INSPIRATION SESSION 7

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How to Get What You Want
by Saying What You Mean

This is part of our series of monthly inspirational talks curated for Elevate by our People and Culture partners Zoe Tuffs from Times x10, Nic Neal from Nic Neal Consultancy and our Learning Partner Matt Bolton-Alarcón of Special Sauce Training.

This session was expertly delivered by Zoe and Nic—these two don’t just chalk and talk! Entitled "How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean," the session was based on insights from the brilliant book Radical Candor by Kim Scott. Scott teaches that Radical Candor is the sweet spot where feedback is helpful, constructive, and comes from a place of care and sincerity.

Through practical tips, real-life examples, and personal stories, we learned that feedback helps uncover blind spots, align intent with impact, and increase self- awareness – essential for personal and professional growth. Who doesn't want more of that?!

DOWNLOAD ZOE AND NIC’S NOTES AND TAKEAWAYS

Listen to Zoe and Nic’s session on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or YouTube

 
 

This podcast was recorded at Protein Studios in Shoreditch with a live audience.

Our sound and mix engineer is Matteo Magariello and our producer is Peter Kerwood.


About Elevate

Elevate is a pioneering free mentoring programme that has been designed with a specific goal in mind – to inspire, inform and empower people within the event industry.

Elevate operates thanks to the generosity of our Partners; Cvent, Jack Morton Worldwide, Live Union, Powwow Events, Protein STUDIOS (venue partner), PSP, The Production Department, We Are Collider, CastleBell, SPECIAL SAUCE TRAINING LTD (training partner) Times Ten Coaching and Nic Neal (people and culture partners).

Together, we’re changing lives, careers and the events industry for the better. 

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INSPIRATION SESSION 8

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How to engineer more aha moments

Tips and tricks to cultivate creativity

This is one of our series of inspirational talks hosted and curated by our friend Matt Bolton-Alarcón of Special Sauce Training.

Matt's topic for this sessions is ‘how to engineer more aha moments’.

When and where do great ideas come to you? Matt says people all over the world say the same thing ‘when I least expect it’... which implies you can’t really control it.

He thinks you can. So in this podcast he gives a set of very useful tips and tricks to help great ideas pop into your head more often.

DOWNLOAD MATT’S NOTES AND TAKEAWAYS

Listen to Matt’s session on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or YouTube

 
 

This podcast was recorded at Protein Studios in Shoreditch with a live audience.

Our sound and mix engineer is Matteo Magariello and our producer is Peter Kerwood.


About Elevate

Elevate is a pioneering free mentoring programme that has been designed with a specific goal in mind – to inspire, inform and empower people within the event industry.

Elevate operates thanks to the generosity of our Partners; Cvent, Jack Morton Worldwide, Live Union, Powwow Events, Protein STUDIOS (venue partner), PSP, The Production Department, We Are Collider, CastleBell, SPECIAL SAUCE TRAINING LTD (training partner) Times Ten Coaching and Nic Neal (people and culture partners).

Together, we’re changing lives, careers and the events industry for the better. 

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INSPIRATION SESSION 9

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Say Goodbye to boring, predictable pitches

CREATIVE TECHNIQUES TO TRANSFORM YOUR DELIVERY

This is one of our series of inspirational talks hosted and curated by our friend Matt Bolton-Alarcón of Special Sauce Training.

Matt's topic for this sessions is 'Say Goodbye to Boring, Predictable Pitches’. Matt shares creative techniques to transform your delivery.

This talk is NOT about how to deliver a creative pitch but IS about how to be more creative in the way you pitch.

DOWNLOAD MATT’S NOTES AND TAKEAWAYS

Listen to Matt’s session on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or YouTube

 
 

This podcast was recorded at Protein Studios in Shoreditch with a live audience.

Our sound and mix engineer is Matteo Magariello and our producer is Peter Kerwood.


About Elevate

Elevate is a pioneering free mentoring programme that has been designed with a specific goal in mind – to inspire, inform and empower people within the event industry.

Elevate operates thanks to the generosity of our Partners; Cvent, Jack Morton Worldwide, Live Union, Powwow Events, Protein STUDIOS (venue partner), PSP, The Production Department, We Are Collider, CastleBell, SPECIAL SAUCE TRAINING LTD (training partner) Times Ten Coaching and Nic Neal (people and culture partners).

