Experience

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  René Dee

  • Swiss Watercolour Exhibition Organiser

    • Jan 2020 - Present

    Organising a unique first-time exhibition of exceptional watercolours, drawings and prints, produced between 1912-1946 by my Swiss Grandfather, Maurice André KASPAR, at the Royal Watercolour Society's Bankside Gallery in London between 12-17 July 2022. Entitled, "The Life & Works of Maurice André Kaspar 1892-1946 - A Swiss Watercolour Artist & Architect Revealed" in the first UK Public Exhibition. The exhibition will portray scenes and events of historic importance in Switzerland, France and Italy during his lifetime, reflecting his architectural skills as an architect in many of the subjects he chose to paint. This collection has been assembled from many sources in Switzerland, the USA, South Africa, Zimbabwe and England over a 40-year period by René. Whilst recognised as a leading water colour artist by Carouge Museum, Geneva Switzerland (where 33 of his paintings are permanently in their collection) he is little known outside of this so a chance for his talent to be revealed in the UK.

  • Exhibition Organiser

    • Jan 2020 - Present

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  Museum of Military Intelligence

  • Chicksands, Bedfordshire, England

  • Board Trustee

    • Aug 2018 - Jan 2020
    • Chicksands, Bedfordshire, England

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  Military Intelligence Museum

  • JFC, Chicksands, Bedfordshire, England

  • Board Trustee

    • May 2017 - Jan 2020
    • JFC, Chicksands, Bedfordshire, England

    Developing and implementing plans to move the existing Military Intelligence Museum to a new site of national interest.

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  Friends of the Intelligence Corps Museum

  • Chicksands, Bedfordshire, England

  • Trustee and Deputy Chairman

    • Feb 2014 - Jun 2016
    • Chicksands, Bedfordshire, England

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  Ashdown Academy

  • Lewes, East Sussex, England

  • Expert Adviser

    • Jun 2012 - May 2014
    • Lewes, East Sussex, England

    Expert Advisor http://eventcourse.com/

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  Events Historian Services

  • Author and Events Historian

    • Jan 2004 - May 2014

    Author of "Sweet Peas, Suffragettes and Showmen: Events that changed the world in the RHS Halls", a book about the history of the Royal Horticultural Society's Halls and their event history since 1904. Published by Phillimore, an imprint of The History Press, in association with the RHS, the book was launched on the 4th October 2011 in the RHS Lawrence Hall.Researching, identifying and recording events industry matters of historical and educational importance for venues, local authorities, private sector organisations, charities, associations, and academic institutions in the UK and internationally."An intriguing and interesting social history into the key events that have formed the backdrop for modern day live exhibitions. The book offers powerful historical insights into the RHS, and tracks the events unique history and that of the city of London. This book Is well researched and provides a superb social, cultural, and anthropological history for events in the UK. Historical research into the foundations of events in the UK is an under researched area of literature. This book has paved the way for the future."Allan Jepson, PhDSenior Lecturer & Researcher in Event StudiesEditorial Board Member: International Journal of Culture, Tourism & Hospitality Research / Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events / International Journal of Event and Festival ManagementVice-Chair: Association for Events Management Education (AEME)Researcher: Marketing Insight Research Unit (MIRU) A part of Social Sciences Arts and Humanities Research Institute: http://tinyurl.com/clql886Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management Group Room M210University of Hertfordshire Business Schoolde Havilland CampusHatfieldAL10 9AB

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  London Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Member of Council

    • Feb 2011 - Feb 2012
    • London, United Kingdom

    One of 80 Members of Council acting in advisory capacity to the main Board of LCCI on all primary matters relative to the Chamber's work.

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  The Westminster Collection Limited

  • CEO

    • Aug 2008 - Feb 2012

    Personally financed and purchased Limited Company to set up new constitutional framework for a Board of 5 directors and 50 plus members to promote and market the very best venues and facilities in the City of Westminster. Responsible for strategic development, financial control, event management, marketing initiatives and public relations. Close and pro-active communication with all members in 3 categories. In 2009, at the height of the recession, TWC membership grew by 33%. In 2010, during a further deteriorating economic climate TWC membership grew by 100%.

