Richard Askintowicz, Operations Director, USA

To try to explain the magic of working in operations I will always go back to the first New York Comic Con (NYCC) post-Covid.  The Javits Center required every individual that stepped foot in the venue to show proof of vaccination.  The challenge was how to verify over 150,000 people in a timely manner, in the heart of New York City, without bringing the area  surrounding the venue to a grinding halt. After weeks of searching, and with less than a month to the event, we stumbled across a vacant lot near the Javits Center.  It was in terrible shape, overgrown, with garbage everywhere – but unbeknownst to us, it was owned by the Javits. We immediately ran back to the venue and, on the spot, agreed a plan to vet the vaccination status of every NYCC attendee rapidly and accurately.  Colleagues from across RX US, led by our magnificent ops team, set to work clearing and transforming the lot, while others worked with the CLEAR app to upload vaccination credentials and create a world-wide vaccination verification document. This transformation was a huge success garnering significant media coverage and was replicated by other events at the time including the New York City Marathon. As to what I love most about my job, it’s the people I work with. We work many hours and travel so much together that we are more like family.

Antoine de Lestanville, Operations Manager, France

There are many things I love about my role as Operations Manager but finding innovative ways to make our events more sustainable, reduce our carbon footprint, and move towards zero waste is a mission that particularly motivates me, giving meaning to my work. For Renodays, Paris, a new trade fair dedicated to energy renovation in housing which we staged for the first time in September, our top priority was to set up an event totally focused on eco-responsibility. We offered a single eco-designed stand formula for all exhibitors, eliminating the use of carpets and partition coverings. We also favoured cardboard signage and used raw wood as well as rental materials for all the decorations and fittings. No single-use materials were allowed on the show site. In terms of catering, we offered more than 3,000 meals prepared on site, minimizing waste and opting for mainly vegetarian options. Our efforts were highly appreciated by our exhibitors and visitors, who gave Renodays a very high NPS (Net Promoter Score). I am extremely proud of the event format which combined aesthetics and environmental responsibility in a remarkable way and represents one of the best examples of what RX can do in terms of sustainability.

Lily Nutting, Operations Manager, Australia

I thrive off the energy and the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of the events industry. My role is very broad, from the customer journey and in-depth planning of the event schedules (including content, features, sponsorship and supporting signage and digital displays) to networking with our suppliers and venues to ensure the execution meets the high standards we set. Although our team is small, it is also mighty! Most have been with RX Australia in operations for a very long time and sometimes it feels like we are a family more than a team, which is a testament to the love we share for the industry and the role. Some of my best memories are when we are all together onsite all doing what we love – even when there are speed bumps along the way. We share the same values and priorities, always testing ourselves to elevate the customer experience. I’m proud that RX leads the way for sustainable events in Australia, where our operations and logistics team are creating the blueprint, not only for organisers, but for contractors, suppliers, venues, and exhibitors. We relish their positive feedback, and the constructive and complimentary dialogue we have with them – especially when they tell us that when RX operations are in charge their job is much easier!