A Dream Becoming Reality
- Daniela Lopera
- Sep 16, 2013
- 7 min read
There is one question that I think is probably one of the most asked in society, we hear it when we are kids and it is repeated to us throughout the process of growing up.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” which with time becomes “what field of work do you want to go into?”
I think that just like any other kid my answer always varied, and I probably mentioned all of the careers possible. However, with time I started figuring out what I was good at, what I enjoyed doing and after a list of pros and cons, I embarked on a journey to get a B.A in Communications and Psychology.
First year of university I got asked the famous question: what field of work do you want to go into after graduation? And I was convinced at the time I wanted to be a journalist. Then some time passed and second year was knocking at my door. Once again I was asked by everyone around me: “what do you want to be when you graduate?”, and this time I wanted to do PR or marketing. In result of my interest towards these two paths, I took classes that would teach me more about the fields and make the answer to the question a clearer one. Third year of university dawned on me. Jitters and stress clouded my mind as I kept seeing graduation inching forward all the way from September. I felt the need to have my answer at hand, and as I began looking for jobs I kept seeing that the theory of communications and psychology that I had learnt were not going to help much in my quest.
Just like I had done in grade 8, I sat in my room and developed a list of skills, a list of interests and a list of what I definitely did not want to do. I prayed to God each night to give me wisdom and to help me choose a path that would help me with my future. I researched a lot and finally the answer came. The funny thing about the answer to the famous question: “what do you want to be when you grow up” is that it was never hiding. The answer was right underneath my nose; it was one that had always been an interest and present in my life.
Event Marketing is what I want to do. Events have always been what I’ve enjoyed doing whether it was in grade 8 as social chair planning socials, talent shows, or even the Halloween haunted house; or as a grade 11 student planning the 70th birthday celebration for the school; or even as a university student helping promote and raise funds for a non-profit organization. All my life I have been doing events, I have been involved with my community and I have enjoyed every single moment of it. Event Marketing became my illusion. Without a second thought I applied to Seneca, I prayed and hoped I would get in and I worked my butt off until I finally did. But there is one person who helped me realize that this was no more an illusion but a dream to become reality, Samantha Moonsammy. She allowed me to work events at Billings Bridge with her company Starfish Events, and then I saw how much I enjoyed events and just how much I want this to be my future.
On September of 2014 my dream, my illusion, started growing into a reality. I boarded the ship along with 47 other students and set sail to build our realities.
The new 47 students in the program of Event Marketing at Seneca College in Set Sail Orientation Week. Photo Credits to: Chris Bacchus
Seneca’s postgraduate program in Event Marketing has been up to now an amazing experience. The teachers involved in this program are of such beautiful characters. They show the desire to help us succeed, their teachings and personalities wrapped around such passion that is not possible for anyone near them not to experience it too. Their yearning to help us succeed extends beyond the classroom walls, which they showed us on the first week.
On Thursday, September 4, we embarked on the second day of our journey into Set Sail Orientation Week. On this day, our program coordinator scheduled us to visit the Luminato Festival and the PanAm 2015 corporate offices. This trip was meant for us to see some of the work that we could potentially do in the future as event marketers, as well as to network with others in the field and to add on to our dreams and soon to be realities.
The first stop in our trip in Toronto was the Luminato Festival office. As the bus pulled up, we noticed that the offices were inside of an old school building. When we walked in the scent of fresh coffee brushed our faces, the bright green colour walls and orange accents captured our eyes and seduced our emotions to become calm, and attentive. The atmosphere in the offices captured the artistic taste of each one of us. We sat down in one of the classrooms that was filled with little cubicle like stations and eagerly gulped down the information presented to us. We had the pleasure of meeting the CEO of Luminato, Mrs. Janice Price, who welcomed us to the office and shared with us a little bit of her passion for the festival. We also heard from Luminato’s Tim Walley, the Associate Director of Government Relations & Corporate Communications, who taught us a little bit about the history of the festival, as well as the festival’s focus and program pillars. Subsequently, Rebecca Peirson, the Manager of Marketing and Communications, as well as Rose Bianchini, Luminato’s Interactive Marketing Manager, presented to us the marketing work they do; from event logistics to brand colours, to social media and sponsorship relationships.
This visit was the one that impacted me the most. Arts and Culture is one of my passions, specially when it comes to Latin American Arts and Culture. Having come from Colombia, I have grown to love, cherish, enjoy and celebrate my culture. Therefore, when I found out that the next Luminato Festival will revolve around the Latin, Central and North American culture, I got really excited. As the presentation went on, ideas buzzed in my head. At the end of the presentation I approached Rose and spoke to her about different ideas I had. The response I got from her was very encouraging, she seemed interested in what I had to say, and at the end of the trip she told me to write to her and tell her more. The joy I felt leaving that office was immense, the sense of pride that my culture was going to be represented was indescribable, and then I knew, this is the field of event marketing I want to go into.
The second stop in our trip was the PanAm 2015 Toronto offices. The layout of the PanAm offices is quite different. The setting is not as serious, instead, the lounging area is vibrant with a screen flashing different pictures and videos, the sofas and chairs and abstract, and even the company name above the reception is fun to look at.
Carla & I at the Building Reception
Immediately I felt like a kid in a candy store, my eyes wandered everywhere, trying to enjoy every bit of colour and energy I could. While we waited I sat on a bright red sofa beside a man. He and I immediately started talking, we talked about the PanAm and the Latin American culture. He told me that he was going to go to Latin America to film the documentary for the PanAm, and was very excited to hear that I was from Colombia. We talked about the politics and safety of my country until I had to go.
Me sitting by the TO2015 Office Piano
Mural at the TO2015 Office
Once inside the PanAm 2015 offices, Kyle Iannuzzi, the Manager of Games Services Planning & Partner Integration took us under his wing. He showed us the office space which gives you a sense of trust, openness and creativity. The space has no closed offices, instead it is full of cubicles, even the CEO has a cubicle! Then, we were led to the kitchen lounge in which Kyle’s presentation took place. However, his presentation was interrupted a couple of times by eager PanAm staff who were excited to meet us.
Kyle Iannuzzi presenting to the Seneca Event Marketing Class
Kyle shared with us his experience with PanAm, the history of the PanAm Games, and the pros of having the PanAm Games in Toronto.
Holding the Olympic Torch at the TO2015 Offices
This was a great experience also as it let us see another aspect of event marketing, sport and event marketing. My favourite part of the PanAm 2015 Toronto office trip was getting to hold the 2010 Vancouver Olympic torch.
I think that no matter what field of event marketing each one of us was interested in, whether fashion, jewelry, sports, arts and culture or non-profit, these trips helped to solidify our dreams and our hopes for the program of Event Marketing at Seneca. It was an amazing experience getting to see the corporate side of events, how teams work together to bring an event from paper to live, and how they bring experiences those around them. I think that the event industry is an amazing, fun filled, demanding field that becomes one’s lifestyle.
So now, my question is answered, I want to be an Event Marketer for the Arts and Culture industry. I want to experience the different flavours that each culture has to offer and share them with the world
Class photo at the TO2015 Offices. Photo Credits to Chris Bacchus
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