How ADEBIMPE SULEMAN Hit It BIG With Norwood Events

In the events business today, there is one lady who is doing so well. She is Adebimpe Suleman. She understands the business so well. She runs a company called Norwood Events.

Recently, she spoke to CityPeople about her success story. Below are excerpts of the interview.

 

Norwood Events has become one of the leading events management companies in Nigeria. How did you achieve that?

 

We thank God for His mercies at all times. Every new beginning starts with a step; a focus and determination to drive into your vision.

The promoters of Norwood Events are experienced and professionals in various fields of endeavor and they carved their event vision by encapsulating what would delight clients about their events through strategic planning and execution.

 

The idea to set up Norwood Events came up through one of the Shareholders who worked with Recruit Events in the UK and participated in many events at the Wembley Arena, Cheltenham, Croydon, Essex, Luton, Watford, Birmingham, Manchester and decided to bring like minds together in Nigeria to foster such professionalism as seen in the UK. Norwood Events is the result of that vision.

 

As the driver of this idea, our vision is to be the event of the first choice. The management looked at the event industry as one that must have strategic goals-success and class. We have paid our dues in the industry, having been in existence since 2007 (15 years ago). Our planning entails Zero tolerance for failure, hence every of our workforce and partners (Vendors) that we work with know our value proposition as a critical success factor and they key into it.

 

Besides, we set standards that must be met and after every event, we carry out a diagnosis of the particular event to see if we met both external (client) and internal (self) performance indicators.

We have our internal process improvement matrix through the evaluation of strategic foci in the industry. Every event handled by Norwood Events has always been better than the last. We thank God for where we are, while not losing focus at any point in time.

 

We also thank our cherished clients for believing in our capacity as an organization. They are part of Norwood Events Network at all times. Our strategic goal has always been to make our clients’ events as successful as they would want them to be, be it a Corporate or Social event.

 

What are the services you offer your clients?

 

Norwood Events is a complete consultancy event company. We undertake planning, advisory and implementation including engagement of seasoned providers who understand what is required to make events successful in terms of support.

 

Event Industry is so wide that you cannot be Jack of all Trade today, rather you must specialize in your areas of interest. Norwood Events area of specialization is Planning and Management.

You don’t see us handling planning and catering or drinks together. We outsource drinks and catering and all other areas rather than doing all the activities.

Since the commencement of event business, Norwood Events has anchored and coordinated Investment Summits, Exhibitions, Book Launch, Weddings, Funeral, Commissioning, FA Cup Final at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Insurance Week, Lagos State Events, End of Year celebrations; Trade Fairs and a host of others.

 

 

Obviously, a lot has changed about event planning today. Tell us about the new changes and how you are adjusting and coping...

 

Yes. There have been tremendous changes in Events planning today and it is due majorly to exposure, our nature as happy people (entertainment), training and the codification of Practitioners through a great and progressive Association called APPOEM (Association of Professional Party Organizers and Event Managers of Nigeria). Also, there has been a big investment in the industry through the acquisition of equipment used for events by members of the Association while also members have embarked on training and retraining within and outside the country respectively and this has exposed the industry to best practices around the world.

 

Event Industry comprises of Rentals, Caterers, Musicians, Disk Jockeys, Bouncers, Ushers/Stewards,  Alaga, Lighting provider, Compere, name it.

 

Hence you see the dexterity and deep involvement of many professionals who have cut their onions in the corporate world as part of the Association. 

 

Why did you decide to go into events when you did? What year did you start?

 

I am passionate about planning, organizing and coordinating. After some stints in the Fast Moving Consumable Goods Sector, I took an inner assessment of my skills and exposure taking cognizance of my God-given talent of planning and management of resources, I joined Norwood Events in 2016 as the Chief Steward/Event Executive.

 

Tell us about Adebimpe Suleman, her growing up, schools attended and working career.

 

Adebimpe Suleman (nee Adenuga) was born of Ijebu Ode/Epe parenthood, in Ebute Metta Lagos. She attended Bethel Nursery School for her Primary School Education and later Festac Girls Grammar School.

For my First Degree, I attended Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and my MBA with specialisation in Marketing at the University of Calabar.

I also possess an Associate Membership of The Chartered Institute of Pension of Nigeria. I have over 20 years of experience spent in Adean Nigeria Limited, SCOA Foods Plc and Ranona/Ollam Group where I left as Regional Manager in the Milk/Juice Divisions respectively.

 

I also worked in Arizona in the United States. I believe in training and retraining as a tool to enhance capacities and at all times, I have attended many events-related pieces of training, while I also train some upcoming youths aiming to take Event as a profession.  

I have travelled far and wide to undertake Events ranging from Wedding, Funerals, House warming and Corporate Events

 

 I have watched you closely at the events you have planned, and I have noticed the passion you put into it. What excites you about the events business?

 

There are 3 stages to the organization of an event.

The first stage is Pre Event; the second, being The Event itself and lastly Post Event.

A good planner must understand the ABC of Event Planning. Some of the ABC revolves around my two courses, Accounting and Marketing, while I also combine relationship management to complement the skills.

 

Every event starts with meeting a client for a brief to determine his/her desires for the event; expected guests, proposed venue, kind of ambience required; top of the range Vendors and so many things associated with the event.

 Planning takes a whole lot of time and if you cannot convince a client at your first meeting, forget getting that brief.

Two clients are never the same, but they have the same passion- which is to make their event a success.

 

My passion and attention to detail are the unique selling points at Norwood Events and our events’ experiences come to bear.

I am always excited when I see a lot of people engaged, to undertake one event. In short, the Event industry provides employment opportunities for so many people and we are positively contributing to the gross domestic product of Nigeria.