Together, we’re changing lives, careers and the events industry for the better. 

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INSPIRATION SESSION 10

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creative thinking:

the world’s 2nd most demanded skill

This is one of our series of inspirational talks hosted and curated by our friend Matt Bolton-Alarcón of Special Sauce Training.

Matt's topic for this sessions is 'Creative Thinking – The world's 2nd most demanded skill’. Matt highlighted that creative thinking involves both expansive (imaginative) and reductive (expertise-based) thinking, and shared insights from a NASA study showing that 98% of 5-8-year-olds are creative geniuses, compared to only 2% of adults.

He stressed the importance of mindset, recognizing different thinking times (morning larks, night owls), and also warned against living on autopilot, emphasising the need for deliberate positivity and playfulness in creative processes.

DOWNLOAD MATT’S NOTES AND TAKEAWAYS

Listen to Matt’s session on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or YouTube

 
 

This podcast was recorded at Protein Studios in Shoreditch with a live audience.

Our sound and mix engineer is Matteo Magariello and our producer is Peter Kerwood.


About Elevate

Elevate is a pioneering free mentoring programme that has been designed with a specific goal in mind – to inspire, inform and empower people within the event industry.

Elevate operates thanks to the generosity of our Partners; Cvent, Jack Morton Worldwide, Live Union, Powwow Events, Protein STUDIOS (venue partner), PSP, The Production Department, We Are Collider, CastleBell, SPECIAL SAUCE TRAINING LTD (training partner) Times Ten Coaching and Nic Neal (people and culture partners).

Together, we’re changing lives, careers and the events industry for the better. 

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INSPIRATION SESSION 11

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Unlock Your Confidence Code:

Decode and own the
confidence that fuels your career

This is one of our series of inspirational talks specially created for Elevate by talent leadership coach Zoe Tuffs from Times Ten Coaching, along with people and culture strategy consultant, Nic Neal.

In this session, Zoe and Nic will help you decode confidence – exploring what it truly means, how to define it for yourself, and, most importantly, how to develop it as a skill to boost your career. Gain clarity, tools, and the belief to step up, speak out, and own your place at the table. Because confidence isn’t just something you have, it’s something you create!

What You’ll Learn from Zoe and Nic’s talk:

  • Discover your unique Confidence Code and identify the moments where your confidence shines and where it alludes you

  • Overcome confidence blockers like imposter syndrome, fear of failure, or over- comparison

  • Practical tools to build self-awareness, shift your mindset, and develop lasting confidence

  • Learn how to align confidence with your career goals to unlock professional growth

  • Gain the daily habits and techniques to enhance self-assurance, elevate your voice, and take control of your career

DOWNLOAD ZOE AND NIC’S NOTES AND TAKEAWAYS

Listen to Zoe and Nic’s session on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or YouTube

 
 

This podcast was recorded at Protein Studios in Shoreditch with a live audience.

Our sound and mix engineer is Matteo Magariello and our producer is Peter Kerwood.


About Elevate

Elevate is a pioneering free mentoring programme that has been designed with a specific goal in mind – to inspire, inform and empower people within the event industry.

Elevate operates thanks to the generosity of our Partners; Cvent, Jack Morton Worldwide, Live Union, Powwow Events, Protein STUDIOS (venue partner), PSP, The Production Department, We Are Collider, CastleBell, SPECIAL SAUCE TRAINING LTD (training partner) Times Ten Coaching and Nic Neal (people and culture partners).

Together, we’re changing lives, careers and the events industry for the better. 

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INSPIRATION SESSION 12

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Be a better creative problem solver:

Generate more options every day

This is part of our series of talks curated especially for Elevate by Matt Bolton-Alarcón from Special Sauce Training. In this insight-packed session, Matt will guide you to become a more effective creative problem solver. Whether you're facing a complex business challenge or simply aiming to make better decisions more quickly, this talk will transform the way you think. Through engaging stories, humour, and practical techniques, Matt helps you cut through jargon, identify the real problem, and generate impactful, actionable ideas, offering tangible takeaways you can adopt, adapt and apply.

