LAST WORD
MATT GOVETT
The new managing director of MA Exhibitions on Sticky Wicket
frustrations, refuelling in Soho and championing the industry
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TOPIC THAT NEEDS ADDRESSING IN
THE INDUSTRY?
What will it take for MAX to win Sticky Wicket after two
finals in the last two years, I blame the previous MD…
WHAT ARE THE THREE THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE IN THE
INDUSTRY?
Better awareness of environmental issues – there is so much
wastage at events and with increasing public awareness about
pollution and recycling, we must do more. More championing
of the industry across the spectrum to help the newer
organisers get up and running in the right way. Thirdly, more
networking bars at events.
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WHICH SPEAKER HAS MOST IMPRESSED YOU AT AN
EXHIBITION AND WHY?
I was lucky enough to hear former children’s
laureate Michael Rosen at the Nursery World
Show in 2016. His keynote was wildly inspiring,
he had the audience enthralled and was inspiring
from start to finish – plus he’s one of my children’s
favourite writers.
WHICH MEMBER OF THE INDUSTRY IS LEAST
LIKELY TO GET A ROUND IN FIRST?
Ed Tranter, because he’s
unemployed.
WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE
FOR A NIGHTCAP AND
WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Refuel at Soho Hotel,
caipirinhas every time.
WHAT’S THE WORST
IDEA YOU HAVE SEEN
AT AN EXHIBITION?
Us, years ago,
thinking we’d get
away with Velcro
to attach boards to
the outer walls of
a venue above the
entrance, which
unsurprisingly then
blew off in the wind
onto people below.
MOST PRIZED
POSSESSION?
Ed’s old office.
January 2019 | exhibitionnews.co.uk
WHAT ONE THING DO YOU DO BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE?
Attention to detail every step of the way.
BIGGEST WEAKNESS?
Trying to do everything myself, although with the brilliant
team I work with, that’s not so much of a problem anymore.
BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT/PROUDEST MOMENT (IN AND
OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY)?
In the industry, without question, it was launching our first
Nursery World Show in 2015 with no exhibition team and
before the existence of MAX. We had a very small team of
brilliant, very enthusiastic but inexperienced people, mainly
from publishing and conferences background. While we made
mistakes along the way, the show was welcomed back to great
praise by the sector and we haven’t looked back since.
Outside the industry, my proudest moment will always be
my two children being born.
TEAM YOU SUPPORT AND WHY?
Woking FC – it’s where I grew up and where I first went on
weekends to watch football as a child with my father. Still
can’t shake off the loyalty.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO LET OFF STEAM?
Get out of London for a day, away from all the noise and the
racing around, to the countryside off the beaten track.
WHAT’S THE BEST PUTDOWN YOU’VE HEARD IN THE
INDUSTRY?
Ed who? Heard with increasing frequency.
WORST ITEM OF CLOTHING YOU OWN?
There are many, but the current worst addition is the fluoro
pink headband I wore to the MAX Xmas party.
DESCRIBE THE EVENTS INDUSTRY.
Creative, exciting, hard work, a lot of fun and with the rate at
which it changes and develops, a land of opportunity.
FAVOURITE PLACE TO GO AT THE WEEKEND?
To Soho, start early, finish late.
WORST JOB YOU’VE HAD?
Washing dirty plates for long shifts in the kitchen in a pub in
Leicester Square during university days.
WHO IS YOUR HERO/INSPIRATION?
I want to say my predecessor, but I’ll never hear the end of it.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE COUNTRY TO VISIT?
Brazil, every time, never fails to amaze me from Rio to the
tropics in the Northeast. EN