William O'Toole is a leading trainer and consultant in the events industry around the world. He has worked on events in over 40 countries and his vast experience is distilled in his three international textbooks on event management and event strategies. Recently he developed the events strategies for Dubai, the Supreme Commission for Tourism in Saudi Arabia and the European Commission in Jordan. His workshops are replete with current examples of events and include the development of an event management system for each of the workshop participants.

On the final day of training each person takes away a raft of information, checklists and a template system they can use immediately for their next event.

A small sample of the organisations that have sent their staff for training include: Zain, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, United Nations, Dubai Shopping Festival, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Ernst and Young, Emaar Properties, Department of Civil Aviation.

William developed events ranging from corporate events to festivals to conferences. This front line experience combined with a understanding of the underlying management processes, led William to write the first leading global textbook on event management. His adaptation of project management and risk management to events is used by event teams around the world. His latest international textbook, Events Development and Feasibility, demonstrates how countries, regions, cities and companies can build an effective events portfolio that maximise their value and the return on investment.

His workshops and training sessions are well known for imparting experience and knowledge in a captivating manner. At the same time they are delivered with a solid foundation in project and risk management. William originated the Event Management Body of Knowledge (EMBOK) and is a key advisor to the International Competency Standard in Event Management.

His recent workshops and consultancies include the United Nations in the Sudan and Uganda, Qatar Foundation, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and the International Festival and Events Association. His work over six years in Saudi Arabia included increasing event management competency with numerous training session, developing curriculum, advising events and festival on development and growth and writing the tourism events strategy

Business & Educational Achievements (Degrees, Certifications, Awards etc.)

Qualification

* BSc (Mathematics) M.Eng ( Project Management), University of Sydney

* Certified Festival and Event Executive (IFEA)

* Executive Certificate in Events Management (UTS).

Conferences 2010 * Key note speaker at International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) conference

* Award judge for IFEA Cities Awards and the Middle East Event Awards

Publications * Festival and Special Event Management J Wiley, 1998, 2004, 2008, 2011

* Corporate Event Project Management, J Wiley, 2002 ( new edition due 2012)

* Events Feasibility and Development: from strategy to operations, Elsevier, 2011

Personal Info

William's idea of a holiday is to stay at home in the beautiful Bondi Beach, swimming each day across the bay. His family are all nearby and occasionally he treats them to a trip to one of the many counties he works in. He reads widely including culture, philosophy, mathematics and history. He spends too much time working on a software system for special events.