Working with Leeds Beckett University and the Future Stars of the Events Industry

Horizon Leeds’s Facilities & Venue Operations Manager Natalie Pitts discusses how her relationship with the UK Centre for Events Management at Leeds Beckett University supports our CSR aims and the future stars of the events industry.

Our corporate social responsibility, or CSR, is very important and we like to give back to the community by supporting local businesses wherever possible. We also work closely with one of our local universities, offering three students work experience every year. It not only keeps us on our toes, we feel it’s really important to support new talent interested in working in the events industry.

Approaching challenges practically, as well as creatively

An alumni of Leeds Beckett University, I really enjoy spending time with final year students doing some ‘speed dating’ style sessions, for their Business Event Production module. Along with a number of industry professionals, I spend around 10-15 minutes with each group of students. We listen to their pitches and provide feedback and advice on how to develop their ideas, based on our practical industry experience. Having done the module and the pitch myself, it’s always great to go back and offer support and guidance from both an industry and student perspective. It’s so beneficial for the students to get this kind of support and it enables them to really understand event production issues and approach challenges practically, as well as creatively.

Securing the rewards of site visits

I also undertake regular site visits with the final year Event Management students. They visit us here at Horizon Leeds and we chat to them about venue and event management, conference and event production, then open the floor for them to ask questions about working in the events industry, their dissertations and life after university. Simon Bell, Course Director the MSc in International Events Management and Senior Lecturer Ruth Dowson said,

“The UK Centre for Events Management at Leeds Beckett University has certainly benefited from the relationship with Horizon Leeds. We have worked with Megan MacBrairdy, Venue Sales and Marketing Manager and Natalie Pitts, Facilities and Venue Operations Manager, since Horizon opened. Their input is highly valued by our students and contributes a quality aspect to the module, which is recognised by our external examiners.”

We hope to be working with Leeds Beckett University for the foreseeable future and keep an eye on those rising stars!

Find out more about Natalie, part of our Horizon Team.