Yes, you read the title right. I have officially commenced my first internship and to say the least, I am loving it! I am two days into my placement at Events & Conference Co and I have learnt so much about the events industry and myself within this small amount of time.

Events & Conference Co, as you may have guessed by the name, is an event management agency. In saying that, these ladies offer more than just your basic event management. Their services include PR and marketing, online registration and website solutions, event styling and theming, graphic design, exhibition and sponsorship and association management. I mean, what more could you want for a successful event?

This has made me very excited to take on the next 18 days of learning and feeding my brain various avenues that public relations encompasses. I am eager to experience how the events industry functions and to gain a hands on experience.

Since this is my first internship, I was quite nervous to take on this journey and even convinced myself no one would want me on their team. Never say never kids, because here I am, living proof. My supervisor Tracy some years ago was like you and I, a Curtin PR student, scouting out an internship for reflective practice. Tracy took me in with open arms and I am extremely grateful that she has given me the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful business.

On my first day, I was allocated to familiarise myself with the event management software, called EventsAir, utilised by Events & Conferences Co’s team. This software is used for every event they manage and is extremely efficient in doing so. I am particularly fascinated and excited by this platform, due to the cohesiveness and endless amount of features that it provides. EventsAir allows for an event management team to create online registration forms, build and collect attendee registrations, create a mobile app for an event, send out communications, manage social media marketing and create floor plans. There is much, much more that this wonderful software provides, but we may be here all day if I was to list it all.

EventsAir Software

My next task was to write a blog post for the company’s website and was appointed to focus on how Covid-19 has affected the events industry and the importance of adaptation. I decided to delve into ‘Events of the future: Post Covid-19’ and expand on how event planners must think outside of the box to continue to create engaging and collaborative events…from a 1.5 metre distance. My supervisor enlightened me of a socially distanced concert in the U.K., where groups of 4-6 people are placed on socially distanced platforms facing the stage, whilst enjoying their favourite artists. A concert where I am not trodden and pushed across the mosh pit, only to lose all of my friends that I came with? That definitely sounds like my kind of concert.

Being at Events & Conference Co has put into perspective how greatly the pandemic has impacted businesses within the events industry and the importance of adapting as a professional to these unprecedented circumstances. The team at Events & Conference Co have adapted well within their business projects and handled all scenarios professionally. It has taught me that modifying and working with, rather than against obstacles, can ignite new skills and evolve industry growth. Luckily enough, there is a couple events up their sleeve for the rest of the year, including an online conference. So, stay tuned!

I would love to know how your internship is treating you and if it is your first one like myself. Don’t be shy, let me know below! 🙂