Briony Baglin

What is your current role and outline your professional experience?

I am an Event Director and look after large international incentives and conferences with a large team of people supporting me. In my role, I focus on development of our people, retaining incumbent clients and executing programs for cievents key client accounts. I started at cievents more than four years ago as an Event Coordinator supporting a team of eight Event Managers and Directors. After working for cievents for 18 months, in July 2011, I was promoted to Event Manager and in June 2012, I moved into a Senior Event Manager role running larger programs and taking on international programs with larger teams working under me.

What career achievements are you especially proud of?

I operated an event in July 2014 in the position of 2IC for Flight Centre taking 3,350 delegates to Macau from all over the world. My role involved recruiting and managing all staff, inducting and training all staff and assisting the program director on all tasks. The event was a huge success. I organised flights, accommodation, food and beverage, boat and car transfers, registrations, pool parties, after parties, welcome night, half day conference and a gala awards ceremony – all in the space of 48 hours. Combine this with a language barrier, 3,500 fancy dress costumes, a delegate app, a team of 25 staff and a different time zone – it was exhausting but a super proud moment in my career watching it all unfold.

I also ran an event in April 2013 for the fashion label Ermenegildo Zegna where 200 journalists and members of the press were brought to Australia from all over the world for their annual wool awards ceremony. We had a number of A list celebrities attend the awards and managed all logistics for the VIPs including chartering planes. This event was run on a four week turn around with very tough clients (one based in Milan and the other in Japan). I am very proud of this event as it elevated my profile within cievents. I have also won three outstanding achievement awards at cievents over the last one and a half years for my contributions to the company’s growth and success.

How has your ICMS degree contributed to you achieving your professional goals?

My degree gives me credibility in the industry. It is a must-have in order to get a job at cievents so I can honestly say that without it I would not be where I am today. Cievents respects the discipline of a degree qualification and the theoretical knowledge provides a significant head start when beginning in the industry in an entry level role. It has also helped me to move up more quickly within the company.

What were the major contributing factors to your decision to study at ICMS?

At the time I graduated from high school, there were very few respected degrees in event management. At a career day organised by my school, I found out about the ICMS Event Management degree. The degree structure and the qualification you receive were very appealing to me. I knew as soon as I graduated high school that I wanted to attend ICMS.

Tell us about your industry training placement

My experience at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney was fantastic. I learnt so much about five star standards and discipline in the hospitality industry with regards to service, grooming and general day-to-day operations. I underwent a week-long extensive training induction program before beginning my banqueting role. This is where new starters meet management and learn about the standards in five star service in theory before practice. I stayed with the Four Seasons for just under two years after my industry placement finished. I enjoyed the position and loved working with the team there.

What were the highlights during your time at ICMS?

Industry experience was a highlight for me. I learnt most of my skills on-site at the Four Seasons during my nine months of training.

It was a brilliant experience where I met some amazing people and learnt everyday event management skills. I also enjoyed the term five event. The practical side of the program gives you a more realistic experience managing and executing an event which is translatable into any job after you graduate.

What advice would you give to someone considering study at ICMS?

Do your research and make sure the degree you want to study is the right one for you. Event Management is a team focused industry and it is very fast paced. It is important that you truly understand what the degree/industry entails and be 110% sure that you just can’t live your life without being a part of it. Be prepared for incredibly long hours and some very hard work but be excited for the amazing travel, brilliant learning experiences and wonderful people you will meet along the way.