From Dipping My Toes in the Water to Jumping Into the Deep End

It's game day three and I'm already hosting my own room filled with our corporate partners. Jump back to game day two and I was standing in the corner watching our finance superstar Jess work the room and deal with any questions our partners may have.

This isn't my first time hosting a room, previously as the promotions manager for a nightclub in Northbridge I have done my fair share of hosting patrons in the club, birthday functions and celebrity meet and greets however hosting a room filled with some of our biggest partners is a lot different to getting semi-intoxicated 18-20 year olds excited about a Geordie Shore star. I am nervous yet excited, I feel as though the Western Force have put a lot of trust and faith in me by appointing me this responsibility and it makes me feel as though my hard work in the office and on game day has paid off.

The corporate room is called the Black Swan Bar and to set it up we need to ensure every company has its own pod with the correct signage. Each pod fits 10 people and requires five match programmes and Karma Resort flyers. The branding in the room needs to be checked with a Retravision sign and two Karma Resort pull-outs on the stage. It is my responsibility to ensure the Ipod is plugged in and the music is at a good volume, I have to give a run-down to the catering staff and make sure the security at the door have spare lanyards for any guests who have forgotten to bring theirs for their tickets. Before gates open I speak to the event representative from the NIB stadium in-case anything needs to be changed, am involved with the corporate hospitality briefing and have a quick run-over with the MC to discuss what competitions need to be run throughout the night and when they will be announced.

At gates open three Western Force players arrive in the room and I have to give them instructions on what they will be doing in the room. They have a spot the ball competition and a business card draw that they will need to explain to the partners in each pod. I also have to collect the prizes from BLK and Retravision for these competitions.

In the room are companies such as the Asthma Foundation, Schweppes, Redpath, BLK, Wilde and Woollard, Titan Ford, Print Sync, SGS, Metrix, Retravision and Shelf Subsea. I memorise where each company's pod is and walk guests as they enter to their appointed areas. As the team runs onto the field people start to exit the room to their seats to watch the kick off, whilst most would think that I too would get to watch the game, this is the time where I enjoy a quality meal of beef cheeks, mashed potato and vegetables, one of the perks of working in the corporate areas, no cold pizza for me!

At half time guests return to have dinner and I talk to the Karma resorts representative to let her know how her staff have been in the room. The game recommences for the second half and once everyone has left the room I get to watch the final 10 minutes of the game in the stands.

Full time and everyone is back in the room taking advantage of the free alcohol for final hour. This is when myself and the MC get up on stage and run the 'Heads and Tales' competition and hand out all prizes for the night. The final 45 minutes for me are a great opportunity to network as I walk to each pod to chat about the game and make sure they have enjoyed their night.

The night has gone smoothly and many of the guests thank me as they exit and commend me on the great job I did hosting the room. In the office the following week both of my managers commend me on the great work and tell me they had great feedback from a number of guests in the room that night. This type of feedback is very rewarding and I am excited to now be the Black Swan Bar host for remainder of the season.

From left to right: Natalie, Laura (me), Bron and Stevie posing in the Black Swan Bar before the night's events kick off