In conversation with Jesica Arregui
Jesica is a master of meticulous detail. As senior operations executive, she oversees and optimises operational strategies to ensure we consistently deliver the best for our members.
We caught up with her to learn more about her journey, and what she's working on next...
Tell us about your background and how you progressed to your current role at Connections Luxury.
Born and raised in Argentina in an English-speaking household, I have a slightly eclectic background, which includes studying chemistry as well as jewellery creation. I was in fact a jewellery designer for eight years – a highlight was making crowns for the image of the virgin and child for my hometown cathedral (they had a very impressive ceremony!)
Seven years ago, I moved to London for a lifestyle change – as well as a need for self-discovery, I suppose. I had only been self-employed up until then, so tried my hand at several jobs, including door-to-door sales! It forced me to take positive experiences and learn from everything, as outrageous or as unusual as it might be.
Soon, though, I discovered my love for events. I’ve also really enjoyed rolling up my selves and helping behind the scenes and so my career started and I’ve never looked back!
Since then, I have worked in both marketing and operations at trade shows, such as Top Drawer and Home and Gift at Clarion Events, as well as Conferences at Worldwide Business Research during the pandemic. With operations – and travel – being passions of mine, I was delighted to join the operations team at Connections last year.
How do you ensure efficient and smooth operations within the organisation?
For me, the key is in communication and attention to detail. Being a very logical thinker, I find having processes in place and checklists to follow really help in my day-to-day. With so many moving elements, it also avoids having tasks slip through the cracks.
I’m also a big believer in sharing the right information, concisely, at the right time. For real action to take place, sharing irrelevant information will slow down the process of achievement.
We’re lucky that our team, across functions, is accessible – which is not something you find everywhere. This helps us to move quickly, and efficiently, as we’re all working together to achieve a common goal – making our community and every one of our events a success.
“We’re lucky that our team, across functions, is accessible – which is not something you find everywhere. This helps us to move quickly, and efficiently, as we’re all working together to achieve a common goal – making our community and every one of our events a success.”
What role does technology play in your operations management approach?
Technology plays a growing role in all companies, but never more so than it has over the past nine months at Connections.
Towards the end of 2022, we were engaged in a project to continue the innovation of our brand. This year, that came to fruition with the launch of our all-new Connections Luxury platform, which we’re incredibly proud of.
It was important for us to have a digital asset that reflected how our brand continues to adapt and change based on the needs of the industry. We know that data – and the management of data – is essential in ensuring we service our clients well, so I was keen to be involved from the start to implement positive internal processes that would allow us more time to dedicate to servicing.
This is just the beginning though! We’re still innovating so that our platform continues to offer relevant and valuable features for our members.
What is your best travel advice?
Always carry some cash in local currency, a power bank and a travel adaptor!
My main advice, though, is to prepare. Before travelling, learn about the destination’s dos and don’ts, bookmark your highlights and plan your must-sees – then give yourself time to go off schedule and explore. Often that is when you experience the most memorable moments.
Be open to different cultures and ways of life. Talk and learn from the locals and take in all you see and experience. Travelling is eye-opening like few other things are.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy yoga, hiking and being outdoors. Every time I travel, I find my way up a mountain, into a forest or through a wadi. I recently went hiking in Seoul, tackling Bukhansan Mountain, which stands at an impressive height of 836 meters, surpassing even the towering Burj Khalifa! Next on the list is going into a huge cave in Slovenia.
Where would you love to take a Connections event?
Being from Argentina I am tempted to say Patagonia, which would be the perfect setting for a future Connections Luxury Adventure edition. It is a nature-rich region with landscapes varying from desert to jungle and mountain to beach, and with a wealth of activities to be explored. I would love to have the opportunity to show it to the world.
However, every destination has its charm and I am keen to keep exploring!
What have been your highlights so far at Connections?
If I had to pick a single moment so far, it would be taking off in a helicopter over Barcelona. After all, how often does that happen?
However, as a whole, I would have to say it was the event in Oman. Not only was it a destination I had never been to before, but it was also my first time immersed in such a completely different culture. I was able to learn about the country and the people through the experiences, and even do a tour of the Royal Opera House in Muscat. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work in an industry where this is possible.
