Olivia: How did you first get into the events and exhibitions industry?

Luke: I actually fell into the industry by accident. I was working in recruitment but spending most of my free time DJing and organising club nights in Bristol. When I saw an events sales role advertised, I convinced myself there must be some transferable skills there - I didn't really know what I was getting myself into!

Olivia: You studied in the UK but have spent most of your career in Asia. How did that journey unfold? 

Luke: Having spent part of my childhood in Asia and being able to speak some Mandarin Chinese, shortly after starting my first job in  events I was keen to put myself forward to support the company’s expansion into the region. Within my first year, I found myself launching  and leading a Hong Kong office, which really set the direction for what followed. From there, I spent several years building teams and scaling events across the region before joining CloserStill in Singapore.

Olivia: You joined to lead Data Centre World Asia, part of Tech Week Singapore - what did you see in that opportunity?

Luke: I was first introduced to CloserStill’s Singapore business by Andy Kiwanuka, (Managing Director - Asia Pacific), and was immediately drawn to the ambition, entrepreneurial energy and collaborative culture behind its growth story since the launch of Cloud Expo Asia in 2013.

When a role became available to lead Data Centre World Asia, I analysed the market and felt the event had enormous untapped potential. It was already well positioned in a region where demand for digital infrastructure was accelerating rapidly, and I saw a clear opportunity to grow it into a much larger and globally influential platform for the industry. 

But the opportunity went beyond DCW - I also recognised how well diversified the Tech Week portfolio was, with strong brands across the enterprise tech stack, creating both the conditions to scale and the flexibility to adapt with the market.

Olivia: Looking back over the past four years of rapid growth, what has been the biggest challenge you've had to overcome, and what are you most proud of achieving?

Luke: Keeping up with the pace of growth has been one of our biggest challenges. When demand increases that quickly, every part of the event has to evolve alongside it. What I'm most proud of, though, is that we've managed it without compromising the experience for any of the key stakeholder groups. It’s taken a huge cross-functional effort across the business, but exhibitor and visitor feedback has continued to improve and we’ve won several major industry awards along the way, which is a real credit to my team.

Olivia: Has your perspective changed since becoming Commercial Director?

Luke: Since joining CloserStill, my role had largely focused on building and growing a specific show. Moving into the Commercial Director role for Asia has broadened that perspective. I now have the chance to look further ahead across a region brimming with opportunity, work with more teams across multiple portfolios, and think more strategically about what’s next. It’s a different challenge, and one I’m really enjoying.

Olivia: Stepping back a little bit, what is your favourite part of your day-to-day? 

Luke: Solving problems. No two days are the same, and I enjoy working with talented specialists across departments to tackle the challenges that come with delivering events and scaling portfolios.

Some days feel like a game show, where every round presents a new scenario. You must think quickly, work with the right people and find the best way through - that’s what keeps the role interesting.

Olivia: What do you think is the best moment onsite during an event?

Luke: There are two moments I love most. The first is the evening before opening, when the show is fully built and there is a strange mix of tranquillity and anticipation - everything looks immaculate, and the stage is set. The second is when the show is at full energy: meetings happening, ideas being shared, business being done, and that sense of relief and shared accomplishment starts to land across the team.

Olivia: If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self when you were entering the industry, or to someone starting out in events today, what would it be?

Luke: I’d offer encouragement and say, “Keep going. It’ll be worth it.”

I’d also remind myself that you don’t have to be the finished article. Stay curious, be collaborative and ready to commit fully when opportunities appear. Some of the biggest leaps in my career came from backing my own strengths, but also understanding that you achieve far more with good people around you. Events are ultimately built on teams, so resilience matters, but so does trust.

Olivia: Finally, what is it about your Singapore team that makes you most proud?

Luke: The culture we’ve created. We have a real mix of backgrounds in the team, with everyone bringing different perspectives and experiences. That diversity is a big part of what makes the Singapore office special.

Whether we’re celebrating festivities, sharing food, supporting each other through busy campaigns or singing our hearts out at karaoke, there’s a genuine sense of togetherness. That’s something I don’t take for granted, and a big reason I’m proud of this team.