Corporate events.. not so bad

Hi Everyone,


I hope everyone is enjoying their placements and learning lots. I know i am :)

I started my internship beginning of July but I couldn't find the time to make blog entries so here goes for my first one.

I found my placement luckily on Blackboard where Alison posted up the details, I contacted them immediately and just like that I was starting couple days later. CEDA (Committee for Economic Development of Australia) is a not for profit member based organisation that runs economic or corporate themed events. They provide a platform that brings together influential peoples from all sectors of society such as business, academics, government and communities to form debate and discussion about social and economic issues affecting Australia.

As this marked my first ever work experience with a professional organisation I was a nervous wreck my first day. As I stepped into the offices I was overwhelmed with everything I have researched prior to commencing my internship, this was a company that are noted for their honorable reputation and professionalism. However all my anxiety was for nought, from the get go I was warmly welcomed and literally put to work immediately.

Under new management since late last year CEDA has revamped itself, holding more events (up to 50 a year) and gaining more members with organisations both domestic and national. The team of four work so well together like a well efficient machine. It was quite impressive to see them at work. I'm thrilled I could work and learn from them, despite their busy schedules and heavy work load they provide me the time to question them about how their experiences with the events industry has bought to to their current situations.

As I said earlier I was put to work immediately, I was so excited when my supervisor gave me my own project, to plan for a huge series event that will be held in early 2013. The task is enormous but I couldn't be happier. I must develop a regional development series that will be showcased in the nine regions of WA. Researching has taken up most the time but its important to highlight all the relevant industries and the issues affecting the region. Finding the right speakers for the topics held, basically putting together an event program, preparing sponsorships and partnerships proposals, are all apart of the work. Along with this project I help around the office working on entering registrations on a database, media monitoring and other tasks that include event logistics. Couple times I accompanied my colleagues to business meetings and simply soaked up how they dealt with clients and negotiated and planned for events to come.

Some lessons I have learned so far basically centres around being organised, it is imperative, one must be organised and efficient if working in events industry. I always thought I was organised but working these girls has opened my eyes.
I have had the best time interning with the CEDA girls, and I cant wait for the rest of my time with them, CEDA has 2 or more events each week with an impressive number of attendees. I've met people you read about in newspapers and see on TV, policy movers and shakers. It was intimidating but I've been having the best time. One thing i know for sure is that I will most assuredly will be pursuing this career path in the events industry. Corporate events was something that was not in my cards but now its not so bad.

I enjoyed reading about exciting and fantastic experiences on your placements, I hope to read more and I will definitely share with you more of my journey with CEDA. Yay for my first blog entry (It didn't seem so hard as I thought it would be).

Hope to hear from you all.


x
Suleeka