NSU Senior Completes 6-day Internship Conference in Chicago

Allissa Lee Day, NSU senior from Kansas, OK, recently completed a six-day internship at the International Association for Exposition Management 2001 conference in Chicago. The internship was included as part of an IAEM Foundation scholarship valued at more than $4,500.

Day, who has a dual major in Meetings and Destination Management and Finance, was one of three students who received the award in an international competition. The scholarship consisted of a $2,000 cash award and an expense-paid trip to the 2001 conference held December 2-7, where she worked as a staff intern. The show is designed as a trade show from people who produce trade shows.

I attended a one-day course that covered the basics of exposition management, said Day, and helped set up sessions and answer questions. I learned how to handle problems that came up on site and was able to participate in operations from set-up to tear-down.

A highlight of her experience was the chance to meet Bear Grylls, a young British mountaineer who climbed Mt. Everest after a near-fatal accident. I have an autographed copy of his book, Day said. He was inspiring.

Many of Days intern duties were anticipated as a result of the subjects covered in her classes, but she also received first-hand experience in the extensive on-site work required for a successful trade show. We always heard you had to work long hours, but I didn't realize how physically demanding that would be. I should have taken a second pair of tennis shoes, she said.

Day attended the opening reception at Chicagos Field Museum, participated in the Chairmans Gala, and interacted with trade show managers from all over the world. Day is the first NSU student to receive an IAEM Foundation scholarship.

12/20/01

Published: 2001-12-20 00:00:00