Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Hear from Stephen O’Neill (Event Operations Lead) and Emma Wadee (Project Manager) for Tall Ships Aberdeen 2025 as they share how a strong and collaborative core team helped deliver one of north-east Scotland’s largest maritime events.
They explain how early workforce planning and securing specialist expertise across areas such as production, site management and health and safety were essential to delivering a complex event within a live port environment. They also highlight the importance of working closely with partners, including Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeen Inspired, to support delivery and connect with local businesses.
From managing scope and maintaining budget control to embedding a positive and inclusive team culture, Stephen and Emma discuss how keeping clear objectives at the centre of decision-making helped the event stay aligned to the original vision and ensured a high-quality experience. They also explain the importance of supporting staff and volunteers throughout an intensive delivery period.
If you’re planning an event, this session offers valuable insights into building and managing an effective event team from early planning through to delivery.
Find out more about events workforce best practice –
support.visitscotland.org/advice-support/support-by-sector/events-festivals/workforce
Learn more about planning and delivering events –
support.visitscotland.org/advice-support/support-by-sector/events-festivals
Mentioned in this video:
tallshipsaberdeen.com
aberdeencity.gov.uk
aberdeeninspired.com
Hear from Stephen O’Neill (Event Operations Lead) and Emma Wadee (Project Manager) for Tall Ships Aberdeen 2025 as they share how a strong and collaborative core team helped deliver one of north-east Scotland’s largest maritime events.
They explain how early workforce planning and securing specialist expertise across areas such as production, site management and health and safety were essential to delivering a complex event within a live port environment. They also highlight the importance of working closely with partners, including Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeen Inspired, to support delivery and connect with local businesses.
From managing scope and maintaining budget control to embedding a positive and inclusive team culture, Stephen and Emma discuss how keeping clear objectives at the centre of decision-making helped the event stay aligned to the original vision and ensured a high-quality experience. They also explain the importance of supporting staff and volunteers throughout an intensive delivery period.
If you’re planning an event, this session offers valuable insights into building and managing an effective event team from early planning through to delivery.
Find out more about events workforce best practice –
support.visitscotland.org/advice-support/support-by-sector/events-festivals/workforce
Learn more about planning and delivering events –
support.visitscotland.org/advice-support/support-by-sector/events-festivals
Mentioned in this video:
tallshipsaberdeen.com
aberdeencity.gov.uk
aberdeeninspired.com
