Resuming our Meet the Team Series, we got to know more about our Head of Innovation and Production Technology.

This week we are talking with one of Corey Thomson, Senior Producer, Show Director and recently appointed Head of Innovation and Production Technology at Veritas Events. As someone who is just as comfortable cooking up a storm at home as he is behind the production desk at the back of the room, we have a look at what fuels Corey and his drive to create events. 

I will be celebrating (officially) 10 years with Veritas Events this year. Prior to this, I was also an account manager at Veritas with my previous employer for over 10 years, so got to know most of the team very well before joining. 

My role within the company has recently changed. However, title aside, I would see my role as one of guidance and leadership to the rest of the production team and wider group. My new (lengthy) title is ‘Head of Innovation and Production Technology’. The role is primarily focused on finding new ways to help our clients (and our team) elevate their brand and event experiences. Researching, recommending and implementing new technologies, finding new industry trends and designing events that stand apart from the rest.   

I started out doing live theatre in school, honestly, it was just about getting easy marks. I stumbled into lighting design and the whole backstage thing and just loved it.  Out of uni, I found corporate theatre and I moved into technical directing and project management.  I feel so lucky to be able to do what I love for a living, but there are no more easy marks.  

I love doing what I like to call ‘the fun stuff’. It’s the creation and execution of event space and content design. Stage sets, lighting design, calling shows and ultimately making our clients look good!  

I’d like to think I’m pretty good in the design workshop on the tools.  I have helped create some pretty good stage sets and most of them didn’t collapse on the cast.  

That would have to be cooking. I love a weekend in the kitchen, at the markets, and spending far too much at my local butcher. A long slow roast, a summer BBQ or making meals for the week, it’s a form of therapy for me I think.  

Pamphlet (junk mail) delivery around my suburb, on a push bike. I was getting almost 1 cents a house.    

Book: The Galactic Milieu Trilogy by Julian May 
Movie: Star Wars ep. V
Song: Master of Puppets – Metallica

The People! I love doing what I do, but the people are what makes your job worthwhile.  

Three letters. G-I-N, but more recently it‘s an evening run. 

Probably hitting 20 years on the same annual event, with not only the end client but with Veritas as well.  Seeing the event grow from under 1000 people in Brisbane to now approaching 10,000 onsite in Melbourne.