You know those events where you walk in not quite knowing what to expect…and walk out two steps quicker, already thinking about what you want to do next?
Re:Markable was one of those.
Last week, Sowden’s Sami headed along to the very first Re:Markable event, held at The Federation of Sport, and came back with exactly what you’d hope from a day built around storytelling. Not a list of notes or a slide deck full of buzzwords, but energy, inspiration and a head full of ideas.
From the off, the whole day just felt easy. It ran seamlessly, but more importantly, it felt welcoming. No awkward standing around, no cliques you couldn’t break into. Just a room full of people who were genuinely up for a conversation.
Marketers, founders, creatives, start-ups, and local businesses all in one space, sharing ideas, swapping stories, and making connections. The kind of networking that does not feel like networking.
And for Hull, that is a big deal. These are the kinds of events you would usually travel for. Leeds, Manchester, sometimes further. Having something like this on our doorstep felt like a bit of a moment.
The theme running throughout the day was storytelling, but not in the over-polished, buzzword-heavy way you sometimes get. This felt grounded, honest and actually useful.
From the opening session through to the local creatives panel, there was a real sense that people were sharing the reality behind their work. The wins, the pivots, the messy bits in between. It made it easier to relate to, and more importantly, easier to take something from.
There were plenty of strong speakers across the day, but one that really landed for Sami was Stefan Casey. His career has taken him across industries, roles and global brands, including Nestlé, before launching his own consultancy, Lightning Tree.
“What made it stand out was how un-linear it all was. Different roles, different directions, different experiences all adding up to where he is now. It was a good reminder that not everything needs to follow a neat path to be valuable”.
Interestingly, the biggest takeaway from the day was not a list of tips or a new framework to follow. Instead it sparked something.
The kind of energy that makes you want to create more, think differently and push ideas a bit further than you might have done the day before. Sami summed it up, “it didn’t feel like sitting through a conference. It felt like something that got your brain moving again”.
Re:Markable has been brought to life by Will Kirk, Matt Johnson and Paul Smith. Three people working in and around the region’s creative and marketing scene who clearly care about what Hull has to offer and where it can go next.
Between them, they span design, marketing, strategy, and business growth, and that mix really came through in how the day was put together. It felt considered, well-paced and genuinely built for the audience in the room.
A big thank you to all three for making it happen. It is no small thing to pull together a sell-out event like this, especially one that sets such a strong tone from the outset.
Hull and East Yorkshire are not short of creative talent. What has been missing is something that brings it together like Re:Markable. A space to share ideas, learn from each other and raise the profile of what is happening here.
Judging by the turnout and the reaction on the day, there’s definitely an appetite for it!
Need a team to bring energy, creativity and real connection to your next project? Get in touch.
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