Ops Foundation – Practical Ops Training

Why Ops Foundation

From build-up to breakdown, logistics to visitor experience, the role of event operations has never been more critical with operations teams expected to deliver excellence at every turn. Yet operational training is mostly ‘on the job’, as an event is in build, open or break. This specially devised training course takes the experts from site and delivers them to you in an event environment, with the time to absorb, learn and get hands on.

It's the training we all wish we had undertaken early in our career.

What you will do

On this course you will:

• Explore the venue basement with Excel’s electrics team, pull mains, understand the infrastructure and learn just what it takes to power a show.
• Climb into the ceiling with the riggers, learn to identify what’s happening above the show-floor and just what it takes to transform the ceiling at your events.
• Drive a forklift and navigate obstacles across the show floor to get to grips with the importance of logistics… and clear aisles!
• Respond to a security alert and understand what it takes to make decisions on-site under pressure.
• Work hands-on with AV, understand the terminology and equipment.
• Build a stand using modular systems and fix graphics to see the difference a good brief can make.
• Understand and apply accessibility and inclusive design to enhance the visitor experience.
• Gain first-hand training in scheduling, budgeting and understand your place in the industry with two days in the classroom alongside industry legends. 

You’ll actually ‘do’ everything you usually only oversee onsite and spend time with the people who have been doing it for years to deepen your understanding of just what it takes to open a show.

“The perfect mix of classroom and practical; I can’t wait to take all this knowledge and put it into practice.”

Meet the team

Lead by Louise Kiwanuka, Founder of The Ops Nest and one of the most respected voices in event operations. With over two decades of hands-on experience delivering large-scale exhibitions and live events across the globe, Lou brings a blend of strategic insight, real-world know-how and genuine passion for developing ops professionals. Her deep understanding of both organiser and contractor perspectives makes her the ideal leader for this immersive, practical training experience.

Joining Lou are seasoned operations professionals from across the event industry who have delivered hundreds of major exhibitions, trade shows and live events. They’ll guide you through what you need to know, share stories, reflect and you can even add them to speed dial for that next moment onsite when you need a little advice!

Partners include bematrix, PSP Exhibitions, Full Vision, Hughes Bespoke, DSV, EFI, The Event Partnership, Creative Live