Georgia McCann, Handmade Parties & Events
What is your role at Trader House, what does this involve?
As the Events Operations Manager for Handmade Parties and Events, I am responsible for running all the events that we produce for our clients – be these private events, corporate events, pop-ups and activations or weddings. My role involves liaising with our event sales team to take an event from idea through to execution in a practical sense – behind the scenes, that’s logistics and planning, rostering, working with the kitchen and stock ordering and control. Front of house I am responsible for running the event – being the point of contact for the host, making sure we are organised and deliver great service, leading the team from start to finish.
What has been your journey in hospitality prior to joining Trader House?
For the decade prior to joining Handmade, I worked for the Marriner Group managing the events in the Plaza Ballroom, at the Regent Theatre and at The Forum. I completed a degree in politics and Spanish but I kept getting great opportunities at Marriner Group. I found something I was very good at and got promoted. As my degree was fairly obscure and I never wanted to work in politics, hospitality presented a career path that I really enjoyed and decided to pursue.
What do you like to do when you're not at work?
I’m quite a home body because my job requires so much interaction. I love to cook. Running and yoga keep me fit for the physical demands of the jobs. And of course, I love going to restaurants.
Are there any women in hospitality (or other industries) that have inspired you and/or mentored you?
There are so many. I look mainly to my inner circle for inspiration. My mum is the toughest but gentlest person I know. She is constantly doing things that make her happy. She has so many hobbies and that’s always been the case, even when she had young kids. In the wider world, I have found great inspiration from Brene Brown. Everything she says resonates with me and has given me countless tools to be a better friend, partner and leader.
If you could give one piece of advice for women thinking of embarking on a career in hospitality what would that be?
‘Stand your ground – be authentic – stick up for yourself. Tap the resource of other women – we are one another’s greatest asset.’
What’s next for you in your career and what are your long-term aspirations?
I am really excited to continue to grow Handmade – it is simultaneously challenging and an opportunity. I look at the established venues within Trader House and sometimes think it would be so much easier to work in one of them as so much is already established, but I love events and feel lucky to be able to work on something that I can grow with.
Longer term, I’d like to move into more of a strategic role that oversees events operations rather than working so intensely within them. Whenever I spend time with the wider Trader House group, anything collaborative, I really enjoy it. Especially the women. It makes me feel so passionate and excited – I have to pinch myself.
