GRADUATES WIN DREAM JOBS IN EVENTS INDUSTRY #theeventice

Two of the region’s most promising young event organisers have won graduate jobs in the industry after winning a  TV-style competition.

 

Markus Jordan - Innovations Unlimited, Zain Zaidi (winner),
Rebecca Wilson - ESP International, Sonia Parekh (winner),
 Jackie Wilkes - Informa Exhibitions.jpg

Called The Eventice and using the format of hit television show The Apprentice, Zain Zaidi and Sonia Parekh, both from Dubai, beat off competition from eight other graduates to win jobs at Innovations Unlimited ME based in Doha and Dubai, and Dubai-based Informa Exhibitions respectively.

Each candidate had to complete a series of challenges devised by team building event experts  biz-events with competitors being cut at each stage  until the best potential employees remained. The winners were announced at the Middle East EVENT Awards at the JW Marriott Marquis hotel in Dubai.

Middlesex University, Dubai, graduate Zaidi said: "I have always wanted a job in the events industry so this is a dream come true. It was really hard work but so much fun and I couldn't be happier. I knew I had done a good job but the others were very good. When they called my name I was stunned."

Parekh graduated from Christ University, Bangalore and said: "This has been the best experience of my life and to win a job at one of the best companies in the region, it really hasn't sunk in. The tasks tested us to the limits and are similar to the challenges that we will have to face in our new jobs. I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity."

Each challenge was tailored specifically to test the candidates skills in dealing with unexpected situations in the industry including their ability to work in a team, think clearly under pressure, communicate effectively, organize things with limited time and resources and use their initiative to problem solve in a competitive, time-driven environment.

Rebecca Wilson of ESP International, the company behind The Eventice, said: "All the candidates were strong, but Zain and Sonia had something extra and they are worthy winners and I'd like to congratulate them both.   

"We have run the competition for a few years in the UK, but this was our first time here in Dubai and I have been delighted with how successful it has been.