In this episode, we’re joined by Chiara Meier-Wichmann, Operations Lead for Global Events at SAP, and Denise van den Outenaar, Manager Business Development at RAI Amsterdam.
Every major event at SAP starts with a PowerPoint. Chiara Meier-Wichmann finds that exciting. Watching that document slowly fill up over weeks, knowing what it’s going to become, is part of what she loves about this work.
But nothing compares to the moment it all comes to life. People arriving from every corner of the world, reuniting with colleagues, sharing ideas. Those are the moments that make the stressful days worth it, and Chiara talks about them with real warmth.
She also has a great analogy for what operations in events actually demands. Think of yourself as the pilot, she says. You have a perfect flight plan. But there will be turbulence. There will be technical issues. The passengers shouldn’t feel the bumps, and that’s down to you.
For anyone considering a career in this space, her advice is straightforward: get hands-on experience wherever you can find it, stay curious, and remember that perfection isn’t the goal. Staying calm and finding the solution is.
Listen here, Episode releases 5pm 17/9!