What you'll learn in Matt’s talk:

• Understand the true power of creative problem solving and why falling in love with the problem (not the solution) is the secret to innovation

• Learn how to use Matt's "Funnel of Focus" to reframe challenges and uncover real opportunities

• Practice the art of re-articulating problems, turning technical briefs into human language that sparks better ideas

• Discover the "To Think About List" method to focus your creativity and invite ideas from unexpected places

• Leave with practical tools and techniques you can use immediately

DOWNLOAD MATT’S NOTES AND TAKEAWAYS

Listen to Matt’s session on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or YouTube

 
 

This podcast was recorded at Protein Studios in Shoreditch with a live audience.

Our sound and mix engineer is Matteo Magariello and our producer is Peter Kerwood.


About Elevate

Elevate is a pioneering free mentoring programme that has been designed with a specific goal in mind – to inspire, inform and empower people within the event industry.

Elevate operates thanks to the generosity of our Partners; Cvent, Jack Morton Worldwide, Live Union, Powwow Events, Protein STUDIOS (venue partner), PSP, The Production Department, We Are Collider, CastleBell, SPECIAL SAUCE TRAINING LTD (training partner) Times Ten Coaching and Nic Neal (people and culture partners).

Together, we’re changing lives, careers and the events industry for the better. 

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INSPIRATION SESSION 13

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Make Them Lean In:

Pitching techniques that really work

This is one of our series of talks created especially for Elevate, featuring creative training specialist Matt Bolton-Alarcón from Special Sauce Training.

In this engaging, insight-packed session, Matt will guide you through a more creative, confident approach to pitching. Whether you're presenting to clients, colleagues, or stakeholders, this talk will help you move beyond slide decks and connect through emotion, clarity, and powerful storytelling. Drawing on real examples from the advertising world and beyond, Matt shows how small changes in approach can make a big difference to how your ideas land. Through practical tools, clear frameworks, and relatable stories, you’ll learn how to shape a pitch that cuts through, connects, and compels.

What you’ll learn in Matt’s talk:

  • How to get attention from the very start

  • The process of preparing for a pitch

  • Understanding your audience and where you want to take them

  • The art of storytelling

  • Blending your communication styles to better engage everybody

DOWNLOAD MATT’S NOTES AND TAKEAWAYS

Listen to Matt’s session on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or YouTube

 
 

This podcast was recorded at Protein Studios in Shoreditch with a live audience.

Our sound and mix engineer is Matteo Magariello and our producer is Peter Kerwood.


About Elevate

Elevate is a pioneering free mentoring programme that has been designed with a specific goal in mind – to inspire, inform and empower people within the event industry.

Elevate operates thanks to the generosity of our Partners; Cvent, Jack Morton Worldwide, Live Union, Powwow Events, Protein STUDIOS (venue partner), PSP, The Production Department, We Are Collider, CastleBell, SPECIAL SAUCE TRAINING LTD (training partner) Times Ten Coaching and Nic Neal (people and culture partners).

Together, we’re changing lives, careers and the events industry for the better. 

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INSPIRATION SESSION 14

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Unfiltered: The Return of Real:

Why the most powerful experiences now happen offline

We have two inspiring guest speakers delivering two talks for you in this episode. Lisa James, Founder of The Wentworth Collective and Louisa O’Connor, Founder and Managing Director of Seen Presents. Together, they make a compelling case for embracing slower, messier, more human offline experiences in a world that often prioritises speed, polish and digital reach.

What you will learn in Lisa’s talk:

  • What collective effervescence is and how it creates unforgettable emotionally charged moments of connection

  • Why presence matters more than perfection in creating meaningful live experiences

  • How to design events that spark “aliveness” and leave people feeling fully awake, aware and engaged

  • Practical ways to lead with humanity and use technology to enhance, not replace, human connection

What you will learn in Louisa’s talk:

  • Why emotion is the most powerful driver of brand recall

  • How to design experiences that prioritise memory over media

  • How to use storytelling to make simple ideas deeply impactful

  • Why brand experiences deserve a place at the top of the marketing funnel

DOWNLOAD LOUISA AND LISA’s NOTES AND TAKEAWAYS

Listen to Louisa and Lisa’s session on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or YouTube

 
 

This podcast was recorded at Protein Studios in Shoreditch with a live audience.

Our sound and mix engineer is Matteo Magariello and our producer is Peter Kerwood.


