We interviewed Stephen Urmston, Founder of Initiative Beijing, an events promotion, marketing and PR organization located in Beijing with over 4,000 registered members.
http://initiativebeijing.jimdo.com/

What inspired you to form Initiative Beijing?
The inspiration of setting up Initiative Beijing comes from my past experiences organising HR Events for my previous employers.  Since I have been told many times by others “That I have a creative mind and should organize events which are different than other companies or organizations” This inspired me to to start Initiative Beijing to deliver new concepts and ideas to let people have fun/business with a entertaining touch.

How many events have your organized?
So far Initiative Beijing has done about 16 events of which 2 where corporate events

How is your group different from the others?
Initiative Beijing provides socializing /business and corporate events with a touch of entertainment and creative events with a touch of entertainment

How many registered members do you currently have?
Registered members are currently around the 4000, half are Chinese and the other half are westerners. Furthermore Initiative Beijing has just started providing key people who attend regularly VIP cards which entitles them to VIP events and 50% discount on general social & business events.

What is the key to your success?
Our key to success is providing unique events which others have not done or are not planning to create.

What are your biggest challenges in this line of work?
The biggest challenge is getting people to our events and promotion of the events, this is the same for all other event organizers and companies who do an event.

Besides SpeedNetworking Events, what other activities do you organize?
Initiative organises events such as Fashion Shows, Themed events such as Bollywood nights with Belly dance shows, Thai Nights, French gala nights, concerts, charity events and educational events and finally Company branding and press release events.

What is the most unique /creative event you have organized?
The Bollywood Theme night 2 weeks ago was very successful as a themed Indian night with 4 belly dancers and other forms of entertainment, but due to the National holiday and the fact it occurred 1 night before the Big joint chamber event,  the turnout that week was poor, but the creativity and organization was successful.

What can your guests expect at your events?
More unique forms of entertainment, more guests interactivity with the show, and unique themed events showing different cultures of the world.

How would you describe the people who join your events?
The guests of our events, social or business really is mixed from Chinese to Western and from young professionals to expats. We don’t focus on age or race. Everybody is welcome.

Since you started, have there been any changes in attitudes towards speeddating or Speed networking?
I think more and more people have heard about Speed Networking and it’s very useful to make new contacts, even if no business is made, you will always meet new friends, maybe even a relationship if not business and everybody will exchange name cards no matter what.

With all the events and promotions you organize, how do you find a balance with your personal life?
Finding balance with my personal life can be tough at times, but i keep my business life and personal life seperate from each other and dont mix the two.

What is your vision for the future of Initiative Beijing?
My vision of Initiative Beijing is that we are growing in brand day by day and learning what Beijing needs and doesnt need.