Meet Team Sleek: Emma Cooke, Venue Sourcing & Supplier Specialist
At Sleek, we love celebrating the people who make our events happen - the ones behind the scenes making sure every detail is thought about and every challenge has a solution. This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Emma Cooke (neé Da Costa), our brilliant Venue Sourcing & Supplier Specialist. She’s the person you want in your corner if you need the perfect location, the right supplier, or an inside track on the latest industry trends.
Emma has a wealth of experience, beginning her career in hospitality and events in the hotel industry before transitioning to a venue-finding agency and honing her expertise in sourcing exceptional spaces. Prior to returning to Sleek, Emma worked with a brand activation company, producing high-profile activations at festivals and pop-up events. Most recently, she specialised in venue finding for a diverse portfolio of clients, managing events ranging from intimate Christmas parties to large-scale conferences for thousands of attendees, as well as corporate off-sites across Europe.
We sat down with Emma to find out more about her role, the impact it will have for Sleek, and what exciting trends she sees dominating the event industry in the future.
Emma Cooke (neé Da Costa), Venue Sourcing and Suppliers Specialist.
What does your role as Venue Sourcing & Supplier Specialist entail?
My role is all about supporting the project team with the venue-finding side of events. When a brief comes in, I’m the go-to person for identifying suitable venues. If I am not involved in the project, I also help team members who are doing their own searches by recommending the best options and narrowing them down to save time.
The other side of my role is building and maintaining relationships with our suppliers. I make sure we’re working with people who align with Sleek’s brand and can deliver real value for our clients in the long run. It’s a mix of research, relationship-building, and a little bit of detective work to find those hidden gems.
What could a typical week look like for you?
Right now, my week is split between venue finding and supplier meetings. Since coming back to Sleek, I’ve been reconnecting with contacts at different venues and suppliers, as well as meeting new ones.
A lot of my time is spent researching - keeping up to date with new venue openings and suppliers, and finding options we might not already have on our books. If the team needs a particular type of supplier, I’ll dig into the market so we can provide the best possible service.
Having a dedicated Venue & Supplier Specialist is something Sleek hasn’t had before. With the company growing so quickly, it’s become essential. Venue finding takes longer than most people expect and is not always factored into project timelines. By having me in-house, the team can avoid contacting 20 venues themselves. I can narrow the list right down, which improves our conversion rate and cuts time and costs for clients.
How does your role help Sleek?
Researching and following up with venues and suppliers can be incredibly time-consuming, especially for team members juggling multiple projects at once. Sleek works globally, so venue searches often involve different time zones, which can slow things down.
By having someone dedicated to venue searches, I can drive the process forward, chase responses, and get quotes, while the operations team focuses on delivering events and liaising with clients. It’s all about improving efficiency and freeing up the team’s time so they can do what they do best.
What trends are you seeing gaining momentum in the industry?
One big trend I’m noticing is the growing demand for non-alcoholic options. The events industry has traditionally been very alcohol-heavy - champagne on arrival, drinks receptions, and so on. But more people, especially younger generations, are choosing not to drink, whether for health reasons or personal preference.
This shift ties into accessibility and inclusivity. Not everyone wants to attend a reception where alcohol is the focus, so it’s important to provide appealing non-alcoholic alternatives.
Sustainability is also a continuing priority. Even over a year ago at Sleek, we were making changes like reducing red meat on menus for client events. We’re always looking for ways to encourage more sustainable choices that still deliver a great experience. It’s something that isn’t new for us, but embedded into our DNA and work flows.
Emma’s role may be behind the scenes, but the impact is front and centre - saving the team hours, strengthening our supplier network, and making sure Sleek events are delivered in the best possible locations. She’s proof that the right person in the right role can make all the difference. We’re lucky to have her as part of #TeamSleek.
To get in touch with Emma, connect with her on LinkedIn or drop her an email at suppliers@sleekevents.com
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