Over the course of the CN 30underThirty programme, Conference News will be speaking to members of the programme about their professional journey and the causes they’re championing to shape a more inclusive, forward-thinking industry.
This week, meet Eva Phelan, senior creative producer at Heaps and Stacks. In this interview, Phelan discusses her passion for experiential, the importance of a work life balance and supporting communities.
What made you want to get involved in the industry and why?
Ever since my first role working as a production assistant at the Cannes Lions Festival, I was captivated by the events industry and I knew I wanted a career within the world of experiential.
From adrenaline filled days to bringing amazing creativity to life, working in this industry is both rewarding and exciting and I couldn’t imagine any other career path. Everyday I have the opportunity to blend my problem-solving attitude with organisation and imagination to create pop-ups, activations and campaigns that bring people together and create memorable moments.
What is the first career highlight that comes to mind?
One that always springs to mind first is Beats Residency- a cultural hub in the heart of Shoreditch that brought together music, art and culture during my time working for MKTG and Beats by Dre.Beats Residency was a physical space in Shoreditch created to inspire creativity and celebrate music’s roles in culture. It was a multi-purpose events venue that hosted a diverse lineup of exhibitions, music launches and pop-up events and brought together the communities of Shoreditch and the surrounding areas through talent, suppliers and our team.
I worked on this project for over a year and a half and the experience I gained was truly a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ kind. I was exposed to so many aspects of not only producing, but team management, building practices, council licenses … the list goes on!
What is the biggest challenge you have overcome?
I think the biggest challenge has been striking a good balance between work and life. It’s something I’m really passionate about and that I have been trying to champion for the past few months through some speaking opportunities I have been involved in.
I’ve lived in London for six years but I regularly travel back to Ireland as my partner lives there so it makes life a little busier when my days are filled with travel, long hours and also trying to fit in some exercise! But equally I love the fast pace and finding that balance, whether it’s making time for a walk or to be creative, I think some of our best work and inspiration happens in downtime so we need to support people and women especially to have that opportunity.
What have you learned about yourself since entering the events world?
That I can 100% go after anything I really want to achieve or do! I have a driver personality and I think my job as a producer feeds into my everyday life and general motivations. Working in the industry means we are seasoned pro’s at having plans A,B,C and D, so I think with that mindset, it’s easier to take a chance sometimes and try new things. As I always say “what have I got to lose?”
Based on this outlook, I set up The Experience Edit, an online space to celebrate and unpack global activations from around the world. Currently on LinkedIn and Instagram, I plan to develop The Experience Edit out on other platforms this year alongside setting up a stand alone website to offer resources and inspiration to marketers.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice when starting out in events, what would it be?
Get as much experience as you can and say yes to (almost) everything! Value every connection you make because you never know when those people are going to come back around. The industry is a VERY small place and your reputation is so important.
How important are schemes such as CN 30under30 and do you believe the industry does enough to support young professionals?
I think a lot needs to be done in this space, especially supporting young professionals. There is still a lack of education surrounding the industry as a whole and schemes like CN 30under30 help to break down those barriers and bring more awareness to the industry. The scheme promotes a sense of community and builds networking opportunities as well as shines a light on new and emerging talent within the industry.
How do you see the events industry changing over the next five years, and how do you want to be part of that change?
I think the events industry is ever-changing and it seems to be a wave that we all have to ride and enjoy! I hope to see change within the sustainability area of our industry and also brands supporting communities and smaller talent. This is something I always try to put into practise when working on events, whether it’s booking local artists or partnering with a neighborhood café as these small details can have such a huge impact on both the community and also the success of an event.
What is an issue or topic within the industry that you think is important and want to champion? Can you explain a bit about it?
Something I feel passionate about is work-life balance and how agencies and brands can develop a culture that offers people the space to combine what they love with their work. We are hugely lucky at Heaps + Stacks to have a flexible, supportive and respectful culture and my aim is to speak about this more widely, promoting this type of culture to other agencies and the brands we work with to allow people to have an environment to enjoy working within the experiential industry.
Why is this particular issue or topic important to you?
I think this issue is particularly important to me as I believe the industry can be challenging as people often have to juggle multiple roles both professionally and personally. The fast-paced, high-pressure nature of events, with long hours, weekend work and frequent travel can make it difficult to maintain a healthy balance. This is especially the case for women who have to navigate expectations around caregiving and family as well as progressing in leadership roles while managing burnout risks.
What do you plan to do to continue to champion/topic?
I plan to continue to speak about this topic and encourage others to set boundaries so they can cultivate a good work-life balance. I also plan to push for open conversations around mental health and burnout, especially for younger professionals and women in the industry. By mentoring others, leading with empathy, and holding space for honest dialogue, I hope to contribute to a culture where balance is seen not as a luxury, but as a foundation for long-term success.
What can the industry itself do to better champion this topic?
There’s a growing recognition across the industry of the need for more flexible working models, stronger support, and inclusive workplace cultures that don’t disadvantage those who set boundaries. We need to continue this movement and encourage and support others to build the career they want with a healthy work-life balance at the core.
The CN 30underThirty is a 12-month programme that recognises and supports young talent from the conference and meetings industry. Find out more about the CN 30 under 30 class of 2025 here.
