An internship could well be the start of a career at Event Management Group (EMG). That certainly applies to Jerôme. Whilst studying Facility Management, he joined EMG for his final-year internship with Tapijn in Maastricht. He has now graduated, works as an assistant venue manager and regularly helps out at other venues within the group. And if it were up to him, it wouldn’t stop there. In time, he would like to manage an EMG venue himself.
Whilst studying Facility Management at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Jerôme already knew he wanted to move into the events industry. He chose minors in Event Management and Brand Management and, for his final-year placement, set out to find a place where he could put that interest into practice.
That’s how he ended up at Event Management Group He ended up at Tapijn in Maastricht. There, he undertook a six-month work placement and completed his final-year project with a grade of 8. Naturally, he was then offered the opportunity to continue working at EMG.
“I also gained experience in the hospitality industry at the well-known Café In Den Ouden Vogelstruys on the Vrijthof, where I learnt a great deal about hospitality. So the social aspect of my work is actually part of every day. You spend a lot of time interacting with guests and want people to feel welcome.”
Whilst his main aim during his work placement was to learn the ropes, he was given increasing responsibility in the period that followed. He is now involved, as assistant venue manager, in the preparation and running of events at Tapijn.
Beforehand, the team discusses which events are coming up and what needs to be taken into account for each one. On the day itself, the schedule is gone through once more. What set-up is required? When does something need to be ready? Are there any elements that require extra attention?
“You keep an eye on the staff, but also on the guests. Is everyone relaxing? Does everyone have something to drink? If there’s hardly anyone at the bar because something needs sorting out, then you know things are actually going well.”
For Jerôme, Tapijn is the place where his career at EMG began and remains his main base. When he first arrived there, he was hardly familiar with the location. Now, he sees above all just how many different possibilities it offers. The former military mess hall is situated next to the Stadspark in Maastricht and consists of one large event space with a terrace. The building’s history is still evident and, according to Jerôme, gives the venue its own unique character.
During guided tours, he therefore tries above all to show clients what is possible with the space. In his view, an empty hall does not tell the whole story.
“We like to showcase a variety of set-ups. This helps people visualise much more clearly what their own event could look like. In particular, the combination of indoor and outdoor spaces offers possibilities that clients don’t always think of in advance.”
A staff day, for example, could start indoors with a programme of activities, continue with drinks or a barbecue on the terrace, and then move back indoors later on. In the meantime, the room can be rearranged for a dinner or party.
“When people come back, the room suddenly looks completely different. That immediately gives a day like that a different dynamic.”
For Jerôme, working at EMG means that his work is not limited to Tapijn. He also regularly helps out at venues such as Rebelle in Maastricht and Stadbroekermolen in Sittard. As a result, he works with different teams, clients and types of events. He sees this variety as a major advantage.
“You experience all sorts of different situations – a funeral, a wedding, a staff party or a meeting. That means you’re always learning something new.”
Sometimes, different EMG venues are even combined within a single programme. For example, a group might have dinner at Tapijn first and then move on to Rebelle later in the evening. The teams then coordinate amongst themselves to determine what sort of group is coming and what needs to be taken into account during the programme.
“As far as I’m concerned, that’s the strength of this group. Each location has its own character, but at the same time we share knowledge, experience and staff.”
One of the productions that has left the biggest impression on Jerôme at Tapijn is an event organised by Rijkswaterstaat. Extensive set-ups were erected both indoors and outdoors, featuring various elements, stages, decorations and a huge party.
“A lot of things came together there. It really shows you just how much you can do with the venue.”
Still, an event doesn’t necessarily have to be big to be rewarding for him. That feeling comes mainly from the moment when a busy day has gone well.
“When the venue is full, everyone has worked hard and you hear afterwards that everything was organised brilliantly, that really is rewarding. If the guests leave happy, so do we.”
According to Jérôme, there is more preparation behind such a successful event than guests ultimately realise. It is precisely this, he says, that is sometimes underestimated.
“It takes quite a bit of time to organise an event properly. You have to deal with lots of different parties and elements, and everything has to fit together in the end.”
Where the majority of attention and budget is subsequently channelled varies from event to event. One client may want a great deal of attention paid to decoration and décor, whilst at another event, food, drink or entertainment may be more important.
That is why, at Tapijn, the planning process always begins with the same question: how does the client envisage the day itself? Only then do we consider how this can best be achieved within the venue.
As far as Jerôme is concerned, the fact that he stayed on at Event Management Group after his work placement is not just a stopgap solution. On the contrary, he sees opportunities within the organisation to develop further.
His own career already reflects this progression. He started as an intern, was then offered a contract and now works as an assistant location manager. He has also already spoken of his next ambition.
“It is a bit of a dream of mine to eventually manage a venue within EMG myself.”
For the time being, he is mainly gaining as much experience as possible. The work placement with which he had intended to complete his training thus turned out to be just the beginning.
