People, Power, Potential with Shonali Devereaux

Short for time? Scroll to the bottom to discover the key takeaways. 

With IBTM World in Barcelona just around the corner, we’re excited to announce Shonali Devereaux as the new host for season two of New in Events, a podcast from IBTM.

Shonali brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for the events industry. In this special bonus episode, she joins Mike Fletcher to discuss her career, her role as a lecturer and mentor, and the resilience she’s built through personal and professional challenges.

With 30 years of experience, Shonali has contributed to some of the world’s most high-profile events, including the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. She has held senior leadership roles for over 20 years and served on boards such as the Tourism Alliance, making her an influential figure in the events world.

Now CEO of the UK’s Meetings Industry Association (MIA) (a role she’ll commence after IBTM World 2024), Shonali also lectures at the University of Hertfordshire and mentors through Fast Forward 15, a UK programme supporting women in the events industry.

For Shonali, providing the next generation with practical, hands-on experience is key. "We’ve just recently reviewed our degree programme and one of the things we’re really hot on is having that practical experience," she explains. 

Her own journey into the events world began in Hong Kong, where she grew up. “My mum was always organising something…] I was always running around her, scooping up all the logistics," she recalls.

After returning to the UK to study architecture, Shonali quickly realised her true passion was in event management. “When I started off on a career path, I remember thinking I am a jack of all trades - how does that manifest in the workplace? And actually, I've made my own path by being involved in lots of things that excite me, and that's been really nice to do,” she says.           

“You can forge your own path in this industry, depending on what interests you the most,” she reflects.

Her personal journey has also been shaped by resilience. During the pandemic, Shonali faced a battle with cancer, but her practice of daily gratitude helped her stay positive. "One of the hardest things when we're going through tough times is to express gratitude," she says. "The more you do it, the more it becomes a practice, and the more resilient you become."

Looking forward, she says the theme of this year’s IBTM World – People, Power, Potential – sings to her soul. “We should be looking to people who inspire us. We should be looking to ignite the potential of new people in the industry, the potential of conversations and connections and the power that gives us to really take events into the future,” she enthuses. 

As she takes the reins for season two of New in Events, Shonali looks forward to sharing what makes the sector so special. "I think it’s the best industry in the world. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing the fruition of your incredible hard work come together and manifest as a physical, tangible thing.”

New in Events is available to download wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to follow the podcast so new episodes are automatically downloaded to your device, and if you’re enjoying what you hear, why not share it with other events professionals or anyone looking to build a career in the industry?

Key takeaways

• Seasoned events professional, lecturer, mentor, and public speaker Shonali Devereaux is the new host for season two of the New in Events podcast.

• She is passionate about equipping the next generation of professionals with valuable, hands-on experience.

• She believes the events sector offers a wealth of opportunities, giving individuals the opportunity to carve their own path based on their interests and strengths.

• Daily gratitude played a key role in helping her stay positive during her battle with cancer.

• Shonali and Mike will be at IBTM World in Barcelona, where they’ll be recording interviews for season two of the podcast. Hit follow and new episodes will start dropping early in the New Year. 
   

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