THE WORKING GROUP
INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE EVENT PRODUCTION INDUSTRY .
Sophie Ridley
Sophie Ridley is an extremely experienced, qualified and knowledgeable Event Controller and Safety Consultant providing event management and safety services to the entertainment industry including event management, licensing, provision of event controller & safety officer services, risk assessments, medical consultancy, event management plans and safety documentation for events, activations, films, TV, sporting events, concerts, festivals, dance events etc, With nearly 40 years experience behind her she has worked on most of the major events in Ireland and with very many of the companies and crew this working group is proud to represent
KIM O CALLAGHAN
Kim is currently Project manager and Deputy Event controller for MCD’s Slane , Croke Park , RDS , Pairc Ui Chaoimh and Aviva shows
Over the years Kim has held a variety of roles in the events industry both in Ireland and internationally including in 2015-2017 Kim held the position of Chief Operating Officer The Olympia Theatre during the refurb of the Iconic Dublin Venue,
Kim was also Deputy Project Manager and Deputy event controller for the Phoenix Park and Croke Park aspects of the 2018 Papal visit to Ireland, and over the last few years Kim has also worked on CPLT20 cricket in the Carribean and on large scale boxing events in New York , Vegas, London, Belfast and Scotland.
Kim is the Founder and CEO of EvntzApp who launched the #WeAreTheSupportAct initiative to support Crew in the Live Events Industry in Ireland
Director Minding Creative Minds
Liam Fitzgerald
Liam has been working in the entertainment industry, for over 25 years. Despite starting in sound, he as mostly worked in lighting and venue technical management. Holding permanent posts in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (TM), Draiocht (TSM) and the Stage Lighting Centre; along with many short term lighting, production management, and consultant contracts in Theatre, Music, Broadcast, Special FX and Corporate entertainment.Liam has been a Board member of AIST for over 10 years, currently Chair and previously Secretary for 6 Years.
PEARSE DOHERTY
Head of Production European Capital Of Culture Galway 2020
Head of Production Aiken Promotions (ED Sheeran Irish Tour 2018, Aviva, RDS , 3 Arena , SSE Arena, Iveagh Gardens )
Site Manager Electric Picnic 2013- 2017
Site Manager Sea Sessions 2012 - 2017
Tour Manager Tommy Tiernan 2005 - 2017
Co- Founder of Galway Comedy Festival
Saw Doctors ( 1988 - 2002)
Neil Burke
Neil is owner and MD of Archetype with 15 years experience in the Event Industry. Archetype is a creative production company that specialises in creating and programming unique experiences in the world of music arts and culture.
Some recent Production/Programming Projects include. St Patricks Festival, Laya City Spectacular, Guinness Storehouse After Dark (20 Million Visitor Celebrations), Love Sensation *(two-day Music LGBTQ Festival ), Forever Young (80s Festival), Wine & Cheese at the Iveagh Gardens, Playstival Childers Festival and Starlight Cinema Drive Thru Cinema in Naas
Archetype is also the controlling company for a number electronic music brands Including, District 8, Life Festival, Boxed Off and Index
Joe Betts
Joe has been working in the Events industry for 16 years, having started his career in Lighting, working as a Lighting
Tech in An Glór theare, Ennis, followed by touring with Pat Shortt and more recently Walking on Cars as Lighting Designer.
He quickly moved to rigging, and is MD of Made for Stage Ltd, where he works primarily on design and engineering projects.