Name: Edwina Wordsworth
Title: Sponsorship Specialist
Number of years with Sold Out Event: 1 year, however I have worked with the team at Sold Out since 2013 when we delivered the Nutri-Grain Ironman Series together.
Describe yourself in three words.
Outgoing (loves meeting new people and a chat)
Adventurous (not afraid to try new things)
Passionate (about everything I do professionally and personally)
What does your role at Sold Out Events entail?
My role at Sold Out Events is very multifaceted. I focus on “special projects” within the business, which can be anything from new business development to sponsorship acquisition/servicing for Sold Out owned events. My current focus is the Cronulla Spring Festival, which Sold Out will deliver in September, and a company rebrand to celebrate Sold Out’s 25th anniversary.
What do you like most about your job and what do you like the least?
I love the fact that no day is the same. The events industry keeps you on your toes! You need to be open to constantly learning to keep up with industry trends and be willing to live out of a suitcase as you are often travelling to new destinations to deliver an event.
How did you get started in the events industry?
I moved to London in my early 20s and was keen to get into the events industry. I had very little experience and was prepared to do anything to get my foot in the door so when I was offered a job as a PA in a global motorsport company “A1 Grand Prix World Cup of motorsport” I jumped at the chance. After six months I was promoted to a travel and events role and started travelling to all the events around the world. Every opportunity I have had since has come about because of personal connections I’ve made with industry contacts, and I have been very fortunate to travel and work all over the world.
Do you travel for my job?
Yes – not a much these days but a lot in the past
If yes, where has been your favourite location and why? I’ve been very fortunate and lived in some amazing places during my career including Rio de Janeiro, New Delhi, Vancouver, London and Zurich. Vancouver and Zurich have since become my top 2 favourite cities, as they are incredible places to live with both the mountains and water at your fingertips.
What has been your favourite event/activation to work on and why?
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Games. Skiing is a passion of mine and to work on the Olympic Games was always a dream, so I was thrilled when I could combine my love for skiing with work in such an amazing location.
What is something about your job that most people wouldn’t know?
My current role is very multifaceted and whilst I’m not impartial to a pair of heels and a nice business lunch to pitch an idea to a new client, (who doesn’t like business lunches?!) I love it even more when I can be outdoors and help deliver the actual execution of an event onsite.
What is the most unusual thing you’ve seen or done while working on an event/activation?
Working on preparations for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games in India was a complete eye opener in itself. That city is both incredibly amazing and horrifying at the same time. Some of the things I saw there will forever remind me how fortunate we are with our quality of life here in Australia.
Have you ever met a famous person while working on an event/activation?
During the Vancouver Winter Olympics I met a lot of famous people, however the person that stands out most is Prince Albert of Monaco. He was incredibly friendly, low maintenance and we had quite a few laughs together during the Games. Next on the list to meet is Prince Harry and Meghan Markel!
If you could swap jobs with anyone else in the company for one day, it would be _______.
I love what I do and the fact that my role interacts with all the people and all parts of the business. I have a pretty good understanding of everyone’s roles so I’m not sure the Team would want me to swap with them as I’m definitely not as handy on the tools, nor do I have any idea how to drive a forklift!
If you had to pick a movie title to describe your job, it would be……
“Up in the Air” – purely based on the actual title. There have been times in my career when I have felt like I’ve spent more time in airport lounges and on airplanes than at home.
Do you have a party trick? What is it?
Ha… I wish! I’ve never been great with jokes or tricks. Although I have often been described as the ‘life of the party’, which really just involves me being myself. I love to socialise, have fun and can be found on the dance floor if the music is good.
