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Wednesday, 2 October 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
To those in the industry, Event Horizon is not an unfamiliar name when it comes to event management. Founding Directors of EH Hazim Abdul Cader and Minha Akram are experienced professionals in event management with a passion for what they do. In conversation with the Daily FT, they shared their experiences in creating Event Horizon together.
“Hazim and I were not new to the field of events. We already had the exposure and experience and it was all a matter of combining strengths. We foresaw the challenges of starting a new business and thus began with a modest investment. As a policy to ensure our sustainability we operated with a streamlined team which provided EH the space to grow from job to job.”
Minha added that EH has a strong network of clients overseas and in Sri Lanka and has quickly earned credibility in the event industry.
The two are naturals at their individual skills, which combined impresses the most discerning critic. Hazim’s expertise lies in the technical and organisational aspects of creating an event. His unwavering reliability makes him a pillar of strength to clients and peers alike. Minha is a jewellery designer turned event architect with visionary creative, branding and conceptualising skills. Sticklers for detail and quality, Minha and Hazim explain that they are constantly evolving and always think big. Their process involves detailed research before conceptualising events.
“Exploring new territories keeps us on our feet. We truly enjoy what we do for our clients and we are very passionate about our work. Planning an event demands a lot of patience and foresight. You need to be quick on your feet and always prepared to problem solve on the go. It is important that you learn from your achievements as well as your mistakes.”
Speaking on the Philips Intelli-Hospital Conference, Minha reiterated that the client brief was very technical and the Oak Room of the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo had to be transformed by constructing a mock hospital complete with an operating theatre, ICU, nurses’ station, emergency room and NICU as well as a conference set up.
“The Event Horizon event Management skills have been par -excellence, I wouldn’t hesitate a second, to recommend their services to anyone. I’ve always been at ease before that big moment, knowing the event proceedings are in the hands of professionals. I can’t afford blunders with my brand, I’m always confident when Team Event Horizon is handling the show.” - Product Manager for Toyota Lanka Eshan Coorey
“As a global conglomerate, we have offices in 80 countries around the globe, but for Jones Lang LaSalle it was like taking baby steps in an emerging region like Sri Lanka. One that was fraught with certain amounts of sensitivity. Given the environment and background, the requirement to have a high decibel event was the need of the day and hence the search for a top quality event management team which could handle our ‘big client’ syndrome whilst at the same time over deliver on expectations. From the very first day that we reached out to Event Horizon and Hazim, our fears were put to rest. The easy manner in which our queries and brief were handled gave us the initial comfort to move ahead. The EH team took the onus of the event upon themselves completely, so much so that I sometimes felt like an outsider observing perfection at work. Hazim’s confidence and endearing ways as well as Minha’s attention to detail was just the tip on the iceberg. It is with due credit to them that our hugely critical leadership event went on flawlessly, even inviting the compliments of the expat leadership team which had flown in from outside the country. The agency’s professional approach to a very critical business initiative was in fact a live example of meeting more than our expectations. I wish the EH team the very best in their future endeavours and hope that they take comfort from the fact that EH will be our choice of preferred event managers for any subsequent events in Sri Lanka. In turn, they have raised the benchmark for event management and delivery for all our other partners.” - Head of Marketing & Communications for Jones Lang Lasalle Shajai Jacob
“I have worked with Event Horizon on number of projects, both events of CIMA & MAS Holdings. In my experience ‘Event Management’ is something that comes naturally to Team Event Horizon! They go into great detail to add value to the event and I have found them to be extremely easy to work with. I can guarantee that Event Horizon will surpass even the highest of expectations.” - Accountant cum PA to Managing Director for MAS Intimates Kasuni Silva
“As a marketing company we are always striving to make our events unique & demand perfection in their execution – which is why we only work with Event Horizon. In addition to making sure the events run smoothly, they also works with us on developing great ideas and most importantly making them possible. Our clients too have always been exceptionally happy with the level of professionalism Team Horizon brings.” - Managing Director of Three Sixty Minali de Silva
“Organising an event is a ‘high pressure’ assignment. Clients want to look their best in front of their audiences and there is no margin for error and a high benchmark that keeps moving upwards till the end of the event. It requires nerves of steel an icy resolve tons of patience and the event. It requires nerves of steel, an icy resolve, tons of patience and the personality of a young man on his first date! Event Horizon’s cool and collected manner and their friendly disposition combined with an extremely professional approach put the client at ease and helps deliver an event that is often commendable. We as an Agency feel safe and comfortable working with Event Horizon on projects because of the confidence they present and the delivery we have obtained in the past.” - Managing Director of Words Advertising Rohan Rajaratnamohan Rajaratnam
“The construction and installation took around 48 hours and we had to learn about the newest technology in the world of medicine in order to have a broader understanding of the brief. Before building the hospital at the venue, we tested all components at the workshop leaving no space for design flaws. The challenging aspect of this project was the ‘live’ component. We had to provide a fully functioning network and electrical platform for the demonstration of the very technical equipment with space for onsite modifications.”
Event Horizon (EH) is a specialised integrated marketing, PR and event services company that delivers experiential communications solutions, bringing brands alive in a three dimensional space.
“EH solutions always focus on the brand as the origin of the ideation process. The way we see it, that puts experiential communication firmly in the spotlight. Ultimately we are about results. We endure to provide you with solutions that will give you the best ROI,” said Minha.
“As far as we are concerned, your guests are our guests. Going the extra mile is part of that territory and we are we are always happy to help in any way we can. Our focus is on providing a warm and personalised experience with great attention to detail, so that our clients know that we are always there for them. Innovation and thinking out of the box are what make us unique. Thinking too big for a small island is an accusation we consider a compliment. Our integrity is at the heart of all that we do.”
The team comprises of a highly trained 15 member production team that gives life to their designs, while the company’s skilled technical team adds sparkle with special effects lighting and sound systems.
The EH team works to ensure execution of the finest details, negotiate the best deals possible, secure the most suitable venues and manage artists and entertainers.
Their work portfolio ranges from corporate events, conferences, fashion shows, parties, gala events, dinner dances, exhibitions, award ceremonies and weddings.
For more information and updates on Event Horizon Ltd. visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Event.Horizon.
