Chizoba Atsu Urges Women in Events Industry to Lead with Authenticity, Connection, and Confidence

Founder and Managing Director of Elle’s Icebox, Chizoba Atsu, has called on women in the global events and hospitality sector to redefine leadership by embracing authenticity, fostering meaningful connections, and continuously investing in personal growth to create lasting influence.

In her article titled “Redefining Leadership: How Women Can Build Power and Lasting Connections in the Events Industry,” Atsu compared leadership in the industry to conducting an orchestra — where vendors, clients, guests, logistics, and design must work together in harmony to achieve success.

“While women have historically faced significant challenges breaking into this field, the events industry also offers unique opportunities to reshape what genuine leadership means,” she stated.

Atsu, who has spent nearly two decades transforming Nigeria’s cocktail and mobile bar business and managing over 10,000 high-profile events, emphasised that true leadership is defined by presence, not position.

“It’s about building trust, offering a compelling vision, and showing up with consistency and resilience,” she said, adding that leadership begins with mastering one’s craft. For her, this meant evolving from mixing drinks to creating immersive experiences that celebrate culture and deliver value.

“Confidence creates space for influence, and mastery builds confidence,” Atsu wrote. She further highlighted that the events industry thrives on relationships — the networks one builds, nurtures, and supports are what truly power success.

According to her, respecting vendors turns them into partners, while clients who trust a leader become ambassadors for their brand.

Atsu outlined three key principles for women seeking to grow as leaders:

1. Invest in personal development by continually learning and evolving.


2. Lead authentically, drawing strength from one’s unique female perspective.


3. Cultivate deep connections, as partnerships and collaboration are the lifeblood of the industry.



“For women, leadership is about more than just earning a seat at the table,” she said. “It’s about building new tables, creating bridges for others, and showing that leadership can be both strong and compassionate, creative and grounded.”

Reflecting on her journey, Atsu concluded that success rarely stems from individual effort but from the people leaders uplift, the communities they inspire, and the relationships they nurture.

“When women truly embrace that power,” she wrote, “we don’t just organise events — we transform entire industries.”