Global mindset: How we brought the Allwyn conference to life in London
26.11.2025
This year we headed to London with Allwyn, and because producing an event abroad comes with a very different set of challenges, we asked Lucka Talůžková, the project’s team leader, what the experience looked like in practice.
Luci, what was the key reason behind choosing London for the Allwyn conference, and how did this decision influence the overall event concept?
Lucka: The location is chosen by the client, and this year the choice fell on London. After Vienna in 2023 and Prague the following year, it was a continuation of the tradition of hosting the event in countries where Allwyn operates.
The location itself did not change the core concept — the goal was still to build and strengthen relationships across the company, create space for meeting colleagues, and exchange insights from different markets. The conference was built around the theme “Winning as ONE” and reflected the company’s mission, “Making Play Better For All.” However, we did need to consider the local operational reality — technical options, supplier flexibility, and the strict rules British partners follow. All of this ultimately shaped the practical execution of the conference.
What specific differences in production processes or working standards did you encounter in the UK, and what surprised you most about the local event culture?
Lucka: It was encouraging to see that the quality of our work fully matches international standards. As everywhere, this work is about people, and most British suppliers were genuinely willing to support us and respond quickly. On the other hand, I have to say that Czech suppliers tend to be far more flexible — in delivery timelines, willingness to work outside regular hours, and handling last-minute requests.
We were very positively surprised by the quality of services at County Hall — the technical setup, catering, and overall communication were all at a very high level. At first, we weren’t sure whether they fully understood the standards of our event, but as the date approached, things kept improving. What was challenging, however, was venue branding and print production. I would say that Czech decorators and print houses operate at a noticeably higher standard.
How does working with British suppliers and venues differ from the Czech environment, and what new know-how did you take away from this experience?
Lucka: British suppliers have very well-structured processes and clear contractual frameworks that they strictly adhere to. One thing, however, is the same for both British and Czech clients: they expect top-level service.
What production challenges did you encounter during this international project — from logistics to local regulations and cooperation with on-site teams?
Lucka: One of the biggest challenges was logistics — transporting materials across borders, ensuring timely production, and securing a carrier who could also handle customs clearance. This requires precise documentation and early preparation, especially when working outside the EU. Since last-minute changes and reprints often happen just days before departure, it can become quite the puzzle.
Not having a reliable local “fixer” could have been a major challenge — someone able to quickly stop by the hotel to measure mirrors, check the state of ongoing pavement reconstruction outside the venue, and handle all the little tasks that start appearing as the event approaches. Luckily, we had one 😊.
In your view, where does the Czech production standard excel in international comparison? What gives Event Arena a competitive advantage?
Lucka: We’re strong in responding quickly to last-minute client requests and keeping budgets under control. We're creative in stage design and technical solutions when the venue allows it. We’re also used to working in smaller teams, which speeds up communication and the entire preparation process. Creativity is one of our key strengths — we enjoy the challenge of “doing things differently” and often deliver ideas that are original yet fully feasible.
And finally: what one invaluable piece of advice would you give clients planning their first international event? What should they prepare for the most?
Lucka: Go for it! An international event brings a special kind of energy, strengthens your brand, and opens new opportunities. You just need to start planning earlier than for local events — top venues can be booked up a year in advance, and participants also need time to arrange their travel.
And if you do decide to take the step, we’ll be happy to guide you through the entire process. We have experience not only across Europe but also with events all around the world 😊.
You can explore highlights from the event here.
