Jo Austin, Sales Director at Lime Venue Portfolio, joins Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter General Manager Paul Borg to discuss the connections that shape careers, win trust and keep people in the events industry.
Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter has released the latest episode of its Talking People with Paul Borg podcast, featuring Jo Austin, Sales Director at Lime Venue Portfolio.
Jo and Paul worked together earlier in their careers at a large Manchester hotel. Reunited for the podcast, they discuss the event that helped shape Paul’s career, why some of Jo’s strongest client relationships began when things went wrong, and the people they have stayed connected with across the industry.
“My career’s been built on great relationships, keeping great relationships, working great relationships, working with amazing people,” Jo tells Paul. “And it’s served me incredibly well.”
The pair recall delivering the Rugby League Man of Steel Awards at their former hotel. For Paul, who was then a younger events professional, running an event of that scale was a defining opportunity. Jo remembers bringing a relatively new team together to make it happen.
“Our industry affords us the opportunity to build amazing relationships,” she says, “and turn customers into friends and colleagues into friends.”
Those relationships can become strongest when an event does not go to plan. Jo says her approach is to face a problem, listen to the client and take responsibility for putting things right.
“Some of my best relationships and connections have been born out of adversity,” Jo says.
Paul shares that focus on the people delivering events. “I’m an operator at heart. I’d still rather be down on the floor moving tables and chairs than sat reading a P&L,” he says. For him, that experience is why the team matters so much when an organiser chooses a venue.
“There’s a lot of beautiful stadiums, hotels and venues out there,” he adds. “It’s about the people that run it and the connections, and the team that are on site and how they build that relationship with the client.”
The episode continues the podcast’s exploration of the people and career paths behind hospitality and events, with the conversation covering how Jo moved from retail into hospitality, an event in Leeds that led to her meeting Nelson Mandela, and why employers must show young people the range of careers available across the industry to attract future talent.
Listen to Jo Austin’s conversation with Paul Borg now via Talking People with Paul Borg.
