Sponsoring the VIP and Speakers Lounge for the second year running
K4 Group of Companies returned as the proud sponsor and host of the VIP and Speakers Lounge at the Event Production Show 2026, held at ExCeL London. The show, organised by Mash Media, is the UK’s largest gathering for the live events industry, bringing together professionals who plan, deliver, and innovate events at every scale. For the second year in a row, K4 Group delivered a dedicated space for industry leaders, speakers, and partners to connect, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Event | Event Production Show 2026 |
| Venue | ExCeL London |
| Organiser | Mash Media |
| K4 Group Role | Official Sponsor and Host of the VIP and Speakers Lounge |
| Year | Second consecutive year as sponsor |
| Duration | Two days of live industry engagement |
| K4 Representative | Nick Bartlett, Head of Mobile Services and Group Quality |
About the Event Production Show
The Event Production Show is the UK’s largest and most respected event for the live events industry. Organised year after year by Mash Media, the show brings together event planners, suppliers, production specialists, festival organisers, and thought leaders from across the country and beyond.
EPS has built a reputation as the place where the live events sector comes together to learn, collaborate, and shape the future of the industry. K4 Group is proud to support the event through our ongoing sponsorship of the VIP and Speakers Lounge.
Why We Sponsor the VIP and Speakers Lounge
The live events industry is built on relationships. While the exhibition floor is where connections begin, the real conversations often happen in quieter spaces away from the noise. That is exactly what the VIP and Speakers Lounge offers.
By sponsoring this space, K4 Group helps create an environment where ideas can be explored in depth, where speakers can prepare and reflect, and where industry professionals can have meaningful conversations that lead to real outcomes. It fits with our belief that supporting the sector is about more than delivering services. It is about contributing to the community that makes the industry what it is.
The Lounge Experience
The VIP and Speakers Lounge was designed as a calm, welcoming space for focused conversation and quality connections. Guests enjoyed:
- Fresh coffee and pastries throughout both days
- Live ice cream rolls from Roll Me Up (a crowd favourite)
- Refreshing drinks from Syrup Bar
- Warm, flaky croissants to pair with the good conversation
- A comfortable setting for networking and quieter industry dialogue
The goal was simple: when the talk is good, the refreshments should be too.
Main Stage Speaker Lineup
The Main Stage at EPS 2026, proudly supported by K4 Group, featured an exceptional lineup of industry voices. Each speaker brought a blend of real-world experience, creative direction, and strategic thinking that continues to shape the live events sector.
Day 1 Main Stage Speakers:
- Mandy Johnson, Superstruct Entertainment
- Ray Winkler, STUFISH Limited
- Barney Wragg, Unit1 Studio
- Sarah Bullen, The Goodwood Group
- Mel Wilds, Continental Drifts
- Beth Barrett-Wild, International Cricket Council
Day 2 Main Stage Speakers:
- Grace Noest, LS Events
- Jon Collins, LIVE (Live Music Industry Venues and Entertainment)
- Matthew Phillip, Carnival Village Trust
- Darrell O’Hora, DP World Tour
- Andrew Lansley, Attitude is Everything
- Tyree Sutherland, Kick & Play
- Laura Armstrong, LS Events
- Luke Mitchell, Boomtown Festival
- Anne Marie Chebib, UKCMA
- Alex Townshend, You. Smart. Thing.
- Russ Jefferys, MOVE Sports Marketing
- Fran Martin, FRUKT
Each session sparked ideas and conversations that continued well into the lounge throughout the show.
Distinguished Guests at the Lounge
Beyond the Main Stage, the VIP and Speakers Lounge welcomed several distinguished guests whose voices add real weight to the industry.
Unmesh Desai, London Assembly Member
We were honoured to welcome Unmesh Desai to the VIP and Speakers Lounge. As the London Assembly Member for City and East, Mr Desai is a leading voice on policing and crime in London. His deep expertise in public safety and community resilience makes him a vital voice for the events industry, and his presence sparked meaningful conversations about safety, security, and the role of the sector in public life.
Afroza Begum, Women’s Empowerment Advocate
We were also proud to welcome Afroza Begum, a powerful advocate for women’s empowerment. Through her platform, she champions confidence, self-worth, and representation for women at every stage of life. Her presence brought a different kind of strength to the conversation, one rooted in resilience, authenticity, and community.
Murtaza Ali Shah, Senior Journalist
Murtaza Ali Shah, London-based senior journalist for Geo News and The News International, also joined us at the lounge. Known for his investigative reporting and political coverage on UK-Pakistan affairs, his presence added an international perspective to the discussions taking place.
Our Partners at EPS 2026
A successful lounge is never built alone. We were joined by exceptional partners who added value to the overall experience.
Tech and Perimeter Solutions
Orbis Protect and Qdos Event Hire showcased innovative solutions in security technology and event infrastructure. Their presence brought real substance to the lounge and gave visitors a chance to see industry-leading products up close.
Refreshments and Atmosphere
Roll Me Up kept guests smiling with their live ice cream rolls, while Syrup Bar served up refreshing drinks throughout both days. Both added warmth, energy, and a bit of fun to the space.
Event Community
We had the pleasure of connecting with partners from across the industry including the United Kingdom Crowd Management Association (UKCMA), Continental Drifts, and Rent a Dinosaur. Each conversation reminded us why this community is such a special one to be part of.
Day 1 Highlights
The show opened with strong energy. Guests arrived early, the lounge filled up quickly, and the first set of speakers got the conversations flowing. K4 Group’s Nick Bartlett, Head of Mobile Services and Group Quality, represented us throughout the day, connecting with partners, guests, and new faces across the industry.
Fresh coffee, pastries, and the now-famous ice cream rolls kept the space buzzing. By the end of day one, it was clear the lounge had become more than a break from the show floor. It had become a destination in its own right.
Day 2 Highlights
Day two brought even more energy. The lounge became a true hub for insights, ideas, and collaboration. Industry professionals, partners, and clients moved in and out throughout the day, using the space for quick catch-ups, long conversations, and new introductions.
The guest speakers sparked deeper discussions on the state of the industry, the future of live events, and the importance of community. It was exactly the kind of atmosphere we hoped to create when we first signed on as sponsor.
Supporting the Industry We Serve
K4 Group’s involvement at the Event Production Show is guided by respect for the industry and the people who shape it. We recognise that meaningful progress comes from listening, learning, and creating space for thoughtful exchange.
By sponsoring the VIP and Speakers Lounge, we aim to contribute to an environment where experience is shared openly, challenges are explored constructively, and future leaders are encouraged to think with purpose and responsibility. It is a modest but sincere contribution to a sector built on collaboration, resilience, and a shared commitment to doing better together.
A Sincere Thank You
To Mash Media, thank you for once again bringing the industry together with the same passion, energy, and commitment you deliver every year.
To our partners Orbis Protect, Qdos Event Hire, Syrup Bar, and Roll Me Up, thank you for bringing your brands and your energy to our space.
To every guest, speaker, and partner who walked through the VIP and Speakers Lounge, thank you for the conversations and connections that made it memorable.
Here’s to continuing to protect, support, and deliver at the highest level.
About K4 Group
K4 Group of Companies is a UK-based multi-service provider based in Hounslow, London. Through six specialised businesses including K4 Security, K4 Medical, K4 Training, K4 Workforce, K4 CCTV, and K4 Global, we deliver integrated solutions across events, construction, retail, corporate, education, and hospitality sectors.
We are SIA ACS approved, ISO certified, and proud members of several UK industry bodies. Supporting the industries we serve is at the heart of everything we do.