SHINE’ing the Spotlight on… Stacey Buckley

August 11, 2020

Shine Business Women

awards judge, event management, eventx, eventx creative, stacey buckley

Member Stories

0

Stacey is pioneering the way for females in the AV and technical industry, being only one of a handful of women in Australia to own an audio visual and production company. Director and Co-Owner of eventX, an award winning production company providing technical and creative services for the business events community.

Stacey’s 20+ years in the event arena started back in 1999 working with a global event technology company and most recently, collaborating with other industry colleagues to create eventX.

During her career, Stacey has been involved in the design and production of hundreds of business and community events delivering production for numerous high profile national and international clients. Stacey has built a strong reputation for event production management within the Queensland events community and has developed many key business relationships during her career. Stacey is widely recognised for her holistic approach to event production including design, creative, technical and digital solutions. This is Stacey’s 3rd year as a Judge for the prestigious Event Awards and she also volunteers her time to a working group providing strategic advice to the Sunshine Coast Events Board and reviewing opportunities that support the regions investment in major events.

 

You’ve worked in events for a number of years – what made you decide to pursue this career? 

Over 21 years now… I fell in to events by pure chance.Wanting to leave my hometown of Gympie for the big smoke of Brisbane, I naively applied for a role with Staging Connections, with no experience or knowledge of anything remotely related to the events industry.

Through the years they evolved to become a major player in the event production industry and I was hooked, It’s said Event Management is one of the most stressful careers and at times I’ve questioned my career choice but the adrenaline and rush you get just before doors open is all worth it and keeps me coming back for more.

Last year I took a leap of faith and along with three other partners, created eventX, a Sunshine Coast based event production company.

Tell us about some of the highs and challenges you have faced in different areas… 
I’ve been blessed with a career filled with so many highs but a recent stand out was eventX winning the Meeting and Events Australia Awards for Queensland Special Event of the Year.  This was in recognition for a world first event we designed and delivered for Brisbane Airport on their brand new international runway.  It really put a feather in our cap for a relatively new company.With the highs come the lows and by far the greatest challenge my business now faces is COVID19. Understandably, the restrictions put in place to protect us all, have devastated all facets of the events industry.  Sadly, I have witnessed big and small companies standing employees down and one too many respected colleagues leave the industry.  There is some optimism that 2021 will be back bigger and we’ll be waiting and ready!

What traits and qualities do you admire in a leader?
A problem solver gets a big tick from me. I admire people who see the bigger picture and acknowledge we are all heading to the same goal, so let’s get it done!  I’m a huge team player, much to the annoyance to my colleagues – one in, all in! One of my first mentors within the events industry has now become my business partner… I learnt from one of the best!

How important is networking and contribution back to your community as an events manager? 
When I relocated to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane in 2016, I had a strong desire to give back to the community that welcomed me with open arms.  I was accepted into the Sunshine Coast Events Board Working Group where I volunteer my time to provide strategic advice to the Sunshine Coast Events Board to review opportunities that support the regions investment in major events.
Being a ‘newcomer’, I take every opportunity I can to attend industry events to meet like-minded people.  The experience and knowledge within the events industry on the Sunshine Coast blows me away.  The passion and commitment of the people to the region is beyond measure and I’m thrilled I can be a part of it.
You are heavily involved in the Australian Event Awards – what does this entail and how does this benefit your business?
This will be my third year as a judge for these prestigious industry awards and just recently I was honoured to be nominated as one of four lead judges for the 2020 awards.  As a lead judge, I’m responsible for overseeing the first-round judging process and recommending to the Co-Chairs a National Winner within the Event Support Services Categories.I’ve tended to shy away and stay out of the limelight over the years – after all, my industry is ‘back of house’ – we wear black for a reason!   Now a director of a local company, I’m slowly learning to stand a bit taller in the spotlight and speak of the good things we do.  Many of my industry peers and clients would be surprised to hear of the awards, the Events Board commitments, and Lead Judge recognition however I am slowly learning to leverage these accomplishments to strengthen the business.

And what’s next on the agenda for Stacey Buckley?

I wish I could say… a cure for COVID19!  Can I come back to you on this in 2021???

Most interesting person that you have met? 
I’ve been lucky enough to work with high profile identities including Richard Branson, John Howard and Julia Gillard but I find the most interesting people are those who have lived a life full of travel. I never tire of a good travel yarn to faraway places.

Where is the best place that you have travelled to and why?
The Middle East – Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, I fell in love with the food, the people and the culture.

Favourite book and why? 

I really should read more, however I do love a good biography – the truth is far more interesting than any fiction.

 

To find out more about Stacey and EventX head to:

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-buckley-632a4335/

Facebook
@eventxcreative

 

 

Post by Shine Business Women