
Igor Cavaco
Senior Event & Venue Management Specialist
Salary / Daily rate
Lisbon, Portugal
Freelance, open to permanent contract
Can come onsite
Skills
Languages
About me
Intro
Event & venue management specialist with 10+ years orchestrating major international events including Olympics, FIFA World Cup, and Web Summit. Led operations for 12,000+ item logistics across multiple venues and managed teams of 2,000+ across diverse projects. Expert in site operations, crowd management, and cross-functional coordination delivering world-class sporting and cultural experiences.
Work experience
Senior Production Manager
Dream & Spiridon Promocoes EsportivasFreelance
Apr 2025 - Present
1 year 7 months
Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Leading the production and logistical coordination of two major cultural and sporting events in Rio de Janeiro: Maratona com Artes, a multi-format cultural festival integrated with the Rio Marathon, and the Circuito da Maratona do Rio, one of Brazil’s premier running events, which will take place in 5 cities. Responsibilities include cross-functional team leadership, supplier and partner coordination, scheduling, and delivering highimpact experiences for athletes, spectators, and artists.
FF&E Production
Web Summit RioFreelance
Apr 2025 - May 2025
2 months
Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Operationalized **12,000 furniture items** across 6 pavilions - Aligned setups with international tech event standards
Site Office Manager
Web Summit QatarFreelance
Feb 2025 - Mar 2025
2 months
Doha · On-site
Key Responsibilities: - Act as the central point of contact for all on-site activities during the event. - Oversee the setup and breakdown of event spaces, ensuring everything is in place according to the plan. - Manage the flow of operations to ensure the event runs on schedule. Logistics Management: - Coordinate logistics for equipment, materials, and personnel needed on-site. - Ensure timely delivery and setup of technical equipment, furniture, signage, and other event materials. - Manage transportation and storage of items as needed. Vendor and Supplier Coordination: - Liaise with vendors, contractors, and suppliers to ensure they deliver services as agreed. - Resolve any issues or delays with vendors to minimize disruptions to the event. Team Communication: - Serve as the communication hub for all teams working on-site, including technical staff, security, catering, and event organizers. - Conduct briefings and debriefings with staff to ensure everyone is aligned and informed. Problem-Solving: - Address and resolve any on-site issues or emergencies that arise during the event. - Make quick decisions to adapt to changing circumstances, such as weather conditions, technical failures, or scheduling changes. Budget and Resource Management: - Monitor on-site expenses to ensure they stay within budget. - Manage inventory and resources efficiently to avoid waste or shortages. Documentation and Reporting: - Maintain accurate records of on-site activities, including incident reports, attendance, and vendor performance. - Provide post-event reports summarizing successes, challenges, and areas for improvement.
U-20 Rio Summit Event Logistic Manager
SRCOMFreelance
Oct 2024 - Dec 2024
3 months
Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The U-20 Rio Summit is the culmination of the 2024 Urban 20 cycle. Take place on the eve of the G20 Heads of State Summit in Rio. Bring together Mayors from all over the world, world-leading networks oflocal leaders, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), Academic Research Centers, Think Tanks, Philanthropic Institutions, and civilsociety organizations. It´s held simultaneously with the G20 Social, onthe Olympic Boulevard (Port Area) in Rio de Janeiro. Bring together around 2,000 delegates and international authorities. Has a program made up of more than 60 hours of Public Sessions, as well as a closed-door session for U20 Mayors.
Venue Logistic Manager - VLM
Paris 2024 - Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2024
Feb 2024 - Oct 2024
9 months
Paris, France
Sr Planner Manager
Expo2023DohaFreelance
May 2023 - Mar 2024
11 months
Doha · On-site
Provide the necessary experienced personnel and resources to develop and deliver the Zone Operations Management requirements; Implement a Zone Operations Management Plan; Develop and implement the Zone Operations Programme Plan; Liaise and coordinate with Expo 2023, government agencies and local municipalities on the requirements for licensing and operational certification; Lead and manage the integration of operations across all operational Functional Areas; Develop and lead the overall Event Operational Planning process; Lead the delivery of the testing and readiness programme for all Zones; Produce a Contingency Plan detailing back-up plans for each Zone; Assist in the establishment of service level requirements with operational FA’s, Client Groups and key stakeholders; Design and implement a Model Zone Exercise; Lead teams involved in producing the deliverables from the Model Zone Exercise; Produce a Contingency Plan detailing back-up plans for key activities performed by the Zone Operations Management FA.
