Hong Kong-based JLEM’s senior event officer, Johnny Tse, now understands the importance of tasks assigned to him when he was a trainee.
How did you begin your career in events?
I began working along the front lines of hospitality after I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in tourism. Prior to graduation, I did a three-month internship at Jenny Lie Event Management (now called JLEM) where I assisted the event officer with tasks such as searching for potential quality suppliers, making charts and graphics, and inputting data. After graduation, I returned to JLEM and am now a senior event officer. My responsibilities include administrative work as well as assisting management with event operations duties such as planning, liaising with vendors and clients, and on-site support. While there are more responsibilities now, I understand how important the duties of a trainee truly are.
What do you like about working in events?
I like working in the events industry because there are things you pick up quickly, such as learning to be independent. I learn new things every day, and it is an important part of my personal development. Networking also helps improve my market knowledge and enhances my ability to handle daily tasks in life.
What are some challenges that you face as a senior event officer? Are any specific to your age?
When I was a trainee, I felt my tasks were considered minor and wouldn’t affect the company’s performance. When I came back to JLEM, my responsibilities were assigned to me and there was still room for mistakes. After learning the ropes for two years and subsequently promoted to senior event officer two years later (last October), I am learning how to think further ahead, make important and tactful decisions that will not compromise any event executions but ensure the different suppliers and partners are assigned the right tasks at the right time.
What do you think the events industry in Hong Kong needs that it currently lacks?
- New blood from Generation Y
The demand for events in Hong Kong and Macau has been growing, but a lot of great event planners have changed industries as the MICE industry may sometimes require overtime. There is a need for the government to promote MICE to Generation Y to try attract new blood in the market.
- Good service quality
Delivering good quality and service to all clients is a fundamental principle of MICE, which helps increase job satisfaction and motivation among service providers. This leads to greater sustainability of services
FROM THE MANAGER
Johnny is a very special and mature Generation Y employee. The maturity of young employees helps them remain motivated even when things go wrong, and be willing to shoulder full responsibility to handle anything that’s required to make events successful.
It’s often appreciated when stronger employees dare take on challenges, and his flexibility and concern for others is a very special trait that I don’t often see in our industry.
On Generation Y:
Be flexible and try to find reasons behind something that has to be done, rather than simply doing it because it was instructed. By thinking about the reason behind the job, you’ll understand the business more.
JENNY LIE
GENERAL MANAGER OF JLEM
