When the demands of arranging an event for 2,000 auditors, advisors and support staff reaches a peak, Anita Chau looks back at an earlier phase of her career. In logistics she coordinated the shipping of hundreds of tonnes of products a week, a feat that required rapid-fire multitasking and a happy end-user.

She joined KPMG as a training administrator and was invited to organise the firm’s Christmas party for Hong Kong. Then came the annual staff dinner followed by the annual conference before she took up the events position in the markets group.

Chau is expecting an increase in global meetings and events over the next few years, with the firm’s new global chairman, Michael Andrew, now being based in Hong Kong. She also has to drive marketing initiatives such as the firm’s Chamber and alumni programmes.

Natural move
Organising events is something I always enjoyed doing and I thought I should give it a go on the corporate level. A few years after organising in-house events, I naturally moved on to focus on external events.

Team dedication
We had a Global Conference recently in Hong Kong, and on the second morning of the programme, the Typhoon 8 signal was raised. As all the delegates and speakers were at the hotel venue, we were able to continue with the conference with a skeleton team, and I was particularly proud that some members of the team made it to the hotel to provide on-site support even though it was not expected of them.

Our firm’s policy in such situations is for staff to remain at a safe place until the typhoon signal is lowered. This shows how dedicated and committed the team is to getting the job done.

Social media
Probably the biggest change I have seen in marketing events is the use of technology. Gone are the days of paper-based invites. The use of social media in marketing in general has grown enormously, and where events are concerned, the challenge is how we can integrate social media given people now lead busier lives and are more mobile.

Global team
We try to give team members an opportunity to work on high-profile events or a chance to work with our global team. Working with the global events team is always interesting and provides a good learning and knowledge sharing experience.

We must always target relevant people and communicate what is coming up to our senior people weekly.

Creative passion
I think the number one quality for a successful event planner is to be passionate about what they do. It is this quality that brings about excitement, pride and creativity to an event. As clichéd as it may sound, the biggest satisfaction I get is when our clients and stakeholders are happy with the outcome.

My events
The events team comprises four people in Hong Kong, one each in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Beijing, and two in Shanghai. Team members have autonomy to work directly with stakeholders in their jurisdiction, but where the event is complex or high profile, then they work together across cities.

Chau loves
Family Spending time with my family, whether taking the kids to the park, or playing at home.
Junk trips When the weather is right, a great way to enjoy Hong Kong’s coastline is on a junk trip.
Yoga I don’t do enough exercise but do enjoy yoga when I have the time.
Travel I like to travel, and don’t do enough of it. I’d love to see more of South Asia and Europe.