Petra Bones

Name: Petra Bones

Employer: Madame Tussauds

Area of work: Visitor attractions

University: London Metropolitan University

Subject: events management and international business

As a member of our school’s social committee I organised events such as the leavers’ ball. That gave me a taste of what a job in events management could be like. After a year travelling, another working in marketing and my university course, I managed to secure the job I wanted. I started as an events administrator and within six months I was promoted to events co-ordinator, a role that gives me much more responsibility and the chance to manage my own events and projects.

My job

I deal with whole events, from the initial client enquiry to running the event on the night. Our clients can be agents, companies or private individuals, and the events can range from product launches to dinner dances. My first task is to put the client’s enquiry onto our database and generate a quote. Then I book a site visit to show the client round our venue. Once the event is confirmed, I contract it, book the entertainment, liaise with the caterer and brief the staff before managing the event.

Best and worst

Seeing an event in progress and receiving client compliments gives me a huge sense of job satisfaction. The only down sides are working anti-social hours (especially at Christmas when everyone is partying!) and sore feet from all the rushing around.