Atticus Events

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Atticus Events deliver high quality effective business-to-business platforms for the hotel and other industries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, enabling senior level professionals of key positions to talk business with suitable supplier companies from around the world.

Background

Atticus Events, is the newly formed company of Jonathan Needs and James Burke, created following the recent acquisition of their previous company, Pelican Events, which they formed in 2000. Prior to acquisition Pelican Events had established and developed, SIBEC Asia, HOTEC Asia and HOTEC Middle East, the latter two of which they now currently manage on behalf of McLean Events International, the new owners of the HOTEC events. Alongside these two events, they run their most recent development, HI DESIGN, which was created in 2006 and is a fully owned asset of Atticus Events.

Jonathan and James have extensive knowledge and well developed experience of the hospitality and exhibition sectors, and continue their aim, when founding Pelican Events, to develop a series of specialised business to business meetings forums across a range of industry sectors, introducing a new platform for buyers and suppliers to build lasting relationships within the Hospitality and other Industries.

A unique format

Each event organised by Atticus Events has a unique format combining face-to-face meetings, networking functions, a product showcase and a seminar programme. Bringing together buyers and suppliers in this innovative two and a half day programme, allows delegates to talk business and network with their peers in a way that is simply not possible with traditional exhibitions and conferences.

All forums are held in a top hotel venue to allow delegates to conduct pre-selected meetings in pleasant surroundings outside their normal working environment, paving the way for greater understanding on both sides.
Delegates who regularly attend our events believe them to be the most time effective and most productive they have ever encountered.

Click here to find out more about what our delegates say.

Meet the Team

Small yet dedicated, the Atticus team take pride in providing each and every delegate with a seamless service, from initial contact to the event itself. Professional but friendly in approach we take care of all your needs leaving you to not only maximise your time for your business but also have fun and enjoy the event.

JONATHAN NEEDS – Director
Jonathan spent nearly twenty years in hotel and catering operations both in the UK and Europe, including working in hotels in Switzerland, running mainline station catering businesses in London and Manchester, and latterly being Operations Manager for Calendars Restaurants and Muswells Café Bars. He is still a member of the HCIMA.

Following that, he spent eight years in trade exhibitions with Blenheim / Miller Freeman, culminating in running a large, biennial, international food and drink exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham.
After deciding to leave the corporate world in 2000, he and James Burke formed Pelican Events, and now Atticus Events. HOTEC Asia, the first of their forums, was launched in March 2001.

JAMES BURKE – Director
James is also a veteran of the hospitality industry, having worked for a number of years in top restaurants in London.

He then joined McLean Publishing as Sales and Marketing Manager, and was jointly responsible for the launch of the very first Business Meetings Forum in Asia –Aspec 98. Shortly afterwards, McLean was sold to a large U.S. publishing company, whereupon James moved to Speakers International, a leading Corporate Development company based in London, where he worked for two years as an Account Director.
Having always had the desire to run his own business, James linked up with Jonathan in 2000 to form Pelican Events, and now Atticus Events.

SOFI KHAN – Delegate Manager
Sofi, who has been with the team since February 2004, is a specialist in delegate liaison and ensures that all Atticus forums are backed by superb customer communications. Sofi previously worked at Sterling Group PLC, where she headed the delegate activities across 12 events.

Sofi's prime responsibility is to ensure that all buyer delegates are able to take advantage of all opportunities offered by the event. In addition, she ensures that each of the Seminar programmes run smoothly.

JO GRAHAM – Marketing & Development Director
Jo has over 10 years marketing experience, initially working within the technology industry and then switching agency-side to work at several design and marketing companies. Latterly, Jo worked for a Top 10 UK brand design agency before joining Pelican Events, now Atticus Events to set up and develop its latest event, HI Design.

Throughout her career, Jo has excelled in providing solutions for effective customer communication. Her broad skill set, solid market understanding and experience combined ensure that all our events exceed expectations and deliver a successful forum for our delegates.

OLIVER NEEDS - IT Director
Oliver designed the unique system that faultlessly creates the meetings schedules for all of our delegates – a crucial part of a successful forum. As well as continuing to do this, Oliver also directs our I.T. Strategy whilst running Bond Events, his most recent business venture. Oliver also played a significant role in the launch of Pelican Events, and now Atticus Events.

Oliver has spent the last 14 years running business events. Leaving Blenheim Group Plc in 1994 to found McLean Publishing, he launched the first ever business 'forum' type event in Asia – ASPEC 97 (for the petroleum industry) and other forums followed in Africa and Europe.

He then founded Cornhill Events, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sterling Publishing Group Plc (now SPG Media) conceiving and launching many successful forum events including; LEAF; The Leading European Architects Forum, EBF; The European Banking Forum and GSF; The Global Semiconductor Forum.
Bond Events, was founded with previous Blenhiem colleague, Mike Murray, and launched with their first event – FALA 2005 - for architects in Asia. They also now run Arc-US and Arc – Interiors US.

JUSTIN WALL - Operations Manager
Probably the most experienced forum organiser in the world, Justin has headed the operations of over 40 business to business forums. At McLean Events, Justin headed all operations and logistical requirements for events in 15 countries and ensured the individual requirements of some 2,500 delegates per year. Justin also runs the Atticus Events office in Brisbane, Australia.

DEBBIE WILSON - Operations
Debbie has worked on almost as many events as Justin for both McLean and Pelican over the last four years. Hers is the first face that most delegates see when they arrive at the hotel, and she has more experience in sorting out delegates problems than most. Debbie works with Justin in Brisbane.