As the events industry slowly starts picking up pace after the pandemic created a disruption, we speak to two of our Event Executives, Fyana and Arnie who joined Chab whilst we were navigating the pandemic. We find out more about how they manoeuvred joining an events company mid-pandemic and how they’ve been coping.

1. What were you doing in early-2020, when COVID started taking the world by storm?

(Fyana) 

When the pandemic hit Singapore, I’ve just graduated from my Diploma. Due to the circuit breaker, I was job hunting for positions in the industry from February till August 2020.

(Arnie) 

I was completing my Degree in May 2020, and worked as a gallery and events assistant after.

2. What brought you to the events industry during the pandemic? More specifically, why Chab Events?

(Fyana) 

I was a fresh graduate with an events diploma but I felt that I was not exposed to the events industry during my internship. As I wanted more experience in the industry, I decided to sign up for the Work-Study Programme (WSP) Specialist Diploma in Events & Mice Programme. For WSP, students are normally chosen by a company for an interview. However, due to the circuit breaker, it took me 7 months to finally receive a call from one company which happens to be Chab Events.

(Arnie) 

After graduating from my Arts Management Degree, I was working as a gallery and events assistant in the Arts Industry. As a gallery assistant, I did the designs for their exhibition catalogue, marketing for the gallery, exhibition conceptualisation, installation of artworks, editing of exhibition texts and more for the gallery – what I have studied for in my degree. But I was also exposed to other art events such as the Francophonie Festival and managed panel discussions for artists. I was really interested in exploring different events in more detail and discovered Chab Events. I decided to join after learning that Chab does various events and that the company culture was multicultural.

 

3. For Arnie, how was your experience transitioning from your previous industry to events, especially at a time where the events industry was facing many challenges?

(Arnie) 

I would say that the arts industry is not very different from the events industry. The commercial arts industry is facing similar challenges during COVID, but my previous experience was in a not-for-profit environment, where the festivals were an annual event and funds were allocated for exhibitions every year. When I joined Chab, I was immediately given the opportunity to work on various project proposals and confirmed events. Both the arts and events industry, as with all industries, need to abide by the current government regulations. However, in Chab, I also get to work on digital events whereas in the gallery and festivals, they have to be attended physically. 

 

4. For Fyana, after completing your WSP Specialist Diploma, why did you choose to pursue a further education (Degree in Facilities Management) in this industry, despite the impacts Covid has had?

(Fyana) 

As I was a fresh graduate with an Events Diploma, I decided to pursue a further education in the industry as I wanted to deepen my knowledge as well as gain the experience of working in the industry and see how I can contribute to this industry and to Chab. Even though the industry was badly affected by the pandemic, we can still see light in the industry as digital events are slowly becoming the norm and we see more hybrid and live events coming back with the easing of restrictions.

5. What are three key things you learnt from your experiences in 2021?

(Fyana) 

1. Determination. Being in a new environment can be challenging but determination is the key to always keep you going to reach your goals. 

2. Don’t be afraid of new things. Being an introvert, I was always afraid to speak up or even try new things but because of the pandemic, it has taught me to take the leap of faith in the industry and try out new experiences that I might not get again.
3. Trust the process. Sometimes when the work gets tough, most people will think that they want to give up. But it’s a process for us to learn and improve on it.

(Arnie) 

1. Being sharp-witted. Sometimes there is no time to fully understand when an issue arises during an event. But we have to react in the best way quickly.
2. To be courageous; in asking questions, suggesting ideas, explaining if something is not possible to achieve and offer an alternative.
3. Prioritising my own health. When events are back to back or happening at the same time, everyone is running for time. Ensure to take meals, hydrate and have enough rest to do my best.

6. For Arnie, how has Chab benefited you in your career switch? What milestones can you say you have achieved?

(Arnie) 

1. Virtual events. It is my first time being involved in digital events and I got to be a stage manager for a virtual summit. It helped me learn one of the key skills to help pivot my expertise
2. Product launches. I was involved in the set up of a car showroom for the first time and I was very amazed at the process.
3. Better sourcing skills and broadening my various industry knowledge. Never would I have thought that I would be contacting keynote speakers from a medical field or event meditation instructors for events. The varied client industries we work with at Chab lets me learn important knowledge regarding the various industries.
4. Expanding my networks. Getting in touch with new people varying from terrarium workshops, destination management companies from other countries, keynote speakers, fabrication companies and digital studios.

7. For Fyana, how has Chab helped you in your part-time studies – How do you balance the assignments vs the day-to-day workload?

(Fyana) 

Being a part time student in Chab has not been a problem at all. The company is very understanding and they are aware of my school days. During days that I have classes, I am given an early time off so that I do not need to rush for school. As for my workload, the managers are quite understanding and most of them would avoid giving me extra workload for me on my school days.

8. Knowing what you know now, if you could go back and give yourself 1 piece of advice, what would you say?

(Fyana) 

To be patient and follow your own path. When I saw most of my friends achieve their goals, I was demotivated as I felt that I wasn’t doing enough and there weren’t any opportunities for me. However, I no longer see it as a demotivation, I see it as a motivation to be patient as my time to reach my goals will come as long as I set my goals right and put in my best effort to reach them.

(Arnie) 

It is alright to venture to another career path while you still can since I knew I wanted to explore. Although I am starting from the basics in a brand new industry, I am adding new skill sets I could not have achieved in an arts gallery setting and can even apply the knowledge I have from the arts.