In this series, features and series developer Heather Nicholls speaks to the unsung heroes of the events industry to reveal what really drives their passion and the remarkable contributions we too often overlook.
In this edition we meet Desi Niklova, production coordinator, EMEA at INVNT.
As with many people who we have spoken to for this series, Nikolova also ‘fell’ into the events industry. After graduation, she wasn’t sure which direction she wanted to go in and then heard about a charity organisation called ‘Brixton Finishing School.”
In the span of ten weeks, Niklova was introduced to all corners of the marketing world. This is where she met the INVNT team and fell in love with the idea of not only getting to to cool events, but actually producing them. She says: “What I find great about my role as a production coordinator is that I get to be closely involved in every aspect of bringing a concept to life under the form of these fabulous events that our team puts together. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn and grown in the industry.”
Quick Q and A:
What does a typical day look like for you on site?
There is never a dull moment on-site. I usually have a very early start, my team & I go through the agenda of the event, make sure our very high criteria is met, AV is set up, supplier schedules align with ours. Everyone in the industry knows that it’s rare that things go to plan 100% of the time so it’s a lot of thinking on your feet while onsite which keeps the job interesting throughout the day.
If your job didn’t exist, what do you think organisers or attendees would miss most?
I think having a production coordinator on projects makes the producer’s life easier and leaves no space for error allowing for a smooth and seamless guest experience.
What’s something most people don’t realise about your job?
Most people don’t realise how many people are involved in producing a high-end event and the endless spreadsheets with schedules which are so detailed that every second of the event is outlined. My friends still think my job is hiring some flowers to make a venue look pretty. It’s part of it but definitely not the whole thing.
What’s one event you’ll never forget working on and why?
Last year, I worked on an event in San Jose in collaboration with The Female Quotient that brought together women leaders from a wide range of industries. Hearing their stories was personally inspiring, and I was proud to be part of an event that provided a platform for these voices to share their experiences and inspire hundreds of attendees.
What’s been your proudest moment so far?
My proudest moment is definitely the first project I took the lead on. Our team was managing the logistics & private transfers for more than 150 influencers, actors & musicians who attended a series of events in the span of a week, ending the experience with going to the Formula One Grand Prix in Singapore.
What’s the toughest challenge you’ve faced during an event?
Our team was responsible for organising the Formula E Fan Village in Monaco. It was a lovely sunny day, people were enjoying being outside drinking some cold beer and having a great time, excited to watch the race and engage with all activations we had organised. Then the second live day came and with it, biblical rain. The talent we had organised wasn’t allowed to go on stage due to H&S risks because of the storm. The parasol we had organised had to be pierced because of the rainwater that was collected. At the end of the day, it was still a success and people started coming out and dancing in the rain.
In terms of success in her role, Niklova says: “To me success is seeing the source of truth for project information and clearly established roles and responsibilities streamline communication and minimize delays and rework.”
Her role helps to support seamless delivery by managing production documentation, coordinating information flow and assisting with supplier and stakeholder communication, allowing senior team members to focus on higher-level decision making. She explains: “This role often goes unnoticed because success means problems never become visible. However, the behind-the-scenes coordination, problem-solving and attention to detail are essential to enabling smooth delivery and supporting every other team involved.”
