Aigerim Shaimova is a graduate student pursuing an MS in Travel and Tourism Management at the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality. In this post, she tells us more about her internship this spring semester.
Where are you interning and what is your job title?
I am currently interning at Davler Media Group. It is NYC’s largest independent tourism media company, and for 40 years they’ve published City Guide magazine (distributed in almost all of Manhattan’s hotels). City Guide’s multi-media platform reaches tourists both during their planning cycle and upon their arrival, hosts events for consumers and trade professionals, and provides industry research. My job title is “Tourism Events Management Intern”.
What projects have you been working on so far?
I have been working on coordinating the logistics for the upcoming and first of its kind women’s recognition program, the NYC Women in Tourism Awards, that will be held in May 2022. Also, I’ve been asked to help manage City Guide’s Influencer/Concierge events and plan City Guide Forums for 2022.
Have there been any challenges in your internship so far? If so, how have you learned to overcome them?
Since the organization of a tourism event requires close work with stakeholders and sponsors, it is essential to know how to communicate and properly negotiate with them. Finding sponsorships and collaborating with vendors in the tourism industry has proven to be the most challenging aspect for me so far. However, the knowledgeable staff at Davler Media Group are always willing to help, provide feedback, and share their experiences!
What do you hope to take away from your internship?
I do believe that this internship is an excellent opportunity to learn about all aspects of event management in tourism, including event production and design, marketing strategies, coordination, and cooperation with DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations). Hopefully, I will gain real-life experience implementing programs and networking with executives and others throughout the NYC tourism industry.
What are your future plans?
As I am finishing this semester, my main goal is to gain as much practical experience as possible in planning and organizing tourism events. Since I want to work at a DMO, I am sure that the knowledge gained will be helpful in my career path and help me be more prepared for any challenges in the future!