CCB Magazine

Illumination of another kind

Photo: © Kater Grögor

FLINTA people (women, lesbian, inter, non-binary, trans and agender) are a novelty in the event technology industry, few have a master title. Katha Grögor, who also goes by Kater, is nonbinary and has a master title in event technology. This year, the event technician will be talking about the career path taken at Most Wanted Music - we spoke to Kater about it in advance.
 

INTERVIEW  Boris Messing

CCB Magazine:So. First of all the question, how should I call you, Kater or Katha?

Kater Grögor:Kater is fine. That just fits better, since I don't use masculine or feminine attributed pronouns. So just Kater.

CCB Magazine:If I have read it correctly, you are a master craftsperson for event technology and work as a project manager at ICT, a company that offers solutions for live communication. That means for trade fairs, retail stores, showrooms, museums, etc. Where is the connection to the music industry?

Kater Grögor:Yes, exactly. ICT AG is my current employer. Basically, a technical service provider for event technology. A big part of the music industry is the live experience. Artists need people from event technology for their live performances otherwise they stand there in the dark and can't be heard. To put it simply, concerts or conferences for the music industry, for example, would not be able to take place at all.

CCB Magazine:The Most Wanted session you'll be speaking at is titled "The stories behind unusual career paths in the music business." What makes your career path so unusual?

Kater Grögor:Unusual, actually, only in the sense of the old observation pattern "male-dominated industry!". But for a few years now, we've finally seen a change, and that's also good for the industry. I originally trained as a technical draftsperson for mechanical engineering, then left for Berlin in my early 20s and started training as an event technology specialist. I quickly realized that every job and every crew is 99 percent male. Of course the tone is different and men talk to each other differently. But I don't want to start a sexist debate here, it's just that it's always been confirmed for me: I would want to put my crews together differently. After my training, I went straight into specialist planning and project management. Of course, this gave me completely different opportunities to influence and shape my own project teams. After more than 10 years in project management, I now also have my master's degree in my pocket. Diverse managers are also few and far between, but so important.

Promoting diversity in companies is immensely important. The more diversity is present in the event industry, the better people can identify with it and have the courage to do what they feel like doing

CCB Magazine:According to a study by the German Cultural Council, the majority of students in conducting, jazz/pop music, church music, composition and sound engineering are still men. This is particularly striking in the field of sound engineering. Here, the proportion of women is less than 15 percent. Rhythmics, on the other hand, is studied by 90 percent women. How can the male-dominated event technology industry be changed?

Kater Grögor:First of all, we have to create visibility. That's exactly what I'm doing. And the more diversity is present in the industry, the better all the different people can identify with it and have the courage to simply do what they feel like doing. Promoting diversity in companies is immensely important for this. More and more companies have understood this. And I hope that my current employer will also take further steps.

CCB Magazine:What's the most important lesson you've taken away from your career journey so far?

Kater Grögor:That I don't need to hide for my expertise and that I am now much better at project management than many male colleagues. Realizing your own value is very important for a self-confident appearance in this industry.

There are so many great artists and technicians in the world, but no one needs the hundredth male artist or technician

CCB Magazine:The music industry has suffered particularly badly in the Corona crisis, with entire job sectors disappearing. At the same time, a new study on gender diversity in music offerings shows that younger audiences are paying attention to diversity in the music industry: For about 40 percent of 16- to 29-year-olds, gender balance at festivals plays a role in their decision to buy a ticket. How do you think the music industry will change? What new jobs will there be?

Kater Grögor:It's time to represent FLINTA people more and give them a stage. There are so many great artists and technicians in the world. Nobody needs the hundredth male artist or technician. Awareness teams should not only be on the road at reflective festivals, but in all other industries.

CCB Magazine:Do you have a goal where you still want to develop professionally?

Kater Grögor:There's not that much more on the career ladder for me to achieve. But I'm always open to new projects. Above all, the environment has to be right. I attach a great deal of importance to equality and conscious and respectful interaction with one another. From my experience, however, there is still a lot to be done in precisely these areas. Although a change is slowly taking place in the companies, the "old classic values" are still very present in the company structures. This is where I like to start and try to break up old structures.

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Category: New Player