Public Relations Students Run the Show

On November 26, 2006, a group of second-year public relations students worked together to put on the fund-raising event New Zealand Heat.

As part of a second-year Event Management course, public relations students spend a full semester, working in teams, to plan and implement an actual event.

Working with the theme Students Helping Students, the goal of this year's event was to raise funds for a student from the WINTEC College in New Zealand to come to Calgary to study public relations at Mount Royal College.

With almost $4000 raised for an exchange scholarship, the event was a great success.

The Event Planing Process

The process began in early September when the students were broken into small groups to brain storm ideas for an event to help Mount Royal build international relationships.

Each group pitched their ideas in front of the class and a panel of experts, and the concept was chosen to develop throughout the term.

Hands on Learning

Giving students the responsibility of all aspects of such an event provides a fantastic learning experience on many levels.

In addition to planning the theme and concept, the students were also involved with:

  • Working with an interior design student to develop the theme and decorations.
  • Ticket sales and event promotion, including the design and distribution of the poster.
  • Working within a budget to arrange the food, prizes and entertainment.
  • Coordinating the entertainment, which included POI dancers and three bands (Mocking Shadows, Trip The Lights and The Cranston Foundation).
  • Overcoming significant challenges, including poor weather and problems with the venue.

About 130 people attended the event.

Click here to contact us with any questions about the public relations program.