Jo James
About Jo James
Jo James is a seasoned stage manager and event coordinator with over 20 years of experience in organizing literature events. She currently works at multiple organizations, including the World Economic Forum and Stanfords, and is a member of the consortium Hand Held Events.
Work at World Economic Forum
Jo James has been serving as a Stage Manager at the World Economic Forum since 2015. In this role, she stage manages all main plenary sessions held in Davos, Switzerland. Her responsibilities include coordinating logistics and programming, particularly when interacting with Heads of State and CEOs of global corporations. This position requires a high level of organization and attention to detail, given the prominence of the attendees and the significance of the discussions taking place.
Education and Expertise
Jo James studied Graphic Design at Coventry University from 1987 to 1990, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. This educational background has contributed to her expertise in event coordination and management, particularly in the literary sector. With over 20 years of experience in planning and organizing literature events, her skills encompass a wide range of logistical and programming aspects necessary for successful event execution.
Background
Jo James has a diverse background in event management and coordination. She has worked as a Freelance Event Coordinator for The Booksellers Association since 2014, focusing on the Books Are My Bag initiative. Additionally, she has held the position of Programme Manager for the Stanfords Travel Writers Festival in Olympia since 2014. Her previous experience includes a role as Events and Local Marketing Manager at Waterstones from 2006 to 2010, where she organized significant events and conferences.
Achievements
Jo James has played a significant role in the literary event sector, managing logistics and programming for national and international literary festivals. She is also part of Hand Held Events, a consortium that provides comprehensive services for developing new cultural events. Her experience includes managing the Green Room and planning for large-scale conferences, showcasing her ability to handle complex event requirements effectively.
Current Roles and Responsibilities
In addition to her role at the World Economic Forum, Jo James is currently a Marketing Associate at Alliance Publishing Press, a position she has held since 2011. She also manages the VIP Room and Writers Room at Cheltenham Festivals, where she has been involved for 13 years. Her extensive experience across various organizations highlights her versatility and commitment to the literary community.