My name is Lisa Matsui, and I am a rising senior majoring in Global Communication, with an emphasis in Japanese and a minor in Public Relations. Through this blog, I hope to convey my experience as an intern, for an event venue called the Spring Field Banquet Center. My internship began in January before it was interrupted in March, and continued in July, I’ll also be describing my experience in the event industry both before and during the context of the pandemic.

Wedding ceremony preparations in Carnation Hall. Photo by Lisa Matsui on Feb 7, 2020.

This internship experience, both on-site and later online, equipped me with quick and critical thinking. Between booking events, assisting with set-up, and creating media graphics, the fast-paced work environment makes it quite difficult to pin instances exclusive to any one communication theory. With that said, success in these endeavors mostly stemmed from the posture of “listening to understand, not to respond.” Any service industry or business can attest that clients desire, above all things, to be heard in their situation.

While customer service poses its challenges, the experience strengthened my muscle of empathy, pushing me to consider every event detail with a depth that matched customers’ concerns. As the internship progressed, I found myself excited by adversity, because I began to view hurdles as opportunities to innovate in ways that sometimes exceeded the original plan.

Of course, when it comes to expecting the unexpected, no one could have anticipated the toll COVID-19 would take on businesses. The event industry has been no exception. In recent months, my job description drastically changed from what it used to be. Rather than focusing on booking and hosting events while keeping graphics or media posts on the side, my digital projects soon became the center of my internship role.

Virtual venue tour created by Lisa Matsui. The rest of the series may be found in the Highlights section of @springfieldbanquet on Instagram!

I initiated various series on Instagram such as the Virtual Room Tour. Even prior to the pandemic, customers frequently asked about the guest capacity of the rooms, what those rooms looked like, and what types of events each room was commonly used for. While the answers to these questions can be found on the website, the fact that people still asked made me realize most people will only seek information where it is quickest. With that realization, in addition to the limit on in-person venue tours, I pieced together an Instagram Story series featuring photos of the venue rooms, each paired with aesthetic captions of its respective dimensions and uses. This resulted in a major success, as media engagement increased, and many customers expressed their gratitude for the accessible information.

I have learned events are not merely important for the “fun” they possess. Studies show that human beings need events as mental cues to fully comprehend and embrace the significant chapters of their lives. These events are not just meant to get a cute picture out of it; they are to paint a special memory so that people may have a tangible chapter to look back on.

Birthday reunion in the Bridal Suite. Photo taken by Lisa Matsui on Mar 16, 2020.

 

 

 

 

Human cues, fun times, cherished memories; call it what you will, but experiencing this internship amid the challenges of 2020, in particular, has transformed my view and value of events. This experience has equipped me with flexibility and diverse skillsets, both of which I appreciate as a communication major. There was always something so beautiful about the fact that no one day looked the same in the event industry; it was because of this experience that I can walk away with a range of skills that I am confident will be applicable to future careers.