Encore recently hosted a groundbreaking event that brought together thought leaders and advocates to discuss the critical topics of Trans Awareness, Gender Diversity, and Emotional Intelligence. The event featured powerful presentations from Katherine Wolfgramme, a renowned Trans Awareness Educator and Gender Diversity Consultant, Linda Boyd, the visionary Founder and CEO of Kleu, Rachel Cosgrove-White, a Navy veteran sharing her experiences as a lesbian in the defence force, and Gavin Loveday, a long-standing team member of Accor who shared his heart-warming experience of acceptance working for our hotel partner.

Encore produced the event in support of these inspiring presenters and as part of our various business resource group endeavours which has seen the development of various groups including Encore Pride, Women of Encore and Encore Wellbeing.

Katherine Wolfgramme: Turning Fear into Understanding

Katherine Wolfgramme, a celebrated trans advocate and award-winning speaker, shared her journey as a transgender woman. She highlighted the significance of creating legal precedents and changing societal language to foster a more inclusive environment. Katherine’s efforts have led to monumental changes, such as allowing transgender people in Fiji to change their legal documents and influencing respectful journalism practices in Australia.

In her presentation, Katherine discussed her experiences with gender dysphoria, and the skills and attributes that transgender people build in order to survive in a combative world. She emphasised that transgender people have an ability to engage with body image and empathy in a way that reflects the difficulties they face in a hostile world. Her personal narrative, detailing the struggles and triumphs of growing up transgender, captivated the audience and underscored the urgent need for acceptance and support for the transgender community.

Katherine also addressed the alarming rates of suicide attempts among transgender people, attributing these to societal, environmental, and financial factors. She urged the audience to advocate for mental health support and anti-discrimination measures to improve the well-being of transgender people.

Linda Boyd: Emotional Fitness and Revolutionary Leadership

Linda Boyd, the inspiring founder of Kleu, brought a wealth of knowledge on emotional intelligence and its role in transforming frontline customer interactions. With a successful track record in engagement consultancy, Linda has now set her sights on democratising access to emotional fitness.

Linda shared skills to combat the flight-flee-fawn cycle, such as building a practice of taking six seconds to reflect before making decisions to allow for rational thought to return after emotional overwhelm. She shared her view that emotional intelligence is a muscle that can be built up over time, and discussed how emotional intelligence can help to combat stressful work situations and overwhelming environments.

Rachel Cosgrove-White: Navigating Identity in the Defence Force

Rachel Cosgrove-White, a Navy veteran, shared her poignant and inspiring experiences as a lesbian in the defence force. Rachel’s story highlighted the unique challenges and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people in military environments. She recounted her journey of navigating her identity while serving, the importance of resilience, and the compassionate approach she discovered as her son came out as transgender.

Rachel emphasised the need for inclusive policies and supportive leadership within organisations to ensure that all employees can approach their work environments authentically and without fear of discrimination. Her presentation was a powerful reminder of the progress that still needs to be made to achieve true equality and acceptance in all sectors of society.

Gavin Loveday: Acceptance and Inclusion at Accor

Gavin Loveday, a long-standing team member of Accor, shared his heart-warming experience of acceptance working for the hotel brand. Gavin’s story of Accor’s encouragement and acceptance of his creativity through drag illustrated the positive impact of inclusive workplace policies and a supportive company culture. He highlighted how Accor’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has allowed him to thrive both personally and professionally.

Gavin’s experience is a testament to the importance of fostering an environment where all employees feel valued and accepted. His story inspired attendees to advocate for similar inclusive practices within their own organisations.

Empowering Discussions and Future Directions

The event facilitated meaningful discussions on the intersection of gender diversity and emotional intelligence, emphasising the role of empathy and understanding in creating inclusive environments. In-person and remote attendees were encouraged to reflect on their own practices and consider how they can contribute to a more accepting and emotionally intelligent society.

Encore is proud to have hosted such a transformative event, bringing together leaders and advocates dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of transgender issues, the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the military, and the importance of emotional fitness. By leveraging these insights, Encore continues to lead the way in creating inclusive, forward-thinking events that drive positive change in the community.

Encore in Fiji, proudly announces the launch of VULITARA, its dedicated technical training program aimed at fostering local talent and providing opportunities for the younger generation to thrive in the dynamic events industry.

Launch event highlights

The launch event was a vibrant and culturally rich celebration of the spirit of Fijian heritage and community. Held at Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spaon May 29, 2024, the event was a testament to Encore’s dedication to empowering local youth through education and opportunity.
The event began with a traditional Fijian welcome ceremony, featuring a meke dance performance that highlighted the cultural significance of the initiative. This was followed by formal introduction from Tim Keeling, Encore General Manager Pacific & Queensland, who emphasised the transformative potential of the VULITARA program.

Guests included community members from Somosomo village in the Yasawa islands, local dignitaries from Denarau, industry leaders, hotel managers and the aspiring trainees and their families, all of whom enjoyed the interactive sessions. One of the key highlights was the surprise presentation of the trainee’s personal gear, uniforms and equipment by three star players of the Fijian Dura national rugby team. . Next there was a live demonstration of Encore’s latest advanced technical production equipment the trainees will be learning.

The event also featured a cocktail function, allowing trainees and their families to connect with industry experts and mentors. This interaction aimed to inspire and motivate the young attendees, highlighting the supportive community that Encore fosters.

The launch event not only marked the beginning of the VULITARA Technical Training Program, but also celebrated the unity and collaborative spirit of Encore and the local community in Fiji. It reinforced Encore’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of industry leaders and contributing to the vibrant future of Fiji’s economy.

