I'll have a strong latte please.

Day two of my internship completed!

The last couple of days have really opened my eyes into the world of Tourism and PR. Interning at the Tourism Council WA (TCWA) alongside the amazing Julie Wood, Gemma Hunter and Emma Page has revealed the fast-paced, high work-load nature of the PR and communications world.

After completing the induction checklist on my first day, I sat down with various team members and discussed the different aspects of the non-for-profit organisation and the multiple roles everybody takes on. The extensive task lists and events the TCWA compared to their small team blew my mind, how do they do it?

30 minutes later and I had been presented with the almighty Z drive. The TCWA's bible to everything. Contained in the drive was everything, perfectly labeled and easy to navigate. Nothing like a bit of organisation! Within the drive was the procedures manual, a 28 page document on everything, from how mail is sent, to what clothes are worn on what days. This document alone proved how a small company such as the TCWA with a gigantic responsibility is able to organise themselves and ensure consistency in their services. 

Lunch time did not see a casual walk down to the Crown's grounds, which by the way provide for a very picturesque office view. Instead, I accompanied Gemma, the lady of all trades, down to Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre to set-up and host a Leaders Roundtable event with Hon. Albert Jacob, minister for environment; heritage. After running through the event run-sheet with PCEC staff, setting up banners and ensuring every wine glass was sparkling clean, Gemma and I waited for the exclusive big-names and CEOs to arrive. The event was overall very successful and the no-shows were followed up by a not-so-happy phone call!

The rest of the afternoon consisted of about 30 offers for a cup-of-tea or coffee, a bit of office chit chat, and marking of about 40 assessment forms as part of a follow up from an event held by the TCWA last week. 

Ahhh .. another day in the office. Day two, and I almost felt like I was one of them!

I started the morning with a brief from Gemma with my tasks for the day. It was then time to apply my knowledge of PR Corporate techniques. In particular, event launches. It was my job to reword and create a document for the launch of the 2014 Perth Airport Tourism Awards.

Shortly after, five papers were put on my desk. Media monitoring time! The scissors came out and the reading began. What was relevant to the TCWA? What could potentially affect them?

I then had to rewind time back into the days of branding, identity and image. Task three was to create a corporate style guide consisting of fonts, logos, templates, terminology and colours for consistency and enforcement of the TCWA brand in all their communication and documents.

The coffee offer then came, I thought of the big tasks and responsibilities I had to complete for the day ... "I'll have a strong latte please".

Olivia Buck,
PR Intern @ Tourism Council WA