We are inviting motivated individuals who want to develop practical understanding of international events, media relations, communications and exhibition management to participate in an Events, Media & Press Volunteer Experience Programme.

The programme is designed around an international exhibition environment involving governments, utilities, project owners, engineering companies, technology providers, manufacturers, media organisations and other stakeholders.

The programme is intended for individuals who want exposure to how a major international event is developed, communicated and delivered.

This is a voluntary experience and learning opportunity and is not employment, paid work or an apprenticeship.

There are no guaranteed or compulsory hours and no obligation to accept particular activities. Participants are free to stop volunteering at any time.

Areas of Experience

Depending on their interests and the activities taking place at the time, volunteers may have opportunities to observe, learn about or voluntarily assist with areas including:

Media & Press

How an international event press office operates
Media accreditation processes
Journalist and publication research
Media-list development
Press-release preparation and formatting
Media monitoring
Press-clipping and coverage analysis
Interview preparation
Press briefing preparation
Media-room organisation
Journalist enquiries
Photography and video coordination
Understanding embargoes and media announcements
Understanding the difference between editorial coverage, advertising and media partnerships

Digital Communications

Social-media planning
Event content calendars
LinkedIn event communications
Short-form video concepts
Interview clips and event highlights
Website news and announcement structures
Digital campaign analysis
Audience engagement
Basic event analytics and reporting

International Events

Participants may gain exposure to:

Exhibition planning
Exhibitor communications
Visitor journeys
Registration processes
Venue operations
Floor-plan considerations
Speaker and participant coordination
Conference operations
International delegation arrangements
Event-day logistics
Media and VIP movements
Exhibitor and visitor experience

Government & International Stakeholder Communications

Where appropriate and subject to confidentiality requirements, participants may observe how professional communications are managed with:

Government organisations
Utilities
Project owners
Embassies and trade organisations
Industry associations
International companies
Academic organisations
Media organisations

Participants are not authorised to represent the organising body independently unless specifically authorised.

Projects & Procurement

Participants may also gain an introduction to how project and procurement information can be structured for communication between project owners and international industry.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include observing:

Project information preparation
Procurement communications
Project-owner presentations
Industry capability matching
Project briefing formats
International supplier engagement

Who Could Benefit?

The programme may be particularly relevant to:

University students
Recent graduates
Career changers
Aspiring journalists
Media and communications students
PR students
Marketing students
Event-management students
International-relations students
Energy-sector students
Photography and video students
