At Primary, we believe the best way to support the events industry is to invest in its future. Supporting new talent is a meaningful investment in the next generation of professionals who will keep our sector thriving, innovative and resilient.
That’s why we were proud to welcome Gracie Phippen, an Events Management Student from Leeds Beckett University, to our team for a year-long internship.
Why Invest in Future Talent
The decision to bring Gracie onboard was driven by a desire to bridge the gap between academic theory and the practical realities of live event delivery. With event management still a relatively niche academic discipline, it’s more important than ever that students gain access to real-world experiences that help them to thrive after graduation.
Partnering with a respected course like Event Management at Leeds Beckett gave us the confidence that we’d be working with someone ready to learn, and we felt a shared duty to offer more than just shadowing. From day one, Gracie was embedded in live projects, client interactions, internal processes, and the daily hustle of agency life.
“I’ve gained so much confidence during this year,” says Gracie. “Everyone at Primary has been so supportive. I’ve learned to trust myself, take initiative, and navigate professional settings with much more self-assurance.”
Real Skills, Real Experience
Over the course of her internship, Gracie worked across a huge range of formats, from immersive exhibitions to internal communications campaigns, international summits to virtual broadcasts. Whether helping to build custom event platforms or coordinating on-site logistics, she consistently brought energy, enthusiasm and commitment.
Some highlights from her year include:
- On-site delivery across numerous live event formats
- Supporting live event delivery in Sweden (her personal favourite)
- Building bespoke registration platforms and post-event surveys
- Joining our Sustainability Team to support our ISO accreditation submission
- Gaining confidence in client communication and relationship management
- Learning how to manage time and priorities across multiple concurrent projects
“One thing I didn’t expect to learn was how to build and edit software platforms for events. It’s now something I really enjoy doing and a skill I’ll definitely take with me.”
“University has taught me a lot, but the agency environment showed me how to apply that on another level. Learning how to adapt, think on my feet, and meet deadlines under pressure is something that cannot be replicated in a lecture theatre.”
A Two-Way Learning Experience
We’ve learned a lot, too!
Gracie has reminded us of the energy and perspective young professionals bring, and how valuable it is to build structured support around them, ensuring Gracie gains the maximum opportunities from this experience. Weekly check-ins, monthly progress reviews, and ongoing mentorship from the wider Ops team ensured Gracie had the guidance she needed, while also giving our team the opportunity to grow as mentors and leaders.
We were deliberate in treating Gracie as a full team member, not just an intern. She was paid, given real responsibility, and trusted with live briefs. And it paid off.
“Don’t be afraid to say yes,” she advises anyone new to the industry. “You’ll learn more, gain amazing experiences, and meet incredible people.”
Looking Ahead
With a final year of university still ahead, we’re confident Gracie now has the tools, insight, and network to take the next step in her career. And while we’re sad to see her go, we know the wider industry will benefit from her experience, just as we have.
For us, we’re already planning how we’ll continue to support emerging talent in the years to come when the timing aligns again. We see this not only as part of our values, but as a strategic way to strengthen the pipeline of event professionals our sector needs.
If you’re an agency considering an internship programme, then we’d say do it! Partner with a great university, commit to providing structure and support, and treat your intern like a true team member. The return, for the individual and business, is absolutely worth it.
Thank you, Gracie, for your hard work and many contributions over the past year. We’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines!