About Elevate

Elevate is a pioneering free mentoring programme that has been designed with a specific goal in mind – to inspire, inform and empower people within the event industry.

Elevate operates thanks to the generosity of our Partners; Cvent, Jack Morton Worldwide, Live Union, Powwow Events, Protein STUDIOS (venue partner), PSP, The Production Department, We Are Collider, CastleBell, SPECIAL SAUCE TRAINING LTD (training partner) Times Ten Coaching and Nic Neal (people and culture partners).

Together, we’re changing lives, careers and the events industry for the better. 

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INSPIRATION SESSION 15

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Confident connections:

Networking that opens doors

For many people, networking sits somewhere between mildly uncomfortable and downright terrifying. The thought of walking into a room full of strangers can trigger all sorts of self-doubt, and it is easy to retreat into polite but forgettable small talk. But at its heart, networking is simply meeting someone new and finding genuine points of connection.

Max Fellows, co-founder of Elevate and Allpoints the business growth and M&A specialists, believes that with the right mindset and a few tips and strategies, networking can be enjoyable, energising and hugely rewarding. The trick is to prepare with intention, show up with as much confidence as you can, and focus on building relationships that last.

In this practical session, Max will share how to navigate every stage of the networking process, from pre-event preparation to post-event follow-up, with less awkwardness and more authenticity.

What you'll learn from Max's talk:

  • How to set clear goals and prepare for any networking opportunity

  • Strategies for breaking the ice and starting conversations with ease

  • Tips for reading the room and finding your place in it

  • Ways to be memorable without forcing it

  • How to gracefully exit conversations and follow up effectively

DOWNLOAD MAX’S NOTES AND TAKEAWAYS

Listen to Max’s talk on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or YouTube

 
 

This podcast was recorded at Protein Studios in Shoreditch with a live audience.

Our sound and mix engineer is Matteo Magariello and our producer is Peter Kerwood.


About Elevate

Elevate is a pioneering free mentoring programme that has been designed with a specific goal in mind – to inspire, inform and empower people within the event industry.

Elevate operates thanks to the generosity of our Partners; Cvent, Jack Morton Worldwide, Live Union, Powwow Events, Protein STUDIOS (venue partner), PSP, The Production Department, We Are Collider, CastleBell, SPECIAL SAUCE TRAINING LTD (training partner), Times Ten Coaching, Nic Neal (people and culture partners).

Together, we’re changing lives, careers and the events industry for the better. 

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INSPIRATION SESSION 16

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The Value of Values:

Why what you stand for matters more than personal branding

Our personal values shape the way we show up, how we talk about ourselves and how others experience us. There's real power in understanding and articulating your values, not just as a tick-box exercise but as a way to build deeper self-awareness and more authentic leadership

In this talk, Zoe Tuffs, Founder of Times Ten Coaching and Emma Castle, Founder of Castlebell Recruitment challenge the concept of personal brand.

There's often a sense that to be visible, you need to be constantly posting on LinkedIn. But visibility isn't the same as value. Sometimes it's less about broadcasting and more about quietly owning your strengths and crucially, owning the impact you have on your colleagues and the industry you're part of.


What you'll learn from Zoe and Emma's talk:

  • Why values matter and how to handle value clashes

  • How to shortlist and clarify your non-negotiable values

  • The importance of creating a 'success manifesto' as a personal statement

  • How living your values can increase visibility, accelerate growth and deepen happiness

  • How to leverage your values to amplify your visibility at work

DOWNLOAD ZOE AND EMMA’S NOTES AND TAKEAWAYS

Listen to Zoe and Emma’s session on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or YouTube

 
 

This podcast was recorded at Protein Studios in Shoreditch with a live audience.

Our sound and mix engineer is Matteo Magariello and our producer is Peter Kerwood.


About Elevate

Elevate is a pioneering free mentoring programme that has been designed with a specific goal in mind – to inspire, inform and empower people within the event industry.

Elevate operates thanks to the generosity of our Partners; Cvent, Jack Morton Worldwide, Live Union, Powwow Events, Protein STUDIOS (venue partner), PSP, The Production Department, We Are Collider, CastleBell, SPECIAL SAUCE TRAINING LTD (training partner) Times Ten Coaching and Nic Neal (people and culture partners).

Together, we’re changing lives, careers and the events industry for the better. 

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Elevaters Knowledge Vault