An EDINBURGH charity-shop worker is hoping to help boost business after winning a free place on a top training course.
Carrie Lennon (27), who manages the Cancer Research UK store in Stockbridge, will learn from some of the world’s top Events industry professionals on a four-day intensive programme run by Edinburgh Napier University.
Carrie, who has a degree in Music and History of Art, landed the place after impressing judges with her energy and enthusiasm, which has seen her raising thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK by organising a number of special shopping events.
Led by the University’s Edinburgh Institute: Festivals, Events and Tourism (EIFET) The Executive Certificate in Event Management (ECEM) is designed to give students an overall knowledge of the key skills needed to create and deliver corporate, private and public events.
Carrie said: “I applied for the competition after seeing it on twitter and was so thrilled to be selected and given this unique opportunity.
“In my spare time I organise at least four events each year to help raise awareness for the charity, build our shop profile and raise vital funds. It also gives us a good excuse to have fun with our supporters, volunteers and get more people involved in our work!”
In the last six months Carrie has organised “Rock the Catwalk” which saw 200 guests invited to a fashion show, band night and pop-up shop, raising more than £2500. She also held an exclusive designer evening for the store’s social network followers, raking in close to £1150 in just three-hours.
The course training place is worth £1250 and competition applicants were asked to write 300 words on why they should be chosen and how they would apply the learning back at their workplace.
Carrie said: “Taking the ECEM is a huge opportunity to build on my past success and develop new skills and ideas. I am looking forward to sharing my learning experience with my colleagues across Scotland in the hope it has a wider impact on Cancer Research UK.”
Dr. Jane Ali-Knight, director of EIFET at Edinburgh Napier University said: “We were extremely pleased by the quality of the applications received and the enthusiasm displayed for the events industry by all the entrants. However, it was Carrie who really stood out. She has organised some very interesting events for the charity and displayed a real eagerness to build on her past success.”
Limited places are still available on this year's ECEM which runs from 28th - 31st Jan 2013, at Edinburgh Napier’s Craighouse Campus.
For more information, click here for the course brochure or book a place on the course.
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