How to plan an event: TEDxSHMS

TEDxSHMS, a prestigious annual event held at the beautiful Caux campus of Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS), offers a unique opportunity for students earning their Master of Arts in International Hospitality Business Management to demonstrate their event planning prowess at school. Aligned with the renowned TEDx Talks program, this event showcases the remarkable organizational skills and expertise of students pursuing a degree in hospitality and event management. Students curate an unforgettable experience for the audience while adhering to the highest standards of hospitality and event planning by leveraging their learned skills and creativity, exemplifying the excellence of events management education at SHMS.

So what does it take to plan an event? In part, the success of TEDxSHMS can be attributed to the collaboration between the Master of Arts Program Manager Nektarios Lykopantis and Events Lecturer Stephanie Hawawini with the students. Mr. Lykopantis and Ms. Hawawini work closely with the students to ensure a seamless planning and execution process. Under their guidance, the students tackle the logistical challenges that come with organizing a large-scale event. The planning begins before the date is even decided; a proposal is made, speakers are contacted, and communication with TEDx is vital. And as this process is set in motion, other details must be determined. For best results, organization from top to bottom is key. Students divide roles and responsibilities before diving into their tasks. An event is all about the specifics and how those elements are properly arranged. Students must pay attention to all the details, from the technical team that coordinates with school staff to ensure that the sound, lighting, and audiovisual components are flawlessly integrated to enhance the audience's experience to the decorations team that sets up the red carpet leading to the theater covered in golden rose petals. This holistic approach to event management underscores the students' ability to handle complex logistics with finesse. Professional guidance and expertise provide the students with valuable insights into events management, fostering their growth as future leaders in the hospitality and events industry.

Beyond the planning for the aspects of the event day, students must also prepare the lead-up to the event. One crucial element in planning TEDxSHMS each year is the selection of guest speakers, and making sure that everyone involved is on the same page. Each year, the organizing team diligently identifies influential individuals from various fields who can deliver thought-provoking talks, ensuring a diverse range of topics and perspectives. These speakers, renowned in their respective fields, inspire the audience with their knowledge, experiences, and unique insights. The speakers must be able to come on the day of the event and prepare their talks and presentation slides, and it is the event organizers' responsibility to make sure that everything is lined up and integrated into the schedule.

This year’s TEDxSHMS is fortunate to have such talented speakers to come talk. The event invites six special guest speakers to the stage, from businesspeople to extreme athletes: Jonathan Low, a Global Speaking Fellow, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), and ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC), who talks about the power of service within the concept of "SERVE IT FORWARD," emphasizing the idea of approaching life, both personally and professionally, with purposeful acts of service; Yisi Fan, an SHMS student who is an internet influencer with over 3 million followers, sharing her experiences with her talk “4 Things I Learned from Being an Internet Influencer” which aims to shed light on the potential that individuals often underestimate when it comes to making a positive impact online; Gedeon Tumong, an esteemed academic who delves into the Anatomy of Empathy using real-life examples and thought-provoking metaphors; Eglantine Jamet, an Executive Search Consultant and Founding Partner at Artemia Executive, who tackles the persistent issue of gender imbalance in decision-making roles and calls individuals to actively work towards achieving gender equality in leadership positions; and Anja Blacha, a German adventurer and extreme athlete most famous for her record-setting, 858-mile trek through Antarctica alone to the South Pole, who challenges the audience to redefine their perception of laziness, encouraging everyone to use it as a catalyst to reach ambitious milestones in her talk called, “A Lazy Person’s Guide to Going the Extra Mile”.

While the speakers are of utmost importance as the face of the TEDx events, the success of an event ultimately lies in its ability to captivate and engage the audience. As students pursuing a hospitality and event management degree, the organizers of TEDxSHMS embody the core values of the industry. They prioritize guest satisfaction, attention to detail, and creating an inclusive environment for all attendees. By infusing elements of hospitality into the event, they demonstrate the importance of providing exceptional service and fostering a sense of community. From designing the stage setup and lighting inside the Caux Palace theater to curating interactive activities and ensuring seamless transitions between speakers, every detail is carefully considered. And even though the students at SHMS do a fantastic job of meticulously planning every aspect to create a memorable experience in Caux Palace for the guests, sometimes a bit of good fortune also helps. On the day of the event, it feels like even the weather is contributing to the success of TEDxSHMS, the relatively clear skies allowing for a gorgeous view of the Swiss Alps and Lake Geneva. In such a historic and beautiful setting, the TEDxSHMS is able to immerse the audience in an atmosphere that fosters learning, networking, and inspiration.

Looking ahead at future iterations of this event, TEDxSHMS has established itself as a premier event for SHMS. Students and staff look forward to the event and are committed to further elevating the program in the coming years. With the goal of attracting even more exceptional guest speakers from around the world, the students aspire to enhance the event's reach and impact. Through continuous improvement and innovation, TEDxSHMS aims to inspire and empower individuals to become catalysts for change. The students are able to showcase their expertise in organizing a world-class event. TEDxSHMS not only provides a platform for inspiring speakers to share their ideas but also serves as a testament to the remarkable skills and creativity of SHMS Master of Arts students pursuing a hospitality and event management degree. As the event continues to grow and evolve, TEDxSHMS will undoubtedly remain an exceptional showcase of event planning excellence at SHMS.

Watch all of this year’s TEDxSHMS speaker videos on the TEDx Talks channel on Youtube.