Olivia: You’ve been with CloserStill Media for twelve years - what first attracted you to the company, and what has kept you here?

Rabs: I’ve been in the industry for 26 years now. I found CloserStill after I’d taken some time out to have a breather and when I was ready to come back, I wanted to find somewhere that gave me the freedom to just be myself. I had an interview with the co-founders of Closer Still and straight away, I liked their approach. They were humble, down-to-earth, and just very real. When I started, I was working on the launch of the Occupational Therapy Show. That show’s still running today and I’m really proud to have been part of its start. As for what’s kept me here, honestly, I’ve always worked in my own little bubble. I focus on my work, on my team, and we treat what we do like our own business. We deliver, we work hard, and we work as a unit. There’s a level of trust at CloserStill which sets it apart from other companies - that kind of freedom is rare.

Olivia: How has your role evolved over the years, and what has been the most pivotal moment in your career here?

Rabs: I’d say my role has evolved alongside the growth and evolution of the shows themselves. Over the years, I’ve taken on more challenges and, in many cases, built things from the ground up. One of the most pivotal moments came during the pandemic. As an industry, we were hit hard - Tech Show London was actually the last show we ran as a company before lockdown. You can imagine how that went! But what stands out is how we brought it back to life. Not only did we recover, but we made history - it became the company’s highest grossing show. I remember thinking, we actually did that. It was such a proud moment.

Olivia: Tech evolves rapidly - how do you ensure the Tech Shows you lead stay relevant, and forward-thinking? 

Rabs: As Portfolio Director, it’s all about working closely across teams and making sure everyone is up to speed. And not just in sales, but across content, marketing, and operations. We are constantly educating ourselves and staying connected to the market. That means exploring new areas and looking at what competitors are doing, then asking ourselves how we can do it better. Being in regular conversation with our clients also helps us stay close to this amazing community we’ve built. Tech Show London is really like five shows in one, and it’s crucial that each part creates that community feel. You can’t just sign a contract and consider the job done. You have to keep engaging because otherwise the show won’t stay relevant and it won’t succeed.

Olivia: You delivered another amazing edition of Tech Show London in March - what do you think makes this event such a success year on year and keeps those exhibitors coming back?

Rabs: In a nutshell, it's the team. That’s really what it comes down to. If you’ve got a tight, well-run ship, you can deliver anything. It’s never going to be an easy ride, but with a solid strategy and clear plans in place, success is within reach. I’m always there to support and step in where needed, but it’s that team spirit, belief, and drive that make all the difference. When everyone is aligned and pushing in the same direction, you can achieve anything. Clients like that, and it keeps them coming back for more.

Olivia: What qualities do you look for when hiring new members to your high performing commercial team?

Rabs: First and foremost, personality and humbleness. If I hire someone new, they have to fit my team. We’ve got a mixed bag of personalities but at the core, everyone is honest and hardworking. If someone comes in with arrogance, then it isn’t going to work because they won’t last in this industry. It’s about being part of a team, being open to learning, and having the right mindset to grow.

Olivia: How do you approach developing talent - what do you do to help team members grow into more senior roles?

Rabs: I invest a lot of time into training my team, often by giving them situations to deal with or problems to solve that can be challenging. It pushes them out of their comfort zone and that’s where the real growth happens. At the same time, they know that they can be completely open and honest with me. I don’t judge my team, we believe in having very black and white conversations. If someone makes a mistake, I’m not going to tell them off, I’m going to see what we can do together and guide them in the right direction.

Olivia: What are some of the biggest changes you've seen in the tech events industry since you started?

Rabs: In the past 12 years technology has blown up entirely - the growth of this sector is literally non-stop. Data Centre World has gone from being basic with standard equipment to becoming one of our most advanced global events.  I think since the pandemic, people have realized technology is our lifeline and our entire world so the demand will only continue to grow.

Olivia: All markets have their ups and downs and the great thing about tech is it’s always needed and always developing. How do you create an environment where your sales team can thrive even during the tough market conditions for some of the verticals?

Rabs: Sometimes shows are tough, there’s no getting around that. You can’t control this industry and my team understands that because they know this world inside and out. My role is to keep them motivated and focused, especially when things get challenging. I’m there to say, okay, you’re struggling, but you can keep going, we’ll get through this. It’s about opening up real conversations around what they need to grow and hit their targets. When you create that kind of support and trust, you can help drive people toward success, even in the toughest conditions.

Olivia: Looking back, what has been your proudest achievement within the tech portfolio?

Rabs: I'm incredibly proud of how far we've taken Tech Show and of course, winning awards across sales, content, and marketing has been a real highlight. But honestly, my biggest achievement has been watching the team grow and progress. As a manager, I constantly look at people and think you're capable of so much more than you realise! That's what really drives me - the people side of things. Seeing individuals grow into top salespeople, top marketers, top content leads, that's what gives me a buzz. Watching them bring in big-name speakers that you wouldn't see on other shows is really something special. It's like a full-circle moment. We've had incredible milestones - Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the web and we were the first to bring in Brian Cox. Now, everyone’s booking him, but we were ahead of the curve. Moments like those stand out.

Olivia: What do you see in store for your future at CloserStill?

Rabs: I have full faith in my team, and while I’m on maternity leave, I know they’ll continue to deliver. Looking ahead, I’m really focused on their development and career progression because it's something I care deeply about. I also have a clear vision for the tech portfolio, and for me, it all comes down to growth. I see growth for the show, and I see growth for the team. That’s the future I’m excited about, continuing to build something bigger together.