Learning by Delivering: Inside this Term's Students’ Live Event
- The Event School London
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Each year, our Event Management students move beyond case studies and simulated briefs to deliver a live, multi-layered event as part of their Professional Practice module.
This year’s project, the Awards for Excellence 2026, brings together industry engagement, brand activation and formal ceremony in one carefully structured evening at the Novotel London ExCeL.
It is not a hypothetical exercise. It is a real event with invited industry guests, a defined audience and reputational stakes. That is precisely why it matters.
A Multi-Component Event
The event itself is strategically designed and includes:
An Industry Advisory Board meeting
Awards for Excellence ceremony
Product launch
Brand refresh activation
Celebratory drinks reception
Professional photography and videography
Each element has a distinct purpose and audience, yet they must operate as one seamless experience.
Students are responsible not only for logistics, but for tone, timing and guest journey from arrival through to departure.
Defined Roles, Real Responsibility
When the live phase begins, roles become sharply defined. The student leaders for the event this year inlcude:
Salma has been leading on hospitality and the drinks reception. She is overseeing the transformation of the bar area into an intimate post-awards reception space for thirty invited guests. That involves close liaison with the venue team, attention to service flow, spatial layout and overall atmosphere. Hospitality is often what guests remember most vividly, so precision here is essential.
Beatrice has carried out pre-event venue reviews, walking the space to ensure layouts, access routes and set-ups align with the event plan. Seeing the venue team already preparing reinforces an important lesson: event delivery is collaborative. Success relies on strong partnerships and clear communication.
Regina has taken responsibility for two strategically significant areas. She is managing the operational delivery of the Industry Advisory Board meeting, ensuring the environment supports focused, productive discussion among senior professionals. At the same time, she is directing the content plan and on-the-night media for the Awards Ceremony and Drinks Reception, coordinating photography, videography and key announcements so that the event’s narrative is captured with clarity.
Tallulah will act as Event Manager, overseeing the operational flow across all components. It is a leadership role that requires calm decision-making, situational awareness and constant communication. Much of this work will go unnoticed by guests, which is usually the sign it has been executed well.
The Work Behind the Event
Preparation has included intensive planning sessions, supplier coordination, budget reviews and detailed risk assessments.
Students stepped out of the classroom environment for focused planning time in central London, working through timelines, refining schedules and confirming operational details.
Live events are rarely glamorous in the preparation stage.
They are built on administration, disciplined follow-up and countless small decisions. This is where professional habits are formed.
Why Live Events Matter in Event Education
There is a significant difference between discussing event management and practising it. Through this live project, students experience:
Accountability to real guests and stakeholders
The pressure of fixed deadlines
The complexity of multi-component programming
The importance of teamwork and defined responsibilities
The interplay between operations and brand reputation
They learn that timing affects atmosphere. That communication prevents problems. That credibility is built through consistency.
Most importantly, they leave with more than theoretical understanding. They leave having delivered.
Professional Practice is designed to bridge education and industry. By planning and executing a live event of this scale, students gain not just experience, but confidence grounded in action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which students get to take part in live events?
Live events form part of the six month and one year full time Event Management courses.
Students on these programmes move beyond classroom learning and take responsibility for planning and delivering real events as part of their Professional Practice studies.
It is an integral component of the curriculum rather than an optional extra.
What different types of live events have students delivered?
Over the years, students have designed and executed a wide range of concepts, including:
• A Hollywood style product launch
• An Oscar themed awards ceremony
• A glamorous summer party
• A series of outdoor luxury picnic experiences
• A marquee showcase
• A sporting event on the Royal Docks featuring raft building and competitive challenges
• Event industry networking evenings
Each project is different in tone and audience, giving students exposure to varied formats, themes and operational demands.
Do students ever work on external industry events?
Yes. In addition to internal live projects, students have contributed to external industry initiatives.
Previous cohorts have undertaken research projects for an Olympic venue, supported luxury event planners, assisted with industry sympoisiums and assisted with the planning of national sporting events.
These opportunities allow students to observe and contribute within established professional environments, gaining insight into different sectors of the industry.
Are there other opportunities to gain hands on experience?
Yes. We operate a dedicated Student Opportunity Board that circulates paid and voluntary roles throughout the year.
These include festival volunteering, charity event support, assisting London’s leading planners, working on large scale venue based events and undertaking paid assignments with agency partners such as Event People. Opportunities arise across London and, at times, across the wider UK.
This ensures students can continue building practical experience alongside their studies.
Where are the courses held?
Teaching takes place at the Novotel London ExCeL, located just 100 metres from ExCeL London, one of Europe’s leading conference and exhibition centres on the Royal Docks.
Being based in an active event district gives students daily proximity to major exhibitions, conferences and live productions, reinforcing the connection between study and industry.
How does live event experience impact student outcomes?
Delivering live events develops confidence, operational judgement and professional credibility. Students graduate not only with theoretical knowledge, but with tangible delivery experience.
The result is reflected in our outcomes. Ninety three per cent of our graduates are working in the event industry.
Live practice does not guarantee success on its own, but it significantly strengthens readiness for employment. It allows students to speak about real responsibility in interviews and to demonstrate that they understand what event delivery truly involves.
