Nairobi — Production manager, events organisation company Double CK Productions.

1. Most of the events you organise are entertainment-related; what is your view of the Kenyan industry?

The industry has a lot of untapped potential and numerous possibilities. Companies have embraced the importance of glamorous, exhilarating events as a way of marketing their products and an opportunity for their potential clients to sample what they have to offer.

The industry is definitely growing.

2. What is the greatest challenge the industry is facing, or those which you encounter when organising an event?

The most common challenge is lack of funds. Though companies use events as a marketing tool, they still have not given them priority in their annual budgets. There is also a lot of monotony in the type of events carried out. Our conservative nature translates into the nature of our events, restricting creativity, diversity and uniqueness that should be achieved in every event.

When putting together an event, one has to embrace the client's requirements, the suppliers' ability and the quality required.

3. There seems to be a proliferation of events organisers in Kenya, with every Tom, Dick and Harry running such a business; are you people offering quality services, or is it a way of making a quick buck?

Event management is a skill and talent that is inborn. There are various factors that contribute to successful event management and the most critical is a person's personality and ability. One needs to be able to manage crises, resolve conflicts, be a stickler to detail and so on.

4. You are an employee and also own an events company with your brother; how do you take care of your business and that of your boss because you are basically competitors?

Honesty is the key to success. My boss recruited me during the Mister and Miss University Kenya '07 event. We met and talked and formed an arrangement that works for both of us.

5. What is your most successful event to date, and what can you tell those who are aspiring to start such a firm?

The most memorable is this year's Mister and Miss University Kenya pageant which contributed to my joining Double CK Productions and winning the Young Achiever of the Year award at the annual Eve Woman of the Year ceremony.

They should remember that it is not a bed of roses. To be ahead of competition, one needs to be creative and detailed as well as maintain high quality standards.