Our Editor talks to Millie Elston, Head of Events at a luxury, London-based event agency Word on the Street about the benefits an agency can bring to EAs, PAs and other event organisers. Millie brings valuable experience from the supplier side to her agency role having worked in an event catering business previously.
How has your experience from event catering business shaped your approach to delivering successful events for clients?
I believe it has given me a much more rounded understanding of what it takes to deliver a successful event. Having worked on the catering side, I understand the operational detail that sits behind the scenes, from timings and logistics to staffing, service flow and the importance of working within unique venue requirements. That experience has been invaluable because it means I can look at an event not just from a creative or client-facing perspective, but also from a practical delivery point of view.
Moving into the agency side has built on that foundation. It has allowed me to continue to develop strong relationships with a trusted network of suppliers and venues, and to understand how all the different elements need to come together to create a seamless experience for the client and their guests.
What makes Word on the Street stand out as an event agency?
Word on the Street is a UK-based event agency offering full-service event management for brands and businesses looking to create exceptional experiences in some of the world’s most desirable venues.
We work across product launches, corporate receptions and dinners, incentive programmes, awards ceremonies and immersive brand activations, managing every element from start to finish including venue finding and creative direction to production, accommodation, transport and guest logistics.
What makes our approach different is the level of detail, creativity and care we bring to each brief, and also our long-standing relationships with the industry’s very best suppliers. We look beyond the event itself to consider the full guest journey and the lasting impression it should leave, one of the first questions we ask our clients is ‘how do you want your guests to feel.’ This ensures every experience feels aligned with our client’s objectives.
EAs and PAs are often juggling multiple priorities alongside event planning.
What are the biggest benefits for EAs and PAs of partnering with a full-service event agency rather than managing suppliers and logistics independently?
For EAs, PAs and marketing teams, the biggest benefit is the experience and expertise we bring and the reassurance that we will deliver. Planning an event has lots of variables and can be stressful – particularly when you are managing multiple suppliers, budgets, guest lists, logistics and internal expectations alongside your day-to-day responsibilities.
Working with a full-service agency takes that pressure away. Instead of worrying about your production requirements or if each supplier is aligned, you have one experienced team overseeing the full process.
At Word on the Street, we manage everything under one roof. It means fewer email chains, fewer invoices and far less stress! Ultimately, the reassurance comes from knowing every detail is being handled by people who understand both the creative ambition and the operational precision required to deliver it.
You can help your clients in many areas of events from venue sourcing and creative concepts to production and guest management.
The event team at Word on the Street. Ellie is second from the left.
Where do you as an agency can add the most value and save organisers time?
Venue sourcing is one of the biggest areas where an agency can add value, particularly in a market as competitive as London. Securing the right space on the right date can be challenging, especially during peak periods such as summer party season or the end-of-year events calendar.
Because we work closely with a wide network of venues, we can quickly understand availability, suitability and logistical considerations, then present clients with strong options without them having to manage the search themselves. It is not just about finding a beautiful venue; it is about knowing which spaces will work operationally, commercially and creatively for the brief. From there, we can coordinate conversations, manage timelines and ensure the chosen venue supports the wider event experience from the outset.
Corporate events are increasingly expected to deliver memorable experiences as well as business outcomes.
What trends are you seeing, and how is Word on the Street helping clients create events that engage and inspire attendees?
At Word on The Street, we are continually researching what’s trending in the industry. We recently explored the future of luxury events on our website and sustainability sat at the heart of that conversation. The challenge is to deliver events that feel elevated, polished and memorable, while making responsible choices behind the scenes.
At Word on the Street, we believe sustainability should enhance the planning process rather than compromise the guest experience. That might mean working with suppliers who share the same values, considering waste and transport more carefully, or designing events where the creative impact comes from thoughtful detail rather than excess. A good event can deliver business objectives, but a truly memorable one requires experience, creativity and consideration at every stage. That is where an agency can add real value.
For an EA or PA considering working with an event agency for the first time, what advice would you give, and what can they expect from a successful agency-client partnership?
My biggest piece of advice would be to speak to an agency at the very beginning of the event process. The best events require time, not only to secure the right venue and suppliers, but to properly understand the brief, budget, guest profile and objectives. Bringing an agency in early means they can guide the process from the outset, rather than simply reacting to decisions that have already been made.
A successful partnership should feel collaborative and reassuring. You should expect clear communication, honest guidance and a team that takes the pressure away while keeping you involved in the key decisions.
I would also encourage anyone choosing an agency to look at relevant experience, previous projects and whether they understand the type of event you are trying to deliver. Events can be complex, but with the right agency, the planning process should feel structured, supported and far less stressful!
What’s been your favourite Word on the Street projects to date, and what does it reveal about the agency’s creativity, expertise and ability to bring ambitious event ideas to life?
That is a difficult question, as Word on the Street has delivered some incredible projects over the years. One that really stands out was a highly confidential event at a renowned Park Lane hotel. While I cannot share the finer details, it involved an exceptional level of production, high-profile entertainment and a complete transformation of the space.
It was one of those rare projects where every element had to work at scale, from the creative concept and guest journey to performers, staffing, logistics and behind-the-scenes coordination. There were more cast, crew, suppliers and support teams involved than guests attending the event, which gives a sense of the ambition behind it.
For me, it showed exactly what Word on The Street does best: taking a bold idea and delivering it with complete confidence.
You can find our more about Word on the Street in PA Life’s Recommended Suppliers directory.
