Manuel Olivero | Industry Feature

Tell us more about your company and your journey, what led you to this industry, and how you first get started building your business.

I'm a journalist and an Event and Venue Manager. 'MadsForEvent' is my new editorial project, a podcast created specifically for event managers and professionals in the industry. In the future, I hope to organize a festival dedicated to event management in Italy. It will be a small 'present' for our industry, celebrating and showcasing its achievements.

If you could go back and do it over again from the beginning, what would you have done differently?

It's my story. With my mistakes and my little successes. I like it. I prefer to think about the present and the future. I don't want to change anything about my past.

What has been the biggest challenge that you faced and how did you overcome that?

Eight years ago, I made the decision to leave my hometown of Rome and settle in a small town near Ancona, close to the beautiful Adriatic Sea. I have come to appreciate this new way of life, with more time and a better quality of living. However, Rome remains in my thoughts and holds a special place in my heart. It wasn't an easy transition, leaving one of the best cities for event management. But my dream is to contribute to the growth of the Marche Region and establish it as a new destination for meetings and events. I have the time and determination to make it happen.

What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful entrepreneur?

Your dreams, your courage, and a lot of patience. We are living through a lot of changes. A Manager, an entrepreneur, has to understand this kind of change. Every day, courage and patience.

What are some of the most important factors for running a successful business?

I believe in people. Human Resources are the most important asset for success. You have to create a Team of people that believe in you, in your project. People are the solution!

How do you feel the use of technology has helped the growth of your business?

Technology is a big help for Event Industry Projects. More than ten years ago, I started to organize virtual and hybrid events. ‘Madeincongress’ (my first editorial project) became an important webzine with digital events.

What are some helpful tips for first-time and aspiring entrepreneurs in the industry?

Event management is like a mission. You have to love it and live it with passion. It's a field where continuous learning is crucial to acquire new skills. Above all, the most important aspect is to genuinely love people and value relationships. Our industry revolves around building and nurturing connections.