John Jossifakis discusses current trends in event management in 2022

John Jossifakis CSEP believes the events management space has come to a point where it’s far more than just organizing or creating corporate and personal gatherings. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Jossifakis has witnessed how event management has evolved and grown through the years. More than just growth in the size and capacity of the events, the world demands to see more than what’s already out there, beyond what it has seen in the past.

“The events committees are called upon to reach new heights, push the limits, and deliver performances that are so technically advanced that they give a new meaning to event management,” says Jossifakis. This trend in the industry will leave some organizers confronted with problems each time they attempt to create an event of professional standards; such is the case with major sporting ceremonies. After each major opening and closing ceremony, the world quickly shifts its attention to the next big thing and expects to see more. To meet audiences’, sponsors’ and organizations’ expectations, organizers need to have the technical knowledge and operational understanding while creating and executing high-profile events. This is evident with Olympic Ceremonies and the Half Time Super Bowl Segment.

Jossifakis has foreseen this trend and went ahead of the pack by educating and immersing himself in technical design, fireworks, pyrotechnics, and special effects design. He’s a member of the Pyrotechnic Guild International, an independent worldwide nonprofit organization of amateur and professional fireworks experts and enthusiasts. He was also invited on several occasions as a fireworks and special effects guest speaker during event industry gatherings in the USA, Canada, UK and the Middle East. Jossifakis has also secured the internationally accepted fireworks and explosives license from the Canadian government since 1996 to date.

The current trend in event management isn’t just about spectacular displays of fireworks and pyrotechnics. The events industry has also gone digital. Unsurprisingly, Jossifakis has gone a step ahead by gaining the Harvard Business School diploma in Entertainment Media and Sports in 2017 and the MIT Sloan Business School diploma in digital strategy.

Having worked for the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, the Doha 2006 Asian Games Torch Relay and Ceremonies, the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, the FIFA Club World Cup in 2018, and the Formula E ePRIX in 2019 and 2020, Jossifakis has gained an extensive background in sporting events and torch relays. He also has experience in event management for concerts, live events, and musical production, where he has produced the SCORPIONS MTV Unplugged in 2013.

Jossifakis' specialties include event design, production management, show concepts and leading technical design, special effects, and fireworks conceptualization.


Jennyfer Smith
Senior Journalist
https://www.afp.com