Q1: Can you share the vision and inspiration behind your event?
Our vision for our events is driven by a commitment to discovering unique and creative ideas that resonate deeply with the target audience. We are constantly exploring fresh approaches to connect people with the experiences we create. A great example is our SNEAKERNESS x SneakPeek project, which converged an entire community around a shared passion.
Another case that truly illustrates our vision was the historic visit of Pope Francis to Hungary. Our goal was to make this event a celebration that encompassed the entire city, allowing everyone to feel part of something genuinely special. This event reinforced our belief that there are no limits to creating impactful, complex experiences—every detail was crafted to touch lives across the community. For us, each event is a journey to push creative boundaries and make a lasting impression.
Q2: How does it feel to win the Conventa Best Event title?
It is a great honour for us that Lounge Event has won the Event Agency of the Year award at the Conventa Best Event Award competition. We are proud to have brought home awards in six categories from Ljubljana, including the gold medal in the Best Ceremony category for the visit of Pope Francis.
The events we organise in Hungary always receive significant attention, and these recognitions confirm that our creative and innovative solutions are not only acknowledged in Hungary but also internationally. At the Conventa Best Event Award competition, a 23-member international jury evaluated the submissions and selected our work from a record number of entries. This success is the result of close collaboration with our partners, clients, and team. I firmly believe that true strength lies in shared dedication and hard work.
I believe that excellence is not a goal but the foundation of everyday operations. For us, quality, organisation, and flexibility are inseparable. One of the foundations of business intelligence is the ability to adapt, allowing us to respond effectively to new challenges in a rapidly changing environment.
Q3: What were the features that made your event stand out?
Event planning is an incredibly dynamic field, full of unexpected challenges. One of the greatest difficulties is that we often have to work with very short deadlines, which always requires flexibility and quick responsiveness from the team. For example, we had just a month and a half to organise the visit of Pope Francis, during which we had to manage eight different programs over three days.
When organising our events, we frequently encounter tight budgets whilst facing high expectations. That is exactly what pushes us to come up with creative solutions. I believe that the best ideas often arise from these challenges. We always strive to apply the most cost-effective solutions whilst ensuring the maximum experience for guests and participants. Our events not only attract attention at home but also on the international stage, so professional execution is always a fundamental requirement.
Q4: Did you incorporate any new technologies or innovative ideas that contributed to the event’s success?
I believe in ideas. We constantly monitor the innovative solutions available in the event industry, and we strive to apply them both on the technical and creative sides.
Q5: Who was involved in making the event a reality, and how did you foster collaboration within your team?
The success of Lounge Group lies in its team of professionals. I can say that I am fortunate because the team members are committed to delivering high-quality events, both individually and as a group. The main driving force is the project itself; we seek out increasingly complex challenges, and the group collectively provides 360-degree services.
I believe that one of the cornerstones of business intelligence is adaptability and flexible problem-solving, which can only be achieved through well-prepared, knowledgeable, and creative colleagues. In the dynamically changing event management environment, it is crucial to be open to innovation and continuous improvement. Our work is built on three main pillars: sustainability, creating memorable experiences, and developing our team.
The development of the team is essential for success. Through continuous training and professional development, we ensure that my colleagues are always up to date with the latest trends and technologies.
Q6: What kind of feedback did you receive from attendees? How did you incorporate that feedback before or during the event?
During the planning process, the preparatory work involves close collaboration with the professionals on the client’s side. Both domestic and international clients set high expectations. When changes or new requirements arise during the organisation, our clients can count on our team’s quick response and creative solutions.
Q7: How did you measure the success of your event, and did it meet or exceed your expectations?
The primary measure of success is the event experience itself, reflected in participant satisfaction and, of course, the media opinions for our high-profile events that attract significant media attention. I am happy to say that all of our award-winning events have met these expectations, and perhaps we did not even dare to expect such a level of success.
“Creating memorable experiences is also of utmost importance, as our guests expect unique, personalised experiences.”
Q8: What events do you consider the benchmark in the meetings industry?
In this sense, I am a collector, and I am proud that our portfolio includes international sporting events, cultural events, protocol events, and festivals alike. For me, the nature or size of the event is not the standard of measurement but rather the professionalism of the execution and achieving the best possible guest experience. As I mentioned, sustainability is a key issue for me, and we strive to apply this principle to every event. Considering events themselves are fleeting experiences, a true measure of success can be how effectively and by what means we meet this criterion as well.
Q9: Do you have any plans for future events, or are there any new ideas you’re excited to explore after this win?
Focus on Sustainability – For me, sustainability is not just a professional expectation but a personal responsibility as well. Our goal is to ensure that our events have the least possible environmental impact, whether through carbon-neutral events, the use of recyclable materials, or digital solutions. Creating memorable experiences is also of utmost importance, as our guests expect unique, personalised experiences. To achieve this, we have introduced new services that focus on interactive programs and lasting impressions.
Q10: Is Europe still the leading events destination in the world?
Clearly, yes, many cities across Europe offer excellent features and infrastructure that make them ideal locations for major events. In my opinion, alongside cities like London, Paris, and Barcelona, Budapest also deserves attention in this regard. In recent years, Budapest has hosted world-class events such as the World Athletics Championships, Olympic Qualifier Series, Europe’s largest fireworks display on Hungary’s national holiday, and numerous events related to the EU’s rotating presidency. These have all proven that, in addition to providing a stunning backdrop for events, the city also offers the necessary local support and expertise.
Personal questions for Dia
Q11: Do you enjoy podcasts? Which is your favourite?
I have very little time for them, but I enjoy podcasts as a genre. I mostly see them as a way to relax and sometimes as a source of inspiration. I wouldn’t single out one particular channel; let’s say I impulsively choose topics that interest me at the moment. Most recently, I listened to a very interesting and useful conversation on effective communication with Generation Z and Alpha.
Q12: If you had an unlimited budget, what kind of event would you organise?
What’s the challenge in that? :) But all jokes aside, I would love to organise a complex international film festival—that’s something still missing from my portfolio.
To explore Lounge Event’s past projects, click here.
