NEC Group leads live events legacy with Event Week Live
15 March 2023The NEC Group has held its most successful Event Week Live to date, welcoming undergraduate students from local universities to its venue for a taster of the live events industry.
The programme saw 28 event management students from Birmingham City University and Coventry University visit campus for an entire week, receiving talks, advice and guidance from a variety of leaders on the NEC campus.
Coinciding with National Careers Week (6th-11th March), Event Week Live gives students an insight into the real workings of an industry leading live events business, during one of the UK's most high-profile exhibitions, Crufts.
This included visiting back of house to see the different and varied roles available within the events industry, as well as a trip to NEC sister venues, Resorts World Arena and Vox Conference Venue, which also feature on campus.
Head of Events for the NEC, Michelle Baldwin, who has led the initiative from its inception said: “With each year that we run Event Week Live, the more we have been able to enhance and adapt the content further. Designed to give an immersive week-long look into our industry, our aim is to inspire the next generation of talent, and what better way to do this than with one of our flagship and world-renowned events, Crufts!"
Michelle began Event Week Live in 2011, after realising her passion for developing young talent and showcasing the variety of roles within live events. Many of the students who have taken part over the years have since become fully-fledged live events professionals, working across the industry, with ten individuals currently in roles across the NEC Group.
She continued: “Our vision for the programme is to make the Midlands the region of excellence for live events talent. It doesn’t just end after the week’s work experience – following the week, we then gift selected Elite students with a 12-month Group mentorship to help guide them in their career pathways.”
Event Week Live closed with a networking lunch held at the Vox, which featured talks from events specialists such as Easyfairs, NCC, Hydrock Events and the Association of Event Venues (AEV).
Dr. Libby Carter, Course Leader BA(Hons) Event, Venue and Experience Management, at Birmingham City University, said: “Events Week Live is such an important initiative to give students real insight into the industry.
“The week allowed them to gain vital knowledge, build their skills and share their passion with those that live and breathe events on a daily basis. The Elite program is an invaluable opportunity for our students and something they are extremely proud and excited to be a part of.”
Dr Benoit Senaux, Curriculum Lead for Events and Experience Management at Coventry University, said: “Event Week Live is a fantastic programme allowing students to gain an immersive experience of the live event industry. The associated 12-month mentoring scheme is an amazing opportunity for talented students to get exceptional guidance in developing their professional career.
“The NEC Group should be praised for leading the way with such an initiative, and we are honoured to collaborate with Michelle and her team in developing the event professionals of tomorrow."