental at Ibiza Rocks

Rudimental