IMC Hawks Blog

Category: event planning

  • The White House Appoints A Man To Do A “Woman’s Job”

    The White House is breaking social norms by appointing the first male social secretary.  Not only is he male, but he is also gay.  Jeremy Bernard will be in charge of planning seamless social functions for the White House.  Bernard was previously the United States ambassador to France and was chosen because of his view that the White House is the “People’s House”.

    His sense of humor and infectious laugh reinforces the Obama’s vision of how they want the White House to be portrayed.  Not only this, but the liberal ideals of Obama match up with Bernard’s homosexuality and involvement in homosexual rights efforts.  Obama has also been called a “groundbreaking president”, and this reinforces that title.

    Bernard’s duties include reporting to Michelle Obama, although most decisions are trusted to the social secretary.  Event planning is often thought of as a woman’s job and requires diplomatic skills and a sense of production.  Even so, people close to the White House think that a man in the position is perfectly acceptable and that Bernard can do everything that previous women have done.  This position is said to be one of the most important in the White House because social secretary’s report to the president and first lady and is one of the best jobs someone could have in Washington, D.C.

    It may seem that President Obama is trying to rebrand the White House image to make it very gay-friendly to increase his votes for the reelection.  It can also be seen as stereotypical that a gay man would be appointed as an event planner, especially since men in the position is already uncommon.  Regardless, the Obama’s have stated that Bernard is most qualified for the job and that he will enhance the young, modern image of the White House that our first family represents.

    bernard454.jpg

    Bernard, left, and his recent ex-partner.

    -Brie Golden

  • Event Planning- Glamorous or Not?!


    As a new intern at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation, I didn’t realize how many careers could all be considered “corporate communication” titles. It is a small office, consisting of six women and myself. Their titles are: Annual Gifts Officer, Major Gifts Officer, Administrative Associate, Special Events Officer and Finance and Stewardship Officer. One of the main issues associated with all of these titles is how wordy they are and the fact that all of these women undertake several tasks outside of their job titles.

    Our professor often touches on the realities of event planning; I can relate well to this since I work under the Special Events Officer at NHRMC Foundation. The realities of this corporate communication position are long hours, planning with some very opinionated committee members, having to constantly be organized, the ability to multitask and working with a limited budget (especially in a non-profit office). Third party events are also a majority of this position’s responsibility. So far for our Pink Ribbon Event, there have been third-party events consisting of: Monty Miller’s Boot Camp, Rock for the Cure, Pink Martinis at Ruth’s Chris, TrySport’s 5k and Angie’s Amazing race…and these are just for one event! The special events officer is responsible for attending all of these.

    This is just insight on ONE corporate communication career, the list of other titles is almost infinite. While event planning may not be as glamorous as films such as “The Wedding Planner” portray it to be, it is a very rewarding and fabulous career for the right person!

    -Emily Hunter

  • Why You Should Hire a UNCW Com Studies Major!

    Last week our Corporate Communications class discussed why other majors consider Communication Studies as the “easy major” or the “business school dropouts”. This is untrue and is the very reason that we have gateway classes such as com 105(intro to communications) and com 200 (research methods).  You are a pre-com major until you earn a “B” or better in both of these courses and then you become a full Communication Studies major. The gateway classes sort out the people who are serious about getting a degree in Communication Studies from the people who need to go a different route. Some people may think that a Corporate Communications class belongs in the business school; however, we feel that every corporation needs effective communication to succeed so, why not hire students who have a Communication Studies degree.

    Here are our entrance requirements: http://www.uncw.edu/com/academics-entrance.html

    In order to prepare for our future careers we have the option to partake in an internship. While an internship is not required to graduate with a Communication Studies degree from UNCW, many students choose to be involved in one. Most students who are interning from this department are working in fairly large corporations.  Since communication in different careers varies there are many positions a Communication Studies Major may hold. Students at UNCW  intern and may eventually be hired in positions like…event planner, public relations assistant, marketing assistant, account executive, news anchor, journalist, human resources recruiter etc. and that is just to name a few! The options available with a Communication Studies degree in the Corporate world are unlimited and with all the wonderful things we learn and the networking we create thanks to UNCW, we are already well on our way!

    -Emily Hunter

  • CFCI 10th Anniversary Planning Project

    Our class group has assumed the responsibility of planning the event celebrating Cape Fear Center for Inquiry’s ten years of education. Upon meeting with representatives from the local charter school, we established a budget, a venue, food, supplies, and guest speakers. Our client’s motive is to provide a friendly atmosphere for the current students, alumni, and their families, thus a local arboretum on a Sunday afternoon in April seemed appropriate. Our next step was to make a decision about food. Taking budget into consideration and acknowledging that food is usually the single most expensive item at any event, we have begun asking for donations from local restaurants and establishments. Supplies will include tables, beverages, T-shirts, raffle prizes, seating, a tent and podium for guest speakers and special recognitions.

    Contacting the public and media is crucial in the planning of any event, so we have a media kit in the works. Our client would like for any and all alumni to attend and since most of them may not be in direct communication with the school, we are utilizing all of our resources through the local media as an outreach tool. Awards for the three founders will be presented that afternoon as well.

    We have planned to meet with our client exactly one month before the event to make sure all arrangements have been made, invitations and media kits sent, and that thank you letters for donations have been written.

    Mandy Baker