Event Star Spotlight - Diana Newson

What started as a quick post to help some friends gain a bit of exposure has snowballed into a feature.  The Event Star Spotlight is meant to bring some attention to some of our rising stars in the Event Industry.  while I don't have a set timeline for how often these posts will roll out, I am open to suggestions/nominations.  This feature is not limited to graduates of The Art Institute of Vancouver (AI) or people just starting out in the industry - if you know someone that deserves to be recognized, please let me know!  Now, without further ado, let's take a look at our next star...

Diana Newson

It's not enough to tell people you're excited for an event - you need to prove it.  In my short time in this industry, I doubt I've ever met anyone as high-energy as Diana.  From sitting through four hour classes, to working through the demanding rigors of an event day, she's always got a genuine smile on her face, one that you can't help but return.  In fact, I'm smiling right now just thinking about Diana and she's not even in town anymore.

Originally hailing from the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, Diana has returned to her roots to start up Original Newson Events (ONE) with her mother Kella.  ONE manages the Newton Estate, formerly the family beachfront summer home, and offers event coordination for events hosted at the estate.

Getting started in the event industry means facing a multitude of challenges, especially when you're doing it on your own.  It's easy to get overwhelmed and question every move with, "is this ever going to happen," or "what the H--- am I doing?"  While Diana is to busy to ask that first question (if she ever did, none of us would ever have guessed!), the second pops up daily.

"There are so many tasks and random things that pop up that you have to do that you never would have thought of.  Also, there is always the question of if you're doing enough!  Are you doing the right thing and doing a good job?  There is no one there to tell you otherwise.  Being your own boss is fabulous.  However, it can be a little nerve wracking!"

As a freelance event coordinator with a passion for weddings, Diana still has time to work with Compass Adventures, a water sports centre that runs summer camps and programs for kids.  Diana has taken on the challenge of increasing their Internet presence as well as coordinating events including the paddle board race series and a three-day waterman festival in August, during which, Diana will act as the event on site coordinator.

Between her work at ONE and Compass, Diana plans to keep on the path she is carving out for herself, content to see what opportunities pop up along the way.  While I can't predict the future, I can tell you that Diana will not get there by following a well-worn path - she'll blaze a trail and inspire a new generation of planners to do the same.