EN30under30专访：CloserStill Media高级营销主管Tom Moran

Over the course of the EN 30underThirty programme, Exhibition News will be speaking to members of the programme about their professional journey and the causes they’re championing to shape a more inclusive, forward-thinking industry.

This week we meet, Tom Moran, senior marketing executive at CloserStill Media.

What made you want to get involved in the industry and why?

My first experience of organising an event was in summer 2021, after COVID-19 restrictions had eased. I was living in Toulouse and had just finished university. At the time, I played in a band with some friends, and we were invited to perform at a small independent festival.

Due to the size of the event, we also volunteered for a couple of days to help set up the stage, sound system and bar area. I had an amazing time and I remember thinking that event organising was something I could see myself doing for a living, although I didn’t give it much more thought at the time…

That changed when I heard about CloserStill Media’s graduate internship, which takes place each summer.

What is the first career highlight that comes to mind?

I would say it was being on-site at my first event, The Pharmacy Show, in 2022. Seeing the things I had worked on over the previous few months – and had only ever viewed on a computer screen – come to life in a physical space and be used by attendees was an incredible feeling.

What have you learned about yourself since entering the events world?

I think I’ve come to realise that I’m far more capable than I initially thought. I was quite shy at the start of my career and didn’t always feel confident sharing my opinions on marketing campaigns or design, for example.

Now, more than four years after I started, I’ve learned through experience, as well as from some amazing mentors and colleagues, that some things are worth vocalising or defending when I genuinely believe they will benefit our event.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice when starting out in events, what would it be?

Stop hesitating so much, being too hard on yourself, or asking what others think. Just give it a go and do your best. You may (and will) make mistakes, but you’ll learn and grow from them!

How important are schemes such as EN30under30 and do you believe the industry does enough to support young professionals?

I genuinely believe that these schemes are an incredible opportunity for new and young professionals in the industry to gain recognition and share fresh perspectives on areas that may not have been considered before. A fresh pair of eyes is always a good thing to have!

How do you see the events industry changing over the next five years, and how do you want to be part of that change?

The obvious elephant in the room is AI. For better or worse, it’s here to stay, and probably isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Although I’m not its biggest fan, I hope it will be used ethically and, more importantly, that we don’t lose the human touch that makes events so special.

What is an issue or topic within the industry that you think is important and want to champion? Can you explain a bit about it?

Building on my previous answer, I think it’s really important that events retain their human touch in an increasingly digital landscape.

We can use the latest digital tools and technology to streamline the event experience, but at the end of the day, we’re all human and still crave meaningful interaction. That’s what makes events like ours so special.

Why is this particular issue or topic important to you?

Although I’m in my mid-twenties and have grown up with technology all my life, I think deep down at heart I’m more of a 70-year-old man with a cardigan! We’ve got so much information available at our fingertips 24/7 which can be great, but in my opinion, you can’t beat the real-world face to face experiences or conversations.

What do you plan to do to continue to champion the topic?

In my particular department, I’d like to make my marketing campaigns more human, more personal, and more connected. We don’t just want to attract attendees but also deepen loyalty, strengthen relationships, and create real value for them.

What can the industry itself do to better champion this topic?

I’d say use AI or new technology where it actually has a use. Don’t try to force it on things that don’t necessarily need it.

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