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  The Westminster Collection

  • Founder and Chairman

    • Feb 2003 - Aug 2008

    Founder of innovative new marketing collective for venues in Westminster. Coined title and drove forward membership setting strategic direction, membership benefits and criteria. Created and launched new annual 'Showcase' events at the Royal Horticultural Halls. Managed all financial elements of the Collective. In 2006 established unique partnership with Westminster City Council and Visit London to conceive The Westminster Destination Guide that became an official Visit London Event Planner's Guide. In March 2008, I left the RHS to become an independent consultant Chairman of this growing marketing collective, provided important new guidance on its future structure and direction that led its present formalised structure as a not-for-profit limited by guarantee company, with a board of directors and agreed constitution that has enabled it to progress and develop further.

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  Royal Horticultural Society

  • Managing Director, Horticultural Halls Limited

    • Feb 1991 - Mar 2008

    Recruited to spearhead new branding, refurbishment and redevelopment of multi-purpose venue that became recognised as one of London' leading venue facilities. During the 17 years that I was with The RHS, I carried out multi-million pound refurbishment programmes to improve the product, developed highly productive and happy sales, marketing and operational teams, delivered increasingly strong profits to the RHS in order to fund their charitable purpose, became known and respected for what I had achieved within the event industry and was active in many different industry groups.These included:-1. Founder member of Unique Venues of London in 19932. Being a member of the London Tourist Board & Convention Bureau Advisory Group for 7 years3. Deputy Chairman of the British Exhibition Venues Asociation for 2 years4. Visit London Business Tourism Champion for 2 years5. A member of the LDA Central London Partnership's Advisory Committee for 2 years6. Chairman of the Victoria Partnership's Tourism and Culture Group for 1 year.7. Advised the Cabinet Office, the Metropolitan Police and local government representatives on venue selection, planning and processes in the event of civil emergencies where Family Assistance Centres would be required to be hired or requisitioned.In 1997 launched innovative International Festival of Chocolate at Royal Horticultural Halls that ran for 2 years.

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  TABS PR

  • Managing Director

    • 1989 - 1991

    Responsible for a small public relations consultancy with a staff of 6, handling regional and national accounts across many sectors, based in Brighton

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  P.A. International Specialised Shows Ltd.

  • Sales Director

    • 1987 - 1989

    Sales Director of very first show that BBC Enterprises Ltd. staged and pre-cursor to the highly successful BBC shows that would follow. Responsible for organisation, sales and implementation of highly successful Sony Award-winning 21st Birthday Anniversary Show, the BBC Radio Show, at Earl's Court in October 1988. Negotiated and achieved over £500,000 of revenue in sponsorship, stand sales and show catalogue revenue. Producer of Show catalogue.

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  PA International Ski Shows Ltd.

  • Co-Organiser and Editor

    • 1984 - 1987

    Employed as co-organiser of the highly successful Daily Mail Ski Show staged annually at Earl's Court. Responsible for sales of exhibitors, floor-plan arrangements, PR and promotion, advertising and publication of premier ski title, Ski International. Worked closely with main sponsor, the Daily Mail and edited publication. Also responsible for promotional displays and liaison with national ski teams performing on indoor dry ski slope. Personally responsible for invitation and handling of Royal visit by H.R.H. The Princess of Wales to open the 1986 Show. Also initiated and ran first national exhibition and conference for the PR industry, PR-INDEX at Wembley Conference Centre.

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  Treasure Treks; Young World Holidays; Twickenham Travel; Transit Travel

  • Marketing & Promotions Manager

    • 1977 - 1984

    Responsible for all marketing, promotion and advertising for several special interest tour operators that ranged from inter-continental overland journeys to young people's holidays in Morocco. Included brochure production, press visits, agent FAM trips, corporate identity. Took me to many exotic locations involving special interest activities such as The Galapagos Islands, Red Sea Sailing, Tanzanian Safaris, the Amazon Jungle and Peru.

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  Rene Dee Expeditions Limited

  • Managing Director

    • 1969 - 1977

    Conceived, organised and directed a series of innovative and unique special interest tours and expeditions in and across North Africa. These include 10-day camel riding expeditions in the Moroccan Sahara, 10-day mule trekking expeditions in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco and a 6-week Great North African Safari across Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia and central Europe.