#1 The Deep End. The reality of the Events Industry

#1 The Deep End

The reality of the Events industry  

“Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.”- Confucius.

I am into the fourth week of my Events/PR internship at Perth Fashion Festival where I have been working one day a week, moving to two days this week. 


To gain some experience and figure out what I want to do when I graduate, I took up some events work experience a few years ago and absolutely loved it. Since then, I’ve continued to work in the field and feel I have found my ‘niche’. For a lot of people, working in Events seems glamorous and lots of fun, but in reality it is very hard work, fast-paced, demanding and often poorly paid. I am learning this now, more than ever, at my internship with PFF, which is why I feel that the above quote is so relevant. The events industry is one of many that if you wish to work and succeed in, you really need to love what you are doing. Even though I haven’t been working with PFF very long, there are a few things that I am learning about ‘the real world’ that really emphasise this quote.


1. The first point is the hours people in the organisation work. This industry isn’t about your standard 9-5 job and defiantly doesn’t offer much separation between your work and private life. PFF employees just about live and breathe the event. In all the days I have worked so far, I have stayed back past my agreed 5.30pm finishing time, with the end of my day getting progressively later and the start time of my day getting progressively earlier. Most people don’t take a break for lunch; they eat at their desk. Possibly popping out for coffee or to pick up some food for 5 minutes when they can. 


2. My second point is the importance of organisation and time management. I am beginning to be given work by employees other than my direct manager, which can often get confusing and make me feel a bit all over the place.  The events industry is very fast-paced, information is often handed to you verbally and deadlines can be short and adjusted constantly. I have realised it will be imperative I write absolutely everything down, make lists, use sticky-notes, anything that will ensure I remain organised amongst the chaos. 


I am looking forward to seeing the result and rewards of an internship that will require great dedication and hard work. “Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.”- Confucius. 

PR placement continued

Hey everybody!!! I hope everyone is enjoying their internships.
This is my second update on my internship as I approach the halfway mark! As usual, I’ve had to do a number of magazine and newspaper PR calls based on specific briefs (as explained in my last blog post) to start the day off. I thought I would add a photo of our entrance/reception, the PR ‘area’ and all the products we specifically use for PR purposes and the last few photos are of the showroom where important meetings with clients are held as well as internal meetings.

August has been an immensely busy month (new fashion season; Spring/Summer 10/11). I’ve been really lucky that I’ve come at such a busy time for the company. Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) is a global charitable initiative and seeks to raise public awareness and funds for breast cancer research; specifically research into breast cancer and younger women. Peep Toe has created four products for this cause, with 40% of profits being donated to the charity. This year the theme is black and white, so Peep Toe have produced for sale, a clutch, pair of heels, flats and a Swarovski bracelet. I helped set up the stand in the store in Paddington store and actually was able to speak with a customer who was buying a pair of the heels who was also a breast cancer survivor. This is the first time Peep Toe has been involved in any kind of ‘corporate social responsibility’ or charitable causes. Starting off with just one employee/owner four years ago into what is now 50 employees, it seems this is the first year that 2010 is the first year the company has been able to give back. I’m looking forward to what else the team comes up with in the future! Here are some photos from the launch event (some of the girls were invited to it and said they had a really great night).

Grazia, the magazine has organised a massive event at ‘the Intersection’ in Paddington, Sydney. ‘The Intersection’ is made up of 18 stores (for example, Sass & Bide, Zimmermann, Camilla and Marc), located on the ‘intersection’ of Glenmore Rd and Oxford Street in Paddington. There is even a blog dedicated solely to this area (http://blog.theintersectionpaddington.com.au/). Our company is one of the select stores in this prestigious part of Paddington and thus, we were included largely included in the event. The premise of the Grazia event was to invite readers to a big shopping event and receive giveaways, store discounts, meet the owners/designers of their favourite boutique stores and have fun with a great atmosphere (almost like a ‘street shopping party’) including accessibility to food, drinks and music. In our store, for example, the company owner and designer, Nikki, was in store (to talk to customers and media) and all customers were allowed a 20% discount and a glass of champagne. There were also designers/owners of Camilla and Marc, Ksubi and Kirrily Johnston to name a few of the designers who were also there in their own stores for the night.


I had to talk to customers, journalists, stylists and other PR practitioners working on the event who came to chat within the store (from Grazia magazine and other publications and company’s such as Sweaty Betty Public Relations). It was great to see everyone in action and overall it was a very successful and smooth running night!




I also wanted to make a quick comment on the girls in the office. The owner, Nikki Hager, has also been there and I’ve been able to chat with her a lot as well. They have all been so helpful and really lovely to me which is great! I really admire their hard work. I’ve never really witnessed an office atmosphere before and it has been really eye-opening. I arrive at 9am and many of the girls are already stuck into work and when I leave at 5:30 they are still intensely typing on their computer and answering calls with many finishing as late as 7pm and going home to do further work (i.e. post things on the Peep Toe Facebook page etc)!

I think that’s all for today!
Until next time!

Siobhan Finley