PEMC BASH

The purpose of the PEMC (Professional Event Management Certification) BASH is to connect former students who have completed the PEMC certificate program and have established careers in event management with current students who are either working towards the PEMC or those who may be interested in pursuing it. The first-ever PEMC BASH was held on September 10, 2019, at the Hildebrand Equine Complex. Furthermore, this event incorporated a travel theme to emphasize the idea of Aggies going places and the destinations they could end up in after graduation. This event was a full-day affair and included a luncheon session, the networking event itself, and a reception. The luncheon session was with former PEMC students, the event planners, and our clientele, Mrs. Shafer and Mrs. Melyssa-Anne Stricklin to discuss ways that the PEMC program could be improved. Following the luncheon, the network session began which consisted of twenty former students meeting with five students at a time for seven five-minute rounds. Once the networking session concluded, current and former students were able to network with anyone they felt they missed or would like to talk to for longer while enjoying catered hors d'oeuvre.

As one of the Student Event Coordinators for this event, I was tasked with everything from the construction of the playbook for the event to be presented to the clients down to the implementation of the event itself. In our Event Management Operations I class, we had the opportunity to choose an event that piqued our interest and tailor a playbook to it. The playbook consisted of the goals, objectives, marketing plan, S.W.O.T analysis, financial plans, site plan, registration, personnel, activities, risk management, and evaluation of the event itself. Once we created our playbook we had the opportunity to present to our clientele. After the event had been approved, we got the opportunity to carry out the event in our Event Management Operations II class. Within this event project, I was in charge of creating and ensuring we stayed to our projected budget, designing take-aways for our former student guests, developing a registration system, and booking catering for the event. On the day of the event, I was tasked with everything from set-up to tear-down, as well as announcing when students needed to change stations throughout the event. 

This event has taught me more than another event I volunteered during my time at Texas A&M University. First, this event showed me how to fully start from scratch with just a client’s idea to a full-scale event in just a couple of months. Additionally, this event taught me the importance of always adhering to your timeline when it comes to booking a venue, catering, ordering decor, and of most importance, marketing your event. We faced a couple of issues in getting out emails to students about the event, as well as making them aware that you had to register to attend the event. However, from this, I learned that it is best not only to send multiple emails but start marketing as soon as your client approves the event. Additionally, during the networking aspect of the event, we faced issues with the unfasten seat belt noise that was to direct guests to change tables. Hence, I learned before the start of any event, test all and any audio systems to assure they are working properly. Furthermore, during this event, we also faced issues with getting our pre-paid parking permits to our former student guests. From this, we learned it would best to send these via email to or guests before the event for them to have printed and already set in their cars. Finally, through this event, I learned the importance of ensuring that all your distinguished guests at a networking event have students to network with each round. Due to the fact, that we had pre-set tables for students before the event. However, we were able to redirect students to those empty seats and ensure an overall successful first-ever PEMC BASH at Texas A&M University.