Team Liaison Officer - Team Services
FIFA Club World Cup 2023Freelance
Nov 2023 - Dec 2023
2 months
Jeddah Saudi Arabia
- In general, main focal point among LOC Competition and the Team Participant. - Facilitating communication, collaboration, and coordination among the LOC and the Participant Club - Schedule and facilitate regular meetings between participant team to discuss progress, challenges, and upcoming tasks. - Ensure that relevant information is shared among LOC and the competition Stakeholders.
Masterclass Manager - Site Operation
Web Summit RioFreelance
May 2023 - May 2023
1 month
Brazil · On-site
Roles and responsibilities: - Crowd Control Management; - Stationed at Masterclass area in the Convention Centre, as point of contact for attendees that arrive looking for their masterclass; - Help direct attendees; - Ensure that each masterclass has the correct signage outside for the session; - Check the masterclass space in between sessions and report if the space needs to be cleaned before the next session;
Venue Logistics Manager
GWC LogisticsFreelance
Jul 2022 - Jan 2023
7 months
Doha, Qatar
Descrição - With 19 logistics centers spread across strategic locations in Qatar, GWC provide a range of services and manage access to venues, stadiums, fan festivals, fan zones, and IBCs; - Venue Logistics Manager for Host Country Media Center (HCMC), Host Country Broadcast Facility - Souk Waqif and Corniche (HCBF) at FWC Qatar 2022; - Managing 03 supervisors, 18 crew members with 10 different nationalities; - City Integration with Doha Municipality and Ministry of Interior (MOI); - Integration and Management between Functional Areas, Material Planning and Distribution, Warehouse and Logistics Coordination Center (LCC);
Manager Zone Operations
Expo 2020 Dubai
Aug 2021 - May 2022
10 months
Nahwa - Aturrah - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates
- Responsible for contributing to the operational readiness and delivery of their Zone within the EXPO 2020 Site. - Operate as the Zone Operations Manager with responsibility and accountability for all public realm operations within a design at ed area (Sector) of the site. - Liaison with external partners including Dubai Ambulance (DCAS),Dubai Police, and Dubai Civil Defence (DCD - fire services) in daily operations. - Management and escalation of all cross functional issues and incidents within the designated Sector of the Site. - Support of all operations within the sector and integration with multiple internal and external stakeholders / Functions to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the relevant Sector. - Crowd safety management risks, and be able to assess, mitigate, and offer solutions and lead teams in the management of potential crowd related issues. - Oversee host and visitor safety within the Sector/Zone including: briefing of Sector Coordinators, assisting with the deployment of hosts/response teams, hosts and crowd management issue resolution. - Liaison with International Participants (IP’s) in delivery of safe and effective queue management. - Production and coordination to all event documentation including Site Operating Plans, Venue Operating Plans, Crowd Management Plans, Daily Run Sheets and Checklists ensuring accuracy and timeliness of completion/distribution. - Act as a warden in the event of an evacuation
Maracanã Stadium Manager / Supervisory, Management and Operation Committee
State Secretariat of the Civil House and Governance
Sep 2019 - Aug 2021
2 years
Greater Rio de Janeiro
- Acting on the Supervisory, Management and Operation Committe of Maracanã Stadium; - Planning and Operation; - Liason and Acting with Stakeholders and Shareholders; - Co-author and publisher of the Facilities Playbook and Operational Manual of the Maracanã Stadium and Sports Complex.
Competition & Team Services Coodinator
LOC - CONMEBOL Copa America Brasil 2019
Aug 2018 - Aug 2019
1 year 1 month
Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Part of the team responsible for technical matters relating to CONMEBOL Copa América Brasil 2019 (CA2019),including services to participating National Associations (ANs), the arbitration team and departure delegates, and any other matters directly related to the competition. With respect to the technical aspects of the competition, I worked to guarantee that all the installations of the competition (official stadiums) and training fields (Official Training Fields – COTs and the Referee Training Field – CTA), are in accordance with the requirements and regulations of CONMEBOL, with quality football pitches and adequate sports equipment for the use of the members of the teams.
Event & Activation Manager
Fluminense Football Club
Aug 2017 - Aug 2018
1 year 1 month
Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Manager of Operations for matches and stadiums. Part of the Match provider management, operational support, planning and operation of the stadium, analytical vision of the fan experience and Match Day club sponsors.
Sport Specialist - 3x3 Basketball
Ashgabat2017
Sep 2017 - Oct 2017
2 months
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Competition Assistant in 3x3 Basketball during the Asian Games
Gerente de Operações e Gestão das Instalações I - Operations Manager of Facilities and Management I
Rio 2016 - Comitê Organizador dos Jogos Olímpicos e Paralímpicos
Jan 2015 - Mar 2017
2 years 3 months
Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Management, planning and execution of all the street events of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games - Cycling Road race, Track Racing, Triathlon, Race Walking, Marathon, Paralympic Cycling Road Race , Paralympic Triathlon, and Paralympic Marathon. - 220km FOP operation with 1.078 Athletes. - The Biggest Olympic Logistics Operation: 6 Logistics Outposts | 36,000 Metal Barriers | 300.000 Material Deployments | 150 Trucks. - Competition Homologation with the International Sports Federations. - Liaison with City Halls and Local Governments. - Management of 2.000 people involved in the operation.
Coordinator Competition and Team Services – Venue Salvador
2014 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee Brazil
Jan 2014 - Dec 2014
1 year
Greater Salvador
During the FIFA World Cup Brazil, in 2014, was Competition Coordinator and Team Services from Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 in the Host City Salvador. Responsible for Competition Area World Cup in Salvador - BA, including preparation of official rules stadiums, pitches (field of play), Officers Training and International Training Centers for the teams,s Training and Official Stadium (Arena Fonte Nova), in Salvador. Responsable for managing the logistics services and operation for the teams and preparation of the services offered during the competition for the participating teams (training venues, internal displacement - air and ground - security, medical services, food services, among others), together with other areas of Organizing Committee. Responsável pela área de Competição da Copa do Mundo em Salvador - BA, incluindo preparação dos gramados de estádios oficiais, Campos Oficiais de Treinamento e Centros de Treinamento de Seleções. Responsável pela avaliação dos Centros Oficiais de Treinamento e Arena Fonte Nova, em Salvador. Coordenador de atendimento às equipes e preparação dos serviços oferecidos durante a competição para os times participantes (locais de treinamento, deslocamentos internos - aéreos e terrestres -, segurança, serviços médicos, serviços de alimentação, dentre outros), em conjunto com as demais áreas do Comitê Organizador.
Media Manager, Press Operation Manager & Accreditation Manager
Tour do Rio 2014
Aug 2014 - Oct 2014
3 months
Greater Rio de Janeiro
Media management and accreditation before and during the competition in 22 cities on Rio de Janeiro state for up to 1000 journalist; Responsável pelo credenciamento, gerenciamento e operação de imprensa durante a competição em mais de 22 municípios do Rio de Janeiro, atendendo mais de 1000 jornalistas;
Press Agent Manager
Approach
Jan 2012 - Jan 2014
2 years 1 month
Greater Rio de Janeiro
Press Agent Manager of Red Bull during 2 years. Other clients included: Fox Sports Brazil, Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB), Football Federation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FERJ), Cosan Lubricants (holder of Mobil lubricants brand), Jungle Fight and Klefer and Grupo Pão de Açúcar.. Assessor de Imprensa da Red Bull durante 2 anos. Também atendeu os seguintes clientes: Fox Sports, Confederação Brasileira de Basketball (CBB), Federação de Futebol do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FERJ), Cosan Lubrificantes (detentor da marca Mobil Lubrificantes), Jungle Fight e Klefer e Grupo Pão de Açúcar.
Media Manager - Freelancer
Laureus
Mar 2013 - Mar 2013
1 month
Greater Rio de Janeiro
Media Manager during the Laureus Awards 2013, in Rio de Janeiro. Responsability for accreditation and mixed zone on red carpet. Media Manager no Laureus Awards 2013 que aconteceu no Rio de Janeiro.
Marketing and Communication Manager
Grupo Pão de Açúcar
Dec 2010 - Jul 2011
8 months
Greater Rio de Janeiro
Media, Marketing and Communication Manager of the football club. Gerente de Comunicação e Marketing do Audax Rio, antigo Sendas Esporte Clube.
Education
Trevisan Escola de Negócios
Master of Business Administration - MBA
2012 - 2019
7 years 3 months
Trevisan Escola de Negócios
MBA Gestão em Marketing Esportivo
2015 - 2019
4 years 1 month
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro
Bacharel em Comunicação Social
2005 - 2010
5 years 1 month