My First Event

I cant believe this is only my second post and it's almost half way through the semester! Time just flies by. I really need to start blogging more often. Especially, after reading everybody else's exciting times at their internships.

Back in my second week for working at Via Appia, I helped out at an event they were hosting, US Ambassador Bleich was speaking at a luncheon held at the Parmelia Hilton. I arrived, and got shot straight into it, name tags had to be cut and made and put into alphabetical order (so later on we didn't have to stress about it at the event) This was one of those fiddly, tedious tasks that had to get done. Once that was finished, we pretty much packed the car full of all our needs and went to the Hilton to set up.

Once we were there, we were briefed on what needed to be done and who was going to what. The set up included setting up the name tags for the registration table, placing the goodie bags on everybody's seat, set up the projector and slide shows, make sure the microphones were working, decorated the lobby with blue white and red streamers, but made sure it was tasteful and also set up the seating chart. Another effect which the team at Networking WA did that i thought was really effective, they set up water for the guests but dyed them blue red and white. It looked amazing all set up.

When the guests started to come in I was in charge of the registration table and greeting them which was a really good way of meeting people and seeing who attended these events. A main skill i think is important with PR is being able to talk to people. Meeting new people is so beneficial, it helps get your own name get out there which can lead to more networking options and opportunities in the future. Once everybody was seated in the room and no more guests were arriving , I was lucky enough to be able to sit and listen to Jeffery Bleich talk and eat lunch as well!!

For those who don't know Ambassador Bleich, he is the US ambassador for Australia, also really good friends with President Obama. He was talking about all the problems that we will face in the future and how innovative leaders are necessary to overcome these. He was very interesting. He also brought up social media and how important it can be. This being said throughout is talk, a live twitter stream was set up. This was to enable people to comment about what Mr Bleich was saying as well as ask him questions in this method, it also opened it up to the general public if they wanted to ask or comment about him. I thought this was a great idea. Great way to keep to audience interested and able to interact with the speaker.

Once he finished talking had to race to the exit so when people leave i could collect their badges ( a very important job)

Once we were back in the office, Rebecca asked me to write an article about the day so they can post it on their blog. I was very nervous at first in not knowing where to start writing but eventually it just all came spilling out on the page.
The next week i found out that they did ACTUALLY put it on their website

http://www.networkingwa.com.au/category/public-content/blog/

just in case anybody wants to read it...

Thanks everyone. happy interning.