Verve – believe the hype!

Imtisal Zafar and Arsalan Ahmed Khan have made waves with their creative style and professional work.

LAHORE: Imtisal Zafar and Arsalan Ahmed Khan are by far one of the youngest event managers in Pakistan.

Under Verve Events, these two dynamic individuals have gained an edge by organising parties and concerts for their much-ignored generation. Soon after their modest start in 2007, the duo began to take on larger corporate projects such as the much-touted Casa Hamza launch followed by the momentous advent of Hardees to Pakistan and the massive concert for the Romanian musical sensation, Akcent in Lahore. The Express Tribune catches up with the two following their trail of success, revealing how they managed to build a successful event management company in Pakistan.

Do people take you seriously, given your age?

Zafar: In the beginning of our career, people had a hard time taking us seriously and believing we can do all that we claimed. However, now with years of experience and some major corporate clients and high profile events under our belt, things are much different. Our reputation has started to precede us.

Khan: I just realised that we are the youngest. It had not crossed my mind earlier. It feels fabulous to have achieved a level of work which is at par with professionals who have been in the industry for a long time. But yes, I think there are people who have not taken us seriously -- mostly competition. Luckily, events speak for themselves.

What is a signature Verve event like?

Zafar: I don’t know if there’s a signature style that is dominant in our events but at all our events, you would definitely see money spent on the decor and the ambience.

Khan: A Verve event is an experience, catered to clients’ needs, wants and desires. It should feel like a dream!

What kind of events is Verve most comfortable doing?

Zafar: We love doing themed parties. But at the same time corporate events are becoming our forte as well.

Khan: Corporate events, parties, weddings, concerts - it’s all within our comfort zone.

How was the experience of participating in the fashion week in Islamabad?

Zafar: Brilliant. Being chosen to do such a massive event so early in our career was a definite high.

Khan: It was an amazing experience. I’m grateful to Tariq Amin and Faiza Amin for giving us this opportunity. It was our first experience with such a large fashion event. We have done fashion events on a smaller level but never a fashion week. We also had Madiha Qaiser as part of our team, handling the backstage management and she did a fantastic job. All in all, it was an amazing learning curve and an experience that can only be bettered.

What are the challenges for event managers in general, and for those as young as yourself?

Zafar: The biggest challenge by far is the security situation combined with recession. I’m surprised and grateful to be afloat.

Khan: Challenges are getting new clients. A lot of companies have CEOs and higher level decision makers who are set on certain event companies doing work.  Sometimes having a fair chance doesn’t happen. In certain situations, the answer after many meetings is, ‘Sorry but the boss specifically asked for so and so’ ... and that makes you want to scream on the inside and yet you still have to wear your smile.

What do you think was a defining moment for your company thus far?

Zafar: Definitely organising Akcent’s gig in Lahore. It proved that we deliver to what we commit. Hardees’ launch in Pakistan was also a turning moment for our company as it proved to be a major feather in our cap and put us prominently on the market.

Khan: I think giving out flawless corporate events is an internal defining moment, whereas something more public would be Akcent.

How do you manage with a foot in Islamabad and a foot in Lahore?

Zafar: It works out great as that way either of us doesn’t have to be shuffling between cities for meetings. We have reached a stage where we are equally capable of handling an event individually with a very efficient and capable team

Khan: I live here(Lahore). Imtisal lives in Islamabad. We travel for events but at least we don’t have to travel for meetings. We can manage events on our own with our team but it’s so much fun doing it together.

Where should the event management industry be heading in these troubled times?

Zafar: It should be heading forward, that’s the only way. It is extremely daunting to be in the current times but we are a living proof of  ‘where there is a will, there is a way’! We started out in November 2007, a week after emergency was imposed in the country. Then Bhutto was assassinated, since then it has been downhill. But we stuck through and three years later, here we are.

Khan: Forward!

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2011.