Summer on the Scene: Reflecting on My Time as Special Events Intern at Empire Events Group

By Summer 2025 Special Events Intern Haley DiPietro

As summer draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the past few months as the Special Events Intern at Empire Events Group. This role brought countless new opportunities and experiences that I’m incredibly grateful for. What started as a pre-existing interest in event planning has now grown into a true passion that I’ll carry with me into my next chapter.

Jumping Right In

I joined the team in May 2025, about three weeks earlier than the typical summer start date, which meant diving headfirst into peak Spring Benefit Season. From my very first day, I saw how fast-paced, collaborative, and detail-oriented the world of special events is, especially during crunch time! As an intern, I was able to contribute meaningfully for both large-scale productions and smaller more intimate gatherings.

My Summer at EEG

I joined EEG during peak season and my very first event was The Drama League Awards. This was a star-studded event and, while I handled some of the typical intern tasks (lunch orders for volunteers and supply runs), I also took on a more impactful role in capturing social media content, which had me moving between spaces throughout the venue during the red carpet and awards. I also assisted in other areas, such as set-up, registration and breakdown. Even though I’d only been at EEG for four days prior to The Awards, this whirlwind event had me feeling like I’d been part of the team for months.

After the Drama League Awards, I shifted back into office mode and tackled tasks such as drafting post-event social media and preparing for the next event. Soon, I was working on silent auction outreach for Sunset Jam, a benefit for The Kristen Ann Carr Fund. This was my first time working on a new project from the initial stages, which included making calls to potential donors. Seeing this event, which was held at the Transparent Clinch Gallery in Asbury Park, come together from start to finish was truly special. Looking back, this was my favorite event of the summer!

By late June, we were gearing up for UPLIFTNY25 benefitting The Giving Back Foundation. Initially, I was simply assisting with general tasks related to the event, but come event day, I found myself backstage and contributing meaningfully as part of the  production team – keeping talent on schedule for their cues and staying on comms all day, coordinating directly with the Assistant Stage Manager and Production Team. It was unlike anything I’d ever done before and completely “un-marketing-major” of me, but it turned out to be one of the most rewarding and unique experiences I’ve had.

All the Emotions

When I first interviewed with the team, I felt an immediate warm welcome, and I knew this would be a place where I could make friends! Officially meeting everyone in person was such a great moment (special shoutout to the cat-terns, of course).

The early excitement turned into motivation, confidence, and even anticipation. At UPLIFTNY25, walking around with my comms set, I had a moment of imposter-syndrome, but it was outweighed by gratitude. I was trusted in that role, supported every step of the way, and encouraged to grow.

Looking Ahead

As my time at EEG comes to an end, I’m leaving with countless memories, valuable skills, and a deep appreciation for the people I’ve worked alongside. This internship has been equally rewarding for my career as it has for my personal growth. While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, I’m excited to see where my path leads next, carrying forward everything I’ve learned as the Summer 2025 Special Events Intern at Empire Events Group.