Program background

VULITARA, derived from the Fijian word for “Internship,” reflects Encore’s commitment to nurturing aspiring professionals and supporting their journey towards excellence. This initiative underscores Encore’s dedication to investing in the future of Fiji’s event production landscape.

The VULITARA program is designed to offer participants a comprehensive learning experience across various facets of event management, including customer service, sound engineering, lighting design, stagecraft, theming, sales strategies, and operational insights. Interns will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop essential skills under the guidance of seasoned industry professionals.

“Our ultimate goal with VULITARA is to not only provide valuable training but also to integrate successful candidates into our full-time team,” says Tim Keeling, Encore General Manager Pacific & Queensland. “We believe in empowering individuals to reach their full potential while contributing to Encore’s mission of growth and expansion throughout Fiji.”

“We are excited to invite passionate and driven individuals to join us in shaping the future of Fiji’s event production industry. VULITARA is not just a training program; it’s a commitment to Fiji and its people.”

Encore prides itself on being more than just an employer; it’s a community where individuals are valued for their unique talents and contributions. Trainees participating in VULITARA can expect a supportive environment where they are encouraged to connect with their work, customers, and peers, fostering personal and professional growth.

We are thrilled to announce an exciting project with Westlake Boys High School Auditorium, which saw Encore make a significant donation of audio visual equipment no longer in use in the business. Around 50 motorised theatre lighting units and other equipment has found a new home at the school, enhancing their capabilities for future productions.

Encore was upgrading the lighting rig at Auckland’s Cordis Hotel, and in doing so recognised that the installed motorised lights still had plenty of life left in them. Instead of discarding them, Encore made the decision to donate these units to the school.

The auditorium technicians are always looking for the best way to deploy their existing technology and the donated equipment will greatly enhance their existing systems. Additionally, students in the technical production classes will have the exciting opportunity to learn how to operate the advanced lighting units, further enriching their educational experience.

We eagerly anticipate seeing these lights in action during upcoming Westlake Productions. This donation not only enhances the school’s technical capabilities but also strengthens Encore’s commitment to ESG and our community.

We look forward to the school illuminating their stage with creativity and innovation in the years to come.

Encore is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Nodsle as Managing Director, International (APAC & EMEA). In his new role, Scott will provide strategic leadership and oversight for Encore’s operations in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific) regions.

Scott’s appointment underscores Encore’s commitment to strengthening its international presence and delivering world-class service to clients across diverse markets. With a wealth of experience spanning over two decades, Scott brings invaluable insight and expertise to his expanded role.

In his new role, Scott will be responsible for supporting Encore teams, partners, and customers, with a primary focus on driving business growth, expanding the customer base, and establishing a global network of support to ensure seamless service delivery.

As a seasoned leader with a proven track record of success, Scott possesses extensive experience. Coupled with his passion for fostering talent and delivering exceptional experiences, this makes him the ideal candidate to lead Encore’s international operations.

Scott joined Encore in 2000 and has held various key roles within the company, including Managing Director – APAC, Group Operations Director – EMEA, and Divisional Vice President of Southern US. His diverse background and deep understanding of the industry position him well to drive Encore’s continued success in international markets.

“I am honoured to take on this new role and excited to lead Encore’s international operations into the next phase of growth,” said Scott. “I am committed to empowering our teams, strengthening our partnerships, and ensuring that Encore continues to deliver outstanding experiences and events worldwide.”

Scott holds a Master of Business Administration and Management, as well as a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, both from Texas A&M University. He currently resides in Sydney with his wife and two sons.

Encore announced today it received a bronze medal from EcoVadis, the world’s most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings. Awarded during Earth Week, this medal applies to all Encore global operations, including international subsidiaries and Hargrove from Encore.

Encore earned a place in the top 11% of companies rated by EcoVadis in the Conventions and Tradeshows sector and in the 83rd percentile of 125,000 companies rated globally.

EcoVadis is the global standard for business sustainability ratings. The EcoVadis assessment evaluates 21 sustainability criteria across four core themes: Environment, Labour and Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement.

“We know that our customers are looking for partners that share an interest in taking care of people, the planet and demonstrating corporate responsibility and we are proud to be making meaningful strides in those areas,” said Patrick Sullivan, Global Director of Sustainability at Encore. “EcoVadis is a globally recognised benchmark of performance related to a company’s sustainability practices and to be recognised with a bronze medal shows our commitment. We are genuinely encouraged by the acknowledgement from EcoVadis to recognise our global efforts on our sustainable and social impact journey.”

Encores areas of success include outstanding policies in all four core themes (environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement), demonstrated results to promote diversity and inclusion to prevent discrimination, actions to support employee health and safety and career development, and measures to monitor and reduce consumption and emissions.

Encore has been certified at a regional level in APAC (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong) and DACHNL (Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Netherlands), and EMEA (France and Monaco, UAE, UK) in previous years. 

Scott Nodsle, Managing Director, International Operations which covers APAC and EMEA commented,

“We’re delighted to have received the global EcoVadis medal. This honour reflects the dedication and hard work of our Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) teams around the world, who are striving to make Encore a more sustainable company.

We recognise that our venue partners and clients are increasingly investing in sustainable practices and choosing suppliers and partners who share their commitment. This award is a significant step in showing that we are on the right track.”

EcoVadis’ business sustainability ratings are based on international sustainability standards such as the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and the ISO 26000 standard. The ratings provide an evidenced-based analysis on performance and an actionable roadmap for continuous improvement. Read more about Encore’s responsible business program, Committed to our People and Planet.