Everyone wants to be an event manager. Everyone wants to hear the roar of the crowd and to be around when the event runs seamlessly with hundreds lining up at the gates in perfect weather. Everyone wants to bask in the limelight of a successful event but the reality is few do it well and even fewer survive. 

 

In this industry experience matters and JLE has that in spades. Partners John Logan and Stephen Douglass boast a combined experience of over 50 years in one of the toughest industries there is. John has run or been part of over 2000 shows since the 1970s in a career that has seen plenty of challenges, many successful projects and accolades. Coming form a building background , Stephen is blessed with practical hands on skills, qualities and design experience  With high level technical support from “boy genius” Adam Smidt and the financial & administrative support of Roslyn Gardner in the office, 

 

In 2020, the group boast an event profile that is the envy of many. Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Powderfinger, World Rally (2011 – 2019), the Seekers, Bolshoi Ballet and more have all chosen to work with JLE while JLE’s own events is an impressive portfolio including The Coffs Harbour International Buskers Festival ( 2000-2019) & Summer Beach Hop (2019-2020). From 2000 – 2012 JLE also ran the teenage phenomenon known as The Hot House Party which entertained nearly 100,000 youngsters up and down the east coast of Australia over some 12 -13  years.

 

And when the going gets tough, you don’t find these guys backing away. They are right at the coal face problem solving all the way from load in to load out. When the Midnight Oil event in 2017 copped 200 ml or rain in a few hours, it was Steve’s idea to move the venue to the International Stadium car park & John’s idea to rename the car park “the CEX Stadium Forecourt’’. Such is the resilience of these two guys, they will work for days straight, pick up the rubbish themselves, clean the venue post event or get down and dirty to ensure site toilets are kept clean if that is what the event needs.

 

This is what a good event manager needs to do and this is what comes with them when they embark on an event.