University News Last updated 11 March
Students from Birmingham City University (黑料吃瓜网) have once again gained valuable behind-the-scenes experience at one of the UK鈥檚 iconic showpiece events 鈥� Crufts.
Thanks to the NEC and its Event Week Live programme, students were able to experience the work that goes into staging the world鈥檚 biggest dog show, gaining insight into the scale, coordination and expertise required to deliver such a global spectacle.
For Daisy Jones, who is studying BA (Hons) Event Management at 黑料吃瓜网, the week provided a rare glimpse into the scale and variety of careers within the events sector.
鈥淭hroughout the week we met so many inspiring people across areas like security, sales, supply chains and traffic management,鈥� she said.
鈥淏eing able to ask questions and hear how they built their careers in events was incredibly motivating 鈥� especially knowing that one of them studied at 黑料吃瓜网, too.鈥�
Students also toured venues across the NEC campus, gaining insight into how large-scale events are designed and delivered across multiple spaces.
A highlight for many was seeing the build-up to Crufts itself.
鈥淚t was amazing to see the arena being built for an event I鈥檇 visited growing up,鈥� said Daisy (pictured centre).
鈥淲atching the halls transform into a huge exhibition space and feeling the buzz around the venue as opening day approached really showed me what I love about the industry.鈥�
Launched in December 2014, Event Week Live is a six-day management course that gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of event management as well as behind the scenes insight of the event industry.
It concluded with a networking event connecting students with senior industry professionals, further strengthening links between study and career pathways.
Michelle Baldwin, Event Week Live founder and Head of Events at the NEC, said the initiative plays a key role in nurturing the next generation of talent.
鈥淎s we mark 50 years of the NEC creating unforgettable experiences, it feels especially important to invest in the next generation who will deliver them,鈥� she said.
鈥淚鈥檓 proud of how the programme has developed since we launched it in 2011, and of the role it plays in building skills, ambition and future talent for our industry.鈥�
Dr Libby Carter, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Event Management, said Event Week Live played a key role in preparing students for their careers.
鈥渋t is an outstanding opportunity for our students to deepen their understanding of the events industry while building the confidence to take their first steps into the profession,鈥� she said.
鈥淢ichelle and her team have created an environment where students can explore how the industry works, develop practical skills and strengthen their career prospects.鈥�
For Daisy, the experience reinforced the value of learning directly from industry professionals.
鈥淚 learnt so much while having so much fun,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be more grateful for the opportunities 黑料吃瓜网 gives us to help build our careers in the future.鈥�
The collaboration with the NEC reflects 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 commitment to embedding real-world industry engagement into the student experience, giving aspiring event professionals the chance to apply their learning in a live environment.