Students taking Aida Memisevic’s Event Management II class gain hands-on experience planning and executing a professional event
Students and staff at the University of Guelph-Humber (U of GH) were treated to some rest and relaxation thanks to the efforts of third- and fourth-year business students in the experiential Event Management II course, part of U of GH’s commitment to real-world learning.
This was the “U of GH Ultimate Pajama Party” – a next-level professional event planned and run by students aimed at providing a relaxing “wellness day retreat” experience for guests amid the stress of final exams and projects.
“This is a course that I would recommend to anyone, even if you're not in the event planning space or thinking of being in the industry. It gives you tons of real-world experiences, and so many skills that are extremely transferable into other areas of your life,” Event Management II student Angelica Audia said.
During their event, which drew in around 350 attendees, students welcomed the Guelph-Humber community to the University’s atrium, where the area was decorated with a serene green theme, and complimentary activities promoting rejuvenation were offered, such as colouring, shoulder massages, meditation, building a zen garden, and more. There were also refreshments designed to be enjoyed in a communal dining experience at a 14-foot- long table. The event was a culmination of hard work the students did over the semester to plan it and ensure it ran smoothly.
The students also decided to host “the nail board resilience challenge” to draw visitors in. Through this unique experience, guests were challenged to experience stepping on a Sadhu nail board, simulating acupuncture (under the supervision of a certified practitioner). “You're getting stronger. You're pushing past that mental barrier, and you're challenging yourself for the better of yourself,” Event Management II student Sabrina Policelli explained about why they chose to include the nail board. Like any real event, this student-run one was designed to grab attention through both its experience and marketing.
"This course is both challenging and exciting, giving students the chance to work with real-life scenarios, budgets, and deadlines," Memisevic said. "It’s perfect for those looking to develop practical skills that employers value – skills they can showcase in portfolios and discuss in interviews. Through planning and executing the event, students gain confidence, hands-on experience, and a true sense of accomplishment."
The class worked hard to make the event exciting and a success, from budgeting, to marketing, to working with a graphic designer for advertising materials, to catering, and more. Working on the event taught Audia about the value of teamwork and having strong communication skills.
“[Planning this] gives you a lot of real-world insight. There are struggles… Sometimes there are emails that don't get sent out right away or deadlines that get missed. It really teaches you how to stay on top of your work. And when situations do come up, find creative solutions to fix these issues when they are happening, and continue to move forward and push forward through the adversity,” Audia said.
Partnering with other people who have different working styles was also a useful exercise for Policelli, who thought this helped her feel prepared for a career where you don’t necessarily pick who you work with on projects.
The students felt that successfully executing the event was rewarding. Audia said she knew the Ultimate Pajama Party was a hit because of all the positive feedback she and her classmates received, including from fellow students and Guelph-Humber program chairs.
And along with the valuable mentorship students received from Memisevic and the important lessons they gained to prepare them for their careers also came lifelong memories. Outside of the classroom, Audia and Policelli are friends, and sharing the experience of working on the Ultimate Pajama Party together was something they won’t ever forget.
“It’s going to sound cheesy, but I would say the most memorable part was being able to do this with Angelica [Audia]…It really solidified how well we work together and being able to execute this event,” Policelli said.
To learn more about the impressive work Event Management II students produce, click here.
