Pelican Events was founded in 2000 by Jonathan Needs and James Burke to develop a series of specialised business to business meetings forums across a range of industry sectors. Having spent long periods in the hospitality and exhibition sectors themselves Jonathan and James decided the time was right to introduce a new platform for buyers and suppliers to build lasting relationships within the Hospitality, Spa and Fitness Industries.

Each event organised by Pelican Events brings together buyers and suppliers in an innovative two and a half day programme of face to face meetings, allowing delegates to talk business and network with their peers in a way that is simply not possible with traditional exhibitions and conferences. All forums are held away from major cities primarily to allow delegates to conduct pre-selected meetings outside their normal working environment, paving the way for greater understanding on both sides. Delegates who regularly attend our events believe them to be the most time effective and most productive they have ever encountered.

Since 2000, Pelican events have successfully launched the annual HOTEC ASIA, HOTEC MIDDLE EAST and SIBEC ASIA events which are all run as joint ventures with McLean Events, our partner company who run sister events in the UK, Europe and North America.

JONATHAN NEEDS – Director
Jonathan spent nearly twenty years in hotel and catering operations both in the UK and Europe, including working in hotels in Switzerland, running mainline station catering businesses in London and Manchester, and latterly being Operations Manager for Calendars Restaurants and Muswells Café Bars. He is still a member of the HCIMA.

Following that, he spent eight years in trade exhibitions with Blenheim / Miller Freeman, culminating in running a large, biennial, international food and drink exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham.

After deciding to leave the corporate world in 2000, he and James Burke formed Pelican Events. Hotec Asia, the first of their forums was launched in March 2001.

JAMES BURKE – Director
James is also a veteran of the hospitality industry, having worked for a number of years in top restaurants in London.

He then joined McLean Publishing as Sales and Marketing Manager, and was jointly responsible for the launch of the very first Business Meetings Forum in Asia – namely Aspec 98. Shortly afterwards, McLean was sold to a large U.S. publishing company, whereupon James moved to Speakers International, a leading Corporate Development company based in London, where he worked for two years as an Account Director.

Having always had the desire to run his own business, James linked up with Jonathan in 2000 to form Pelican Events.


SOFI KHAN – Delegate Manager
Sofi, a specialist in delegate liaison, ensures that all Pelican forums are backed by superb customer communications. Sofi worked previously at Sterling Group PLC, where she headed the delegate activities across 12 events.

Sofi's prime responsibility is to ensure that all buyer delegates are able to take advantage of all opportunities offered by the event. In addition, she ensures that each of the Seminar programmes run smoothly.

MIKE McCAFFREY – Business Development Manager
Mike is newly appointed and will work closely with our Supplier delegates. His background is in Travel and Aviation where he has worked with the major airlines and tour operators throughout the world. A career which started in sales has evolved into a position of understanding the value of matching customers with the right suppliers. 'I like to steer things away from hype and a quick sale, and gain an understanding of who needs who in the long term. It's a lot more satisfying that way'.

JO GRAHAM – Development Director
Jo has over 10 years marketing experience, initially working within the technology industry and then switching agency-side to work at several design and marketing companies. Latterly, Jo worked for a Top 10 UK brand design agency before joining Pelican Events to set up and develop its latest event, HI Design.

Throughout her career, Jo has excelled in providing solutions for effective customer communication. Her broad skill set, solid market understanding and experience combined ensure that HI Design exceeds expectations and delivers a successful forum for our delegates.

OLIVER NEEDS - IT Director
Oliver has spent the last 14 years running business events. A manager at Blenheim Group Plc, he left in 1994 to found McLean Publishing. At McLean as MD, he launched the first ever business 'forum' type event in Asia. ASPEC1997 - (for the petroleum industry) is now in its 6th year.

Other forums followed in Africa and Europe and in 2000 he played a significant role in the launch of Pelican.

In 2002, as MD, Oliver founded Cornhill Events, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sterling Publishing Group Plc (now SPG Media). There he conceived and launched many successful forum events including; LEAF; The Leading European Architects Forum, EBF; The European Banking Forum and GSF; The Global Semiconductor Forum.

Earlier this year he joined forces with Mike Murray, an old colleague from Blenheim, to launch Bond Events, and, based in the same office as Pelican they have just launched their first event – FALA 2005 - for architects in Asia.

Oliver designed the unique system which faultlessly creates the meetings schedules for all of our delegates – a crucial part of a successful forum. As well as continuing to do this, Oliver also directs our I.T. Strategy whilst running Bond.

JUSTIN WALL - Operations Manager
Probably the most experienced forum organiser in the world, Justin has headed the operations of over 40 business to business forums. At McLean Events, Justin headed all operations and logistical requirements for events in 15 countries and ensured the individual requirements of some 2,500 delegates per year.

Justin also runs the Pelican Events office in Brisbane, Australia.

DEBBIE WILSON – Operations
Debbie has worked on almost as many events as Justin for both McLean and Pelican over the last four years. Hers is the first face that most delegates see when they arrive at the hotel, and she has more experience in sorting out delegates problems than most.

Debbie works with Justin in Brisbane.