Lavinia Eastwood is the creative mind behind Eastwood Events, the go-to events agency for both international corporations and private clients. In the dynamic world of event planning, Lavinia stands out as a seasoned expert. With over a decade of experience orchestrating events for corporate giants like Nike, Shell, and Audi, she has become a trusted name in the industry.
Now, as the founder of Eastwood Events based in the vibrant city of Amsterdam, Lavinia continues to weave her magic, crafting unforgettable experiences across Europe for international businesses to discerning private individuals, with an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Meet Lavinia Eastwood, the creative mind behind Eastwood Events
At the helm of Eastwood Events, Lavinia has built a network of talented professionals who share her passion for perfection. Together, they work to bring their clients' visions to life, infusing each event with a touch of sophistication and flair that is synonymous with the Eastwood brand.
What inspired you to start your own event planning business, and what sets your company apart from others in the industry?
I’ve always been an extremely sociable person: I like to make people happy, bring ideas to life and I don’t shy away from a challenge. I was inspired to start my own business after working in the events industry for ten years and seeing how much support there is in the Netherlands for entrepreneurs, and how many opportunities there are to work with international companies here.
My career has allowed me to produce events and brand experiences for companies like Nike, Audi and the dating app Badoo (now Bumble). I know the power that great events have in launching brands and bringing people together. I moved across to Amsterdam from London in 2019, so I understand how it is to be an expat here and what it is to work for international organisations.
At Eastwood Events, we don’t put ourselves in boxes of organising only big budget corporate events: I also love working closely with private clientele to make magic happen for special occasions like milestone birthdays. We do it all!
Can you share a memorable event that you've organised or particularly proud moment of your career so far?
There have been so many, but one of the most memorable event I’ve organised was a networking dinner on Pampus Island during Money 20/20 one year. Guests were invited to an unforgettable experience that began with a historic sailboat trip to Pampus, a tour of its old fortress and a dinner against a backdrop of the island’s stunning scenery.
I always plan with "surprise and delight" in mind, so delegates were treated to speedboat trips back home after dinner. Another very proud moment was seeing my essay on the importance of events for businesses being published in The Start-Ups Guide to Communication last year.
How do you balance creativity and practicality when designing event concepts to meet client visions while staying within budget constraints?
There are so many ways to add creativity and unexpected elements to events, no matter what the budget is. We will often present three options, so people can see what their money gets them. I like to be realistic with clients and don’t believe in pushing prices past where people feel comfortable or trying to extract the biggest profits.
With our business events, it’s always about delivering a return on investment and this means being mindful of strategic objectives and goals and keeping them front of mind.
How do you relax when you’re not working?
I live by the water in Amsterdam-Noord which I love for its peacefulness. When I’m not working, you’ll find me in one of the gorgeous cafes and restaurants up here; I love Kometen Brood and NEXT on NDSM. The apple and wasabi oysters are to die for! I’ll also be walking with Bodhi, my two-year-old golden retriever, training for a triathlon in summer or planning my wedding next year.
How can people find out more about Eastwood Events and get in touch?
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