Portfolio for Trade Show/Exhibition - Reed Exhibitions

Event Summary

You work as an events executive for Reed Exhibitions (a media company specialising in the management of exhibitions and trade fairs.You want to organise a trade show/exhibition for an industry of your choice, therefore you have been asked to prepare a 2,000 word portfolio for a trade show/exhibition.  Your chosen trade show/exhibition idea should be a new concept to Reed Exhibitions.  

Section 1:  Event Summary (200 words)

A brief overview of what the event is, its vision and mission, objectives, where the event will take place, potential attendees and exhibitors, and who benefits from the event.

Section 2: Event Overview (500 words)

This section needs to clearly set out the event strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; event vision, mission and values; event objectives and strategies; stakeholder analysis; target market in terms of attendees and exhibitors; and event management structure.  

Section 3: Event Requirements (700 words)

This section needs to explain what facilities, services and production equipment are required (for example site preparation, waste management plan, signage, exhibitor liaison, etc.), and human resource plan, issues of risk (with a risk assessment attached as an appendix), budgeting (with a financial plan also included in the appendix), logistics and design, and event evaluation plan

Section 4: Marketing and Communications Plan (400 words)

This section needs to give details on how you will effectively market your event to (i) potential attendees, and (ii) potential exhibitors (with a marketing and communications plan for both target markets included in the appendix).

A brief overview of the main points discussed in the main body.

Possible documentation:

oStakeholder mapping

oGantt chart

oBudget

oEvaluation form

oMarketing materials

oFloor plans

oPress release

oContingency plan

oRisk assessment documentation

This list is not exhaustive. You should discuss other relevant areas identified by you, drawing on your lecture notes, reading and personal research. The portfolio should contain evidence detailing the significance of event planning. Evidence of time management planning should detail how feasible your event concept is regards to matching your events’ needs and available resources to support its implementation. You need to provide evidence of an understanding of the different components involved in organising and running events to industry standards.  

Display a mastery of managerial, administrative, and practical skills in exhibition making and conference organising

Develop a range of writing skills in producing press releases, funding applications, gallery studies, catalogue essays, conference schedules, and proceedings.

Demonstrate working effectively in a group setting goals, managing time, and resources efficiently.

Demonstrate skills of observation, interpretation and criticism based on group discussions.

Have you provided an appropriate introduction to your portfolio?

Have you provided an overview of the exhibition and/or conference?

Is there a clear aim and objectives stated?

Have you included a discussion of the stakeholders involved in your event and the importance of these?

Is there evidence of research into the budget required? Is there an appropriate budgeting sheet demonstrating the profit and/or breakeven of the event?

Have you identified as many relevant risks involved and provided appropriate risk assessments?

Have you included information relating to marketing and public relations and the importance of this to events?

Have you provided information reacting to design and logistics? Is the event feasible?

Use of supporting data and evidence

Have you used relevant sources (e.g. journal articles, books, etc.) to back up your arguments? Have you used a range of reliable sources?

Overall presentation

Is the assignment well written?

Does the portfolio follow a clear structure?

Does the assignment adhere to an appropriate format?

Have you correctly applied Cite Them Right for your citations and reference list?

Is the assignment 2000 words?

In order to pass the module, you need to achieve a grade of at least 40% overall, and you need to achieve at least 30% in each assignment.  

You will need to retake an assignment if any of the following occur during the semester:

·You fail to achieve 30% or more for the assignment.

·You fail to achieve 40% for the module and you failed to achieve 40% or more for the assignment.

You will be expected to complete a similar piece of work for your re-assessment.  Your assignment brief will be available in Moodle in June.  Re-assessments are normally due in July.