Women of Encore
Neslihan Er‑Filali
Cluster Sales Manager, JBR Cluster
1. Could you introduce yourself, and share how long you’ve been at Encore? What drew you to this team specifically?
I’m a proud mum of two wonderful girls, which is a big part of who I am. I first joined Encore in 2016 and over the years I have had the opportunity to grow within the company, starting as a Sales Manager and progressing through Senior Sales Manager, Cluster Sales Manager and Regional Sales Manager roles.
In 2023, I made the conscious decision to take a career break to focus on my children at a stage when they needed me most. It was an important and intentional choice for my family. By 2026, as they became more independent, I felt ready to return to work, and coming back to Encore felt like the right decision.
I have now rejoined as Cluster Sales Manager for JBR, and I truly could not have asked for a better team. It is a strong, driven group and I genuinely believe that together we can achieve great success, delivering world class service, innovative solutions and unforgettable experiences for both our venue partners and direct clients.
What made my return even more meaningful is the people and the positive environment we work in. I strongly believe in a people first approach and that is exactly what Encore represents to me. It is a team that supports one another, collaborates closely and is committed to delivering excellence.
2. Walk us through a typical day in your role. What part of it brings you the most satisfaction?
My day is a mix of driving revenue, managing client relationships and working closely with venue teams and internal operations to ensure seamless event delivery. I focus on identifying new business opportunities, maintaining a strong pipeline and supporting the team in achieving our targets while upholding Encore’s standards of service excellence.
What I find most satisfying is not only building strong partnerships with clients and venue teams, but also the leadership aspect. Guiding, motivating and developing my team to perform at their best is hugely rewarding. Seeing both the team and our events succeed, while delivering innovative solutions and creating memorable experiences, really reflects what Encore stands for.
3. What inspired you to work in event production?
I have always been drawn to dynamic environments where creativity meets execution. Event production brings both together. You are not just planning something on paper, you are bringing it to life. That combination of creativity, logistics and real time problem solving is what inspired me to pursue this field.
4. Looking back to when you first started, what surprised you most about this industry?
What surprised me most was the level of detail, coordination and teamwork behind every successful event. From the outside, everything looks seamless, but in reality it takes strong collaboration, clear communication and a great deal of preparation. It really made me appreciate how important people are in delivering world class service.
5. What’s the most challenging part of your role?
The biggest challenge is managing last minute changes while maintaining high standards. In this industry, and especially in the UAE, last minute requests and changes are very common. I actually see this as a positive part of the market. It keeps us agile, sharp and constantly improving how we deliver.
For me, it is about staying calm, thinking clearly and focusing on solutions rather than the challenge itself. It comes down to taking ownership, supporting the team and ensuring we deliver the right outcome for the client, no matter the pressure.
6. What are you most proud of in your career, and what milestones are you looking towards next?
I am most proud of consistently delivering strong results across complex projects, particularly in high pressure situations where teamwork and leadership made the difference. For me, real success is seeing the team grow, develop and consistently perform at a higher level. That is the biggest reflection of my contribution.
Looking ahead, I want to continue strengthening my leadership skills, contribute more strategically to the business and play a bigger role in driving growth, while continuing to deliver excellence.
7. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in event production?
Be ready for a fast moving environment where no two days are the same and where thinking ahead and seeing the bigger picture really matters. Stay curious, be hands on and always pay attention to detail. Strong communication and adaptability are essential.
Most importantly, value people because success in this industry is always driven by collaboration, trust and teamwork.
8. Working in a prestigious hotel with high standards can feel daunting. How did you build your confidence?
It can feel overwhelming at the beginning, but I focused on understanding the standards, learning from experienced colleagues and always asking questions when needed. Over time, consistency and experience built my confidence.
Staying focused on delivering the right outcome and trusting the process really helped. Seeing positive results and strong client feedback reinforces your ability and continues to build confidence naturally.
And honestly, being a mum of two has probably been my best training in multitasking and staying calm under pressure. If you can manage school runs, deadlines and unexpected surprises all at once, event production feels like second nature.
9. What is your favourite part of working in house at one of our partner venues?
My favourite part is being closely connected to both the venue and the client journey. It allows for stronger collaboration, faster decision making and a real sense of ownership over each event.
It also creates a strong team culture where everyone is aligned towards the same goal, delivering world class service and seamless experiences for clients.
10. What advice would you give to women considering a career in the events industry?
Go for it. It is a challenging but very rewarding industry where you can grow quickly and make a real impact. Do not hesitate to speak up, take ownership and step into opportunities, even when they feel slightly outside your comfort zone. Confidence builds with experience.
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