An education in event management lends itself well to a hands-on approach. After all, what better way to learn about diverse hospitality venues and event spaces than seeing them in person? With this in mind, Australia’s Ivy College, known for its highly acclaimed online courses, allows Events Management students to apply for a New York City tour, giving them the opportunity to explore its thriving hospitality industry up close and personal and complete the practical component of their coursework in the process.

With an itinerary that included large venues like the Plaza Hotel, the Grand Hyatt, The Ritz and Gotham Hall, Ivy College’s Business and Management Trainer Vicki Garlick was eager to give her students a different perspective on the event industry. Local event managers referred her to the New York City Seminar & Conference Center (NYCSCC), a respected hospitality venue in the heart of New York City’s Flatiron District, for a site tour. But they were signing up for more than that.

On February 12, Garlick, 3 Ivy College staff members and a small group of 10 students walked in the snow (“a massive hit… for a short while the cold can be fun!” in the words of Ivy College’s Head of Marketing, Leticia Cavallaro) from Union Square to NYCSCC’s location at 71 West 23^rd Street.

NYCSCC’s Corporate Sales and Marketing Manager, Rob MacKay, kicked off the tour by showing the students around the Masonic Hall, the site of many intriguing NYC events. While the historic building, used and owned by the Freemasons, rents out space to companies like NYCSCC, many of its original 1865 rooms remain. The rooms are filled with majestic pillars, glittering chandeliers and classic furniture. Students posed for pictures in a historic setting that few other event spaces could hope to match, including the Renaissance Room (pictured below), where J.K. Rowling once gave a book reading. “The structural architecture was spectacular,” recalls Ivy College student Rosie Douglas, “and Rob gave us such an in-depth overview of the event space.”

 

Next, Rob showed the students NYCSCC’s facilities, including its seminar rooms, conference rooms and the lower level conference hall. Garlick, who boasts over 15 years of event management experience, was struck by the versatility of NYCSCC’s space: “it’s a blank canvas in a way that so many venues do not offer. Clients can do whatever they like with it, from a fashion show, to a product launch, to a board meeting.”

The students had only good things to say about their trusty tour guide, Rob MacKay. “Rob was outstanding, extremely professional and friendly, with a passion for events. He knew the venue inside out and answered all of the student’s questions in great depth.” Rob was similarly impressed with the students’ knowledge of the event industry, apparent in their thoughtful questions and comments. He was, however, a bit surprised to find out that they’d never heard of Derek Jeter. With the tour complete, NYCSCC staff bid their visitors a fond farewell, but not before Ivy College thanked us for our time with some delicious Australian Tim-Tams and other candies. Such are the benefits of cultural exchange in the hospitality industry.

Check out Ivy College’s Facebook page for photos of the NYC trip and other events/info

Check out NYCSCC’s website for value conferences, meetings, seminar and events in NYC’s Flatiron District