Meet Kristy Hogan: the venue-finding expert joining team XSEM

If you’ve spent any time in events over the last two decades, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Kristy Hogan. 

Known throughout the industry for her unrivalled venue knowledge, extensive network and ability to find the perfect space for even the most demanding brief, Kristy is going to play a key role in growing XSEM’s dedicated venue finding offering. With more than 20 years of experience across agencies including Hotel Desk, Team Spirit and Black Book, she’s built a reputation as one of the most respected venue specialists in the business.

It’s expertise that’s arriving at exactly the right time as we continue to strengthen our venue finding capabilities in response to growing client demand. And if you ask our CEO Dan Bardgett, she was always top of the wish list. “Kristy’s always been known in industry circles as the best of the best,” he said. “Her contacts, relationships and knowledge in venue sourcing are second to none.”

From university placement to industry specialist 

Like many careers in events, Kristy’s journey wasn’t mapped out from day one.

After studying leisure and tourism at school, travel and tourism at college and later tourism management at university, she simply kept following the subjects she enjoyed most. A university placement at an events agency was supposed to last 12 months. It turned into 12 years.

Twenty-four years later, she’s still doing what she loves.

Over that time, Kristy has become known for three things: people, places and partnerships. She describes herself as having a brain that’s wired to remember names, numbers and connections from years ago. Combined with thousands of venue visits throughout her career, it’searned her a reputation as something of a walking venue directory.

But what she’s most proud of isn’t a particular project or pitch.

It’s the respect she’s earned from peers, clients and industry friends along the way.

“The amazing words and recognition from established peers, clients and friends in the industry are humbling,” she says. “They mean the world.” 

Powered by people

For all her venue expertise, Kristy’s favourite thing about events isn’t actually venues.

It’s people. “100% the people,” she says.

“The relationships and memories created along the way. Some of my best and closest friends are people I have met over the years working in events.” 

That people-first mindset is one of the reasons she felt so drawn to XSEM.

When announcing her appointment, Kristy spoke about XSEM’s culture, describing it as a business with a collective energy and determination to make partners, suppliers and team members happy. That’s something that immediately resonated with her.

A brilliant time to be in venues 

As someone who spends her life keeping an eye on venues, Kristy couldn’t be joining at a more exciting time.

She believes the industry is currently experiencing a wave of exceptional hotel openings, with properties including Fairmont Cheshire The Mere and Waldorf Astoria Admiralty Arch helping raise the bar for luxury hospitality across the UK.

That knowledge and insight will be invaluable as we continue to develop our venue finding service, helping clients uncover the right spaces to bring their experiences to life.

Looking ahead

Just a couple of weeks into the role, Kristy has already immersed herself in life at XSEM. She’s currently supporting a range of projects, including a client activation in London, a global series of C-suite events, and a UK conference, while spending time understanding every corner of the business.

“My first two weeks have been spent learning each department and being an utter sponge,” she says. “I’ve had the warmest of welcomes here. I’m super happy to have joined the team.” 

And we’re pretty happy she’s here too.

One last thing…

Outside work, you’ll usually find Kristy tackling the hills around Saddleworth, exploring the Lake District or quietly competing with herself on her daily step count. 

But don’t be fooled by the walking boots.

She’s also a self-confessed adrenaline junkie who’s completed four bungee jumps, including a leap from Switzerland’s famous Verzasca Dam – better known as the spectacular dam jump from GoldenEye.

Pierce Brosnan had a stuntman… Kristy did it herself!

Which feels like a pretty fitting way to describe her approach to life and work – Throw yourself in. Embrace the opportunity. Never stand still.

After 24 years in events, she wouldn’t have it any other way.