We speak to shadow board member and event organiser Aneri Shah about what she loves about studying Event Management, switching fields from Civil Engineering and embracing change as an industry.
Aneri has been actively involved in the industry for the past 3 years, primarily focusing on getting experience in all the segments of the industry and getting involved with diverse clients and teams to gain valuable insights. She strongly believes that events have the potential to leave a lasting impact, not only on attendees but also on the environment and communities.
Tell us where you are right now, and what do you love about your job/course?
Hello, currently I’m an International Events Management Master’s student at the University of Surrey on the cusp of finishing the course. I started last year, ie. September 2022, and I have been loving this course since then.
Throughout my journey of studying Events, I have got to learn so much. I have met so many different people from varied cultural backgrounds, all here for the same reason – Events.
I love how diverse this course has been, it has modules ranging from strategic planning to marketing, to actually executing events in the real world. And the part where I got to come up with an event, work in teams, plan, market, sell, and put it out there for people was the highlight of my whole course.
Tell us a bit about your journey to get there.
So, I am a Civil Engineering graduate, and during my final exams, COVID hit; that’s when I had a lot of time to test and try new things. I was always into events; I was a part of the events committee during my undergrad as well. So, that’s how and when I thought of getting into the events Industry.
I soon got a job, worked for various events in India and then thought of actually switching my field and exploring the events world. I then looked for a Master’s program to support me academically in the industry and that’s how I moved to the UK, and the rest is history.
For those readers still considering whether this industry is the right place for them, tell us what you most love about it. What appeals to you about this industry?
What appeals to me about this Industry is that no new day is the same, there is always something happening that you haven’t been through before. You get to meet new people, get to learn all about different locations, and cultures, and the growth that comes with it; not just professionally but individually as well. To be a part of something as amazing as this Industry is an exciting feeling.
Looking forwards, what do you think the future of the industry is going to look like? What changes are you excited to see?
As we move forward, I anticipate that the events industry will evolve significantly, especially in terms of technology. Already we have seen a dramatic shift to virtual events due to the pandemic. I believe this trend will continue, with hybrid events becoming more prevalent. This also opens up the possibility of offering more diverse experiences.
I’m also excited about the potential impact of emerging technologies like augmented and virtual reality on the industry. Imagine being able to ‘attend’ an event from anywhere in the world, or having interactive, immersive experiences right from your living room! The possibilities are endless, and it’s this sense of constant innovation that makes the industry so dynamic and fascinating to me.
If you could say one thing to the wider industry right now, what would it be?
To everyone out there creating these magical experiences called events, my message is simple: Embrace change. Nurture it. Celebrate it. The events industry, just like the events we plan, is a living, breathing entity—it thrives on adaptation and innovation. It’s an industry in flux, and we need to ride that wave, push the boundaries, and let our creativity soar.
As we step into this exciting new era, let’s remember that resilience, diversity, and inclusivity are our guiding stars. Change is not just about survival—it’s about using every twist and turn as a stepping stone towards growth and transformation. Let’s take a deep breath, embrace the challenges, and dive into the incredible opportunities that await us. After all, we are in the business of making the impossible, possible.