By Spring 2026 Special Events Intern – Alexandria Cerrat
I spent this spring as the Special Events Intern at Empire Events Group. As I reflect on my time here, it feels fitting to view it as an event I helped “produce” – one that challenged me, shaped me, and ultimately gave me new skills that I will carry forward in my career.
Theme
When planning an event, there is always a theme that shapes the experience planners want attendees to take with them. This theme was clear from the beginning: professional growth and uncovering a deeper understanding of my own potential.
When I started at EEG, the sheer amount of new information and office protocols was overwhelming (Google Drive 😧), but now, four months later, I can look back with pride at my progress. I walked in with limited knowledge about event planning, nervous to make phone calls, organizing auction inventory, and having only a basic understanding of their clients. I’m walking out as someone with greater confidence in all those areas.
I gained confidence realizing that, much like an event in its early stages, any new internship or job can come with a sense of uncertainty at first – but with time, patience, grace, and perseverance, everything does come together in the end.
Guest List
Who’s invited? My office colleagues were at the top of the guest list! Throughout my experience, they were always willing to answer my questions, teach me new skills, and help me navigate a variety of tasks. Beyond that, they fostered a welcoming and supportive environment that made it much easier to adapt to the pace and routine of the office. Their guidance, patience, and encouragement played a significant role in my growth, and I am grateful for everything I learned from them.
Itinerary
Leading up to an event, creating a “run of show” is essential to ensure organization and structure throughout the day. My own version would change based on priorities and client needs. An average day as an intern typically looked something like this:
10:00am – Arrival + Prep for the Day
Checking emails, reviewing priorities, and updating spreadsheets quickly became part of my morning routine. No two days looked exactly the same, which taught me how important adaptability is in event planning.
11:00pm – Social Media Calendar + Event Logistics
Organizing guest information, updating documents, and preparing materials for upcoming events, so much detail goes into creating a seamless experience behind the scenes. This was also a time for me to update our social calendar and create posts on Canva and schedule them as needed.
1:00pm – Lunch
When we weren’t in full event-crunch mode, the entire team made it a point to take lunch together. It was a chance to step away from our desks, enjoy a meal, and recharge. We spent plenty of lunches playing an addictive dice game called Zilch 😍, sharing laughs, and enjoying moments of camaraderie that helped break up the pace of a busy workday and strengthened our team along the way.
2:00pm – Organize Inventory
Keeping track of our auction inventory was a major part of my role on the team. This included reviewing items in our company app to ensure that photos, descriptions, and other details were accurate and up to date. I was also responsible for reaching out to potential donors and securing auction items for upcoming events. Maintaining an organized inventory system helped the team efficiently track incoming and outgoing items and ensured we were well-prepared for each event.
5:00pm – End of Day
Time to head home, unwind, and get ready for another great day tomorrow.
Takeaway
When a production comes to an end, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on the experience as a whole. Having the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a business that helped me further develop my professional skills is something I will always be grateful for.
While there were certainly moments that felt overwhelming, I was able to work through them with the support of an incredible team. Along the way, I could see my confidence and abilities grow. Being part of a production from start to finish gave me valuable insight into everything that happens behind the scenes, and seeing it all come together was incredibly rewarding. Knowing that I played a role in helping make it happen makes the experience even more meaningful.
As this chapter comes to a close, I am leaving with valuable knowledge, experience, and a clearer understanding of the qualities I want to cultivate in both myself and my professional life moving forward.
Thank you, EEG!!!!! <3
