Testing my ideas and putting them into practice!

My first two weeks at Event and Conference CO. has made me feel that this internship has shaped my confidence. Gaining work experience in such a prestigious organisation has further strengthened my creativity skills, communication skills, and research & development skills. Throughout the Public Relations course of study I have gained an understanding that, a public relations graduate should strive for a set of specialized skills. These skills include strong communication skills, strong writing skills, international mindset, creativity, and an understanding of how communications theory and PR informs public relations practice. My goals are to develop all of these specialized skills by the end of my internship, and hopefully become an important asset to their organisation!  

Event and Conference co has been established since 2008, and have been highly successful in organizing over 450 events. Ranging from any event classification such as Gala Balls, Charity balls, Community events, Conferences, Award Ceremonies and the list goes on! 

Here is an image below of one of their events that they styled for a Gala Ball last year! Check out more of their talent @ Event and Conference CO

So far I have been able to test my PR knowledge and apply it to the real world of business! Throughout these past 2 weeks I have been able to work autonomously on several different tasks. I have been lucky enough to be involved with the planning stages of several corporate events such as:

• Blue Light Appeal Launch

• The Perth Tourism Industry Exchange Awards

• Creative workshop

• #INSTAMEET

• Leading the way in WA 

One of my very first task that I was assigned to was to research sponsorship grants in relation to the Blue Light Appeal Launch. I specifically researched sponsorship grants for Healthway and Lotteryest. However there is an in depth discussion and meaningful insights of this task stated within the report section (sponsorship).

Additional insights that I learnt when researching corporate sponsorship for events are:

1. Choosing the correct venue - Collaborate and include the sponsors when sourcing the right venue. Connect with each potential sponsor and ask how you can accommodate their needs. 
2. Identify the venue- As a team we all visited the venue and identified potential areas where banners,logo placement, and signs where a sponsor could advertise. 
3. Choosing the correct sponsors- you need to keep in mind that the potential sponsors' mission statement, organisational values, brand and attitude are align with your organisations long term business goals.There is no importance for both organisations if they do not share the same values. 
4. The proposal - This is written up by the Marketing and Operations Manager, Anna.There is a checklist of questions that she asks herself such as; What can I offer them in return for support? What can be offered and how to pitch our ideas to them the most effective way possible! 

The major highlights that I have been able to explore through these processes are how corporate sponsorship is developed. This has allowed me to think outside of the box and test my researching & development skills. I didn’t realize how much intense work is involved when establishing and maintaining community partnerships.

Previously in the Cross Cultural Communication unit I used sponsorship and event management as one of the major PR communication tactics for our PR communications plan. I researched that sponsorship can be one of the most expensive PR tactics used in an organisation, however if it is managed accurately it can be the most effective way to build community partnering. Significantly I feel there is only so much you can learn about sponsorship and event management within the scope of University.

I found it challenging when I had to research potential sponsors for these various events. Understanding sponsors needs such as their marketing and corporate objectives, how to effectively communicate to them, and measuring our organisations value to the sponsors. I had to work very closely with both my mentors Director, Events and Marketing specialist Rebecca Cole and Event and Operations Manager Anna Barker. Although I work autonomously the organisational environment is very team based, where most decisions are approved by the whole team before any systems are processed.

I have always been a motivated person in life, and I feel ready for any challenge that may be thrown my way! I am so excited to learn more about how Event & Conference Co apply their PR tactics and manage their events. 

Follow me on INSTAGRAM @siobhansmith to gain more of an insight of my work experience placement!

Stay tuned for next time guys!! 

Thank you 

~ Siobhan Smith ~