Conference and Hospitality Show Launch Innovative Student Volunteer Programme
The North’s premier exhibition for meeting and conference organisers has launched a volunteer programme aimed at undergraduates. The Conference and Hospitality Show which is taking place on March 18th 2010 at the Royal Armouries Leeds has created a student volunteer programme for the event in conjunction with Leeds Met University (LMU), who run the UK Centre for Events Management.
Show Organiser, Emma Cartmell, has designed a programme where students are recruited from the Event Management degree course to assist at the Show in various capacities, so that they can gain valuable work experience in Exhibition organising and managing.
This is a formal programme; LMU has so far had interest from over 50 students keen to take part in the programme, and training is planned over the next 3 -4 weeks so that students can understand what is expected of them and also what career opportunities there are.
Glenn Bowdin, Head of the UK Centre for Events Management at Leeds Met commented:
“We are delighted to be supporting this prestigious regional event which will support the corporate events industry and provide our students with event experience. This unique opportunity supports the UK Centre for Events Management’s commitment to enhancing theory and practice in events management for our undergraduate and postgraduate students.”
One of the volunteers, Rachel Berry said:
“I am currently in my first year of studying events management at Leeds Met. For many years I have wanted to pursue a career in the conferencing and exhibitions sector. The Conference and Hospitality Show is a fantastic opportunity to further my experience of the inner working of such events.”
Show sponsor, Nicky Lockwood, Head of Conference Leeds the Convention Bureau for Leeds and West Yorkshire, said:
“We are delighted with the response so far from students and are impressed with the skills and professionalism of the volunteers. This is giving vital experience to Event Management Students and also raising the profile and standards of the Exhibitions Industry.”
The exhibition is also being supported by Welcome to Yorkshire.