University News Last updated 04 May 2011
School of Media students from Birmingham City University have been given the opportunity to have an input into the communication methods employed by the NEC Group for their events and exhibitions, in the hope of improving NEC customers’ experiences.
In a research project, funded by the NEC Group, students from the MA Events and Exhibition Management course travelled to Paris, London and Manchester last month to visit major venues in these cities and compare how their communication techniques differed from that of the NEC, as part of their latest module assignment.
The project, developed over the past three months by degree leader of the course, Duncan Sedgwick – working with senior event managers at the NEC, Michelle Adderley and Sandra Williams - took students to Excel in the Docklands, Earls Court, GMEX in Manchester and the Cité des Sciences et de l’industrie in Paris.
During these visits, students had the opportunity to interview leading event organisers and managers and venue management teams to discuss their methodology, with an emphasis on their use of emerging new technologies and how they enhance visitor experience.
Using the information gathered from the research, the students are now putting together high level, formal presentations for the board members of the NEC Group to suggest ways in which the NEC can improve their current visitor experience. The NEC Group will then consider the most effective ideas, from the students, for possible implementation into their future development strategy.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the students to not only develop their skills and knowledge of the industry but also a great opportunity for the NEC to work alongside event managers of the future,” said Kathryn James, Managing Director of the NEC Group. “We are looking forward to what initiatives develop from the research and we hope this will be the first of many more combined projects with Birmingham City University.”