Planning for Prince William – Atlanta’s work placement has a right royal ending

A University of Northampton student has topped off a year’s industry placement by organising an event fit for a future king.

Events Management undergraduate Atlanta Lloyd took a year out of her studies to learn the industry ropes with Northamptonshire firm CJS Events.

One of her last jobs before returning to University for her final year of studies was to organise a policing conference which included Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, on its roster of guests.

Prince William at Atlanta’s event

“It was the perfect event to finish my placement with,” said Atlanta. “Having a royal visitor was an extra challenge for me. It meant I had to plan every minute of the event and spent time working with the Palace’s close protection team to make sure everything would go smoothly.”

Students on the Events Management course are encouraged to split their studies with a year’s work placement, and Atlanta feels the opportunity is perfect for those who want to get a head-start in their chosen career.

She said: “I’ve learnt so much on my placement. I’ve been responsible for planning and running events for between 120 and 320 delegates, across one, two and three days.

“Sometimes I have been planning three events at the same time, so my organisation skills have been more or less perfected. I also remember when I started the placement my confidence wasn’t at its highest. But now I feel I can walk into a room, speak to anybody and take control of a situation.”

Atlanta’s contribution to CJS helped the company reach the finals of the 2017 UK Conference Awards, in the Best Conference by a Small Company category.

Atlanta, who comes from Northampton, is now looking forward to her final year of studies, before taking her first steps on the career ladder.

“The course has been fantastic,” she said. “The lecturers have given me so much support, and you learn so much from them because they all have an industry background – and they can also introduce you to so many industry contacts.

“If anybody wants to consider a career in events, then I wouldn’t hesitate in telling them to come to Northampton.”