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 Gabriella Gittelmon, event manager at KIN London. Gittelmon turned her passion for organisation and people into a career creating vibrant, meaningful experiences. In this interview, she shares her journey so far, why confidence is key and why it’s time for the industry to rethink its relationship with alcohol to better serve all guests.
What made you want to get involved in the industry and why?
From the young age of 15, I knew that I wanted to spend my life creating experiences that people could enjoy. It felt natural to channel my knack for organisation and my love of people into something that makes the world feel a bit more vibrant. In a world that can often feel overly corporate or serious, I saw the chance to inject a little sparkle, and make sure people had fun along the way.
What is the first career highlight that comes to mind?
One that really sticks with me is a Christmas party I pulled together for 700 guests, a major high-profile corporate client, big-name DJ, the whole works. I was still fairly new to the corporate events world and I managed to plan and execute the entire thing in just three weeks all while juggling seven other events that same season. The night went off without a hitch, which felt like a huge win. It was one of those “okay, I’ve got this” moments.
What is the biggest challenge you have overcome?
One of the biggest challenges has definitely been learning how to assert myself, especially early on, when I looked young and was walking into rooms full of people with far more experience than me. In events, you’re often managing suppliers, clients, talent and guests and they all need to trust that you’re in control. At first, it was tough balancing authority with approachability, especially when I didn’t always feel like the most experienced person in the room. But over time, I learned how to lead with confidence, communicate clearly and back myself, even when my inner voice was still catching up.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice when starting out in events, what would it be?
I’d tell her to trust that she belongs in the room. It’s so easy to second-guess yourself when you’re starting out, especially in such a fast-paced, high-pressure industry – mistakes are inevitable with so many moving parts. But the truth is, your perspective and energy are valuable, even if you’re the youngest person at the table. Oh, and maybe also: take a deep breath, the last-minute chaos is normal… and somehow, it always comes together!
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 we’re entering a more mindful and inclusive era in events, where creativity, well-being and guest experience are all being redefined. It’s not just about throwing a great party anymore, it’s about creating environments that genuinely consider the needs and preferences of all attendees. Over the next five years, I see alcohol-free options becoming just as standard (and exciting) as alcoholic ones.
I want to be part of making that shift feel not only possible, but seamless. Through the events I lead and the way I advocate within my company and the industry, my goal is to help shape a future where every guest feels seen, included and celebrated.
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?
The issue I’m championing is the overwhelming emphasis on alcohol at events (and therefore encouragement of over-drinking) and the lack of inclusivity and genuinely good options for people who don’t drink (or are choosing to moderate).
Right now, non-drinkers too often get the short end of the stick: basic soft drinks with no flare or creativity, no effort in presentation and limited visibility. That might seem like a small thing, but it sends a big message about who the event is really designed for and then guests may end up drinking when they didn’t necessarily want to, because it didn’t really feel like they had a choice.
This isn’t about removing alcohol, it’s about offering genuine choices and showing the same creativity and care to non-alcoholic options. It’s about making people feel included, whether they’re abstaining for health, religious, or personal reasons, or simply don’t feel like drinking that night.
Also, if you’re not drinking, chances are you probably don’t want to draw attention to it and so having the same classy glassware and the same classy drink, no one has to know there’s no alcohol in it – you can just blend in. Inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword – it’s in the details. We cater for all dietary requirements – vegan, gluten-free, Halal – so why is the events industry so slow to catch up when it comes to drinks?
Why is this particular issue or topic important to you?
This matters to me on a deeply personal level. I recently have embarked on my own alcohol-free journey and it completely changed how I saw the industry. Suddenly, I was aware of how exclusionary some event environments can feel, not because anyone intends them to be, but because we’re so used to alcohol being the default.
Experiencing that shift made me reflect on how many people must feel the same way but don’t speak up, probably because they don’t think they’d have any influence in change. It fuelled a real desire in me to do things differently, to create spaces where everyone feels welcome, whether they drink or not. That awareness now underpins how I design events and it’s something I talk about openly in the hope it inspires others to rethink their approach. This goes beyond what we’re serving, and extends to what kind of entertainment we’re providing. If the only option is to drink and dance drunkenly, we’re missing the mark on what true inclusivity means.
What do you plan to do to continue to champion/topic?
I’m so proud to say that I’ve already made it part of my approach and now part of my team’s culture. We’ve adopted a clear stance: we won’t work with venues or suppliers that don’t take non-alcoholic offerings seriously. That’s opened up some really important conversations and in some cases, even influenced venues and caterers to improve their drinks menus.
This year, I’m particularly proud of the changes we’ve made to two of our venue packages – Shoreditch Gardens and Christmas Social. We’ve elevated the drinks offering to ensure non-alcoholic options are given equal footing, in quality, variety and presentation. That means if we’ve got prosecco on the menu, we’ve got a no-secco too. If we’ve got a cocktail, we’ve got a mocktail that isn’t just a concoction of juice, but it’s got a non-alcoholic spirit in it. I personally spent time trialling brands to make sure what we’re serving isn’t just a “safe” soft drink, but something genuinely exciting and enjoyable. Because that’s the point, non-drinkers shouldn’t feel like an afterthought.
Beyond the events themselves, I’m committed to raising my voice as loudly as possible, speaking on panels, joining industry discussions and getting my name out there to advocate for change. The more visible I can be, the more I can push the industry to rethink its approach and create truly inclusive experiences for everyone.
What can the industry itself do to better champion this topic?
The industry can start by taking the “non” out of “non-alcoholic” – stop treating it like a secondary category and start seeing it as a central part of the guest experience. That means investing in great products, training staff to talk about them confidently and presenting them with the same attention to detail – proper glassware, tray service, even pairing suggestions. It means caterers and venues not trying to charge extra to have it included in the package, in the same way you wouldn’t ask that of a vegetarian.
It also means rethinking the culture. Events don’t need to revolve around alcohol to be enjoyable or memorable. Pushing more day-time events (especially in the summer) can help take the focus of alcohol away too. We need to be designing experiences that encourage genuine connection, creativity and fun, with or without a drink in hand, rather than relying on ‘liquid courage’ to form connections. By doing that, we make space for more people to feel comfortable, seen, and included, and that, ultimately, is what makes an event great.
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.
