The network advantage
by Michčle Nardelli
It
might have been the whole buzz of the evening, but it took a bit of
pluck for Annunziata Thompson to walk up to one of South Australia’s
best known events and tourism leaders and ask for some advice.
It happened last year at Network Now.
Network Now is a like a progressive dinner for students and graduates with industry and professional leaders as hosts on each table. Throughout the evening students get to change tables with each course and learn more about career planning.
Encouraged by the positive atmosphere of the evening, Thompson introduced herself to Bill Spurr, CEO of the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) and former Director of Australian Major Events (AME) and asked for some career advice. And in 2006 the recent graduate in Applied Science (Recreation Management), won a spot working at one of AME’s premier events, the Jacob’s Creek Tour Down Under. She worked for the love of it and the experience but says without Network Now she may not have had the courage or the opportunity to make the right connections.
“I had a wonderful table host, Sally Smith from the SATC, and she was very encouraging and supportive, even following through after the event by sending us relevant information and leads,” Thompson said.
“I didn’t talk to Bill Spurr for long but he encouraged me to volunteer as a means of getting experience and I did just that. I spent the week of the Tour Down Under shadowing the event manager and learning all about what it takes to make an event as big as the Tour run smoothly.”
Since then, Thompson has taken on full-time work at the Hilton Adelaide as a catering sales executive.
Thompson believes Network Now is a “must do” event for all students who want to fast-track their careers.
“Not only do you network but you meet people who have made their way to the top in the very fields you are interested in – it is fascinating,” she said.
Network Now will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Thursday August 31 2006, 6.30pm-10.30pm. Earlybird prices $66 UniSA students; $77 UniSA graduates; $88 other students and graduates. This offer closes June 30. www.unisa.edu.au/alumni/netnow