Rita Okoye is a B2B corporate event consultant, entrepreneur and author with experience spanning financial services, technology, media and international markets. Having worked in both the UK and Nigeria, she bring together her background in marketing, business and event management to help organisations deliver events that support their business goals. She is the author of Practical Event Planning for Real-World Execution, a hands-on guide for corporate event planners, and is passionate about sharing her knowledge, mentoring aspiring professionals and helping others grow in the events industry. Beyond her professional life, she is a wife and mother to three adult children. Rita talks about her experiences in the event management industry, her new book and other sundry issues in this interview.

What inspired you to go into the event planning and management business, and how has the journey been so far?

I actually fell into event planning! I originally wanted to work in the media as a talk show host, but God had other plans. My first big break came at Financial Times magazines, where I helped the events department with a major awards show. That experience really excited me about events. I also worked at BBC London, where we had an event centre called BBC Experience that we hired out to corporate organisations. Being involved in managing the venue gave me another insight into the industry. Later, I lived and worked in Lagos for 14 years, running my own consultancy, and that was a game changer. Lagosians love events! I delivered several milestone celebrations and empowerment events before expanding into corporate marketing campaigns, working with brands including Access Bank, Stanbic Bank, First Bank and HSBC across events and radio sponsorships. Looking back, my journey has taken me in directions I didn’t originally plan, but each experience has shaped the work I do today. What started almost by accident has become a career that brings together my interests in people, business, marketing and creating memorable experiences.

Tell us more about the work you do as an event consultant.

I work with different organisations that need additional support with their corporate events. Often, I come in during particularly busy periods to help plan and deliver conferences, summits, roadshows and other events. Because I work on a consultancy basis, I can support organisations for a specific period or project, bringing my experience into the team when it’s needed.

What gives you the cutting edge above others in your line of business?

My background in entrepreneurship and marketing gives me a wider understanding of what a business is trying to achieve. I don’t see an event as simply booking a venue, organising suppliers and making sure everything runs smoothly. Those things are important, of course, but I also want to understand the bigger picture. I look at the business objectives behind the event and how we can use it to support them. I often work closely with sales teams to make sure the event is aligned with their goals. For me, it’s about understanding why we’re doing the event in the first place and making sure the planning and delivery support that purpose.

What are the challenges facing the industry, and what positive changes would you like to see?

One of the biggest challenges in corporate events is justifying the investment. Having a large audience at an event doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve reached the right people. You could have hundreds of attendees, but if they aren’t the people your business needs to connect with, what have you really achieved? Organisations need to be more intentional about the events they choose and how those events support their business objectives. Otherwise, you can end up creating a lot of noise without achieving much of value. AI is one of the positive changes I’m excited about. It’s helping to take some of the administrative load off event professionals, freeing up time that can be spent on other aspects of planning and delivery.

You just released a new book. Can you share a little about it?

Thank you for asking. My book, Practical Event Planning for Real-World Execution, grew out of a request from parents whose children wanted to enter the events industry. They approached me for mentoring, and I found myself sharing practical advice, coaching materials and even a mini event-planning book I had put together for them. Earlier this year, I decided to bring that material together with the practical lessons I’ve gathered throughout my career and develop it into a more comprehensive resource. The book is primarily for corporate event planners with around two to five years of experience who want to move beyond the basics and strengthen their skills. It covers the realities of planning and delivering events, from managing teams and engaging audiences to handling unexpected challenges when things don’t go according to plan. I wanted to create something event professionals could turn to in their day-to-day work, a practical guide grounded in real experience rather than theory alone.

How does your own experience of being a woman shape your writing?

I’ve been writing for years, and I don’t particularly think about my gender when I’m writing. I think about the audience I’m trying to reach and the person who might benefit from what I’m sharing. I want to make an impact, one reader at a time. If something I’ve written helps one person learn, grow or approach their work differently, then that matters to me.

Have you ever experienced or witnessed discrimination in the creative industry?

I haven’t personally witnessed discrimination directly, but I do believe more needs to be done to create greater balance and representation across genders and for people of colour, particularly internationally. People can be underrepresented because of stereotypes, and I think it’s important that we continue to challenge those perceptions. I do believe things are changing, which is encouraging, but I’d still like to see more diverse faces and perspectives represented across the industry.

What space does the publishing industry give to women writers?

I think there is a lot of space for women writers. I self-published my book on Amazon, and I found the process quite straightforward. Of course, publishing the book is only one part of the journey. You also have to market it and put your work out into the world. You can’t simply write a book and hope people will find it. You have to show up, talk about your work and give people the opportunity to discover it. For me, it’s about having the confidence to share what you know and allowing your work to be seen. You have to show up and shine brightly.

What advice would you give to young women looking to get their book published?

My advice would be simple: just do it. I’m actually preparing to deliver a workshop to students at a London university on corporate event planning, and if any of the young women ask me about writing and publishing, that’s what I’d tell them. There isn’t necessarily a perfect time to publish your book. If you have something you’re passionate about and want to share, start making time for it. Dedicate a few hours each week to writing, even if it’s just a little at a time. You might be surprised by how quickly you make progress when you stay consistent. Don’t wait until everything feels perfect. Start with what you have, keep going and give yourself the opportunity to finish what you’ve started.

What message do you have for women who would like to go into your line of business?

I would say, be open to opportunities and don’t be afraid to start small. I actually fell into event planning, so my journey wasn’t something I had mapped out. Every experience taught me something, from working on awards shows to managing events in Lagos, Washington, Nashville and London just to mention a few. My advice is to get involved, learn as much as you can and understand that events are about more than just planning a beautiful occasion. It’s also about people, business and creating the right experience for the right audience. You never know where one opportunity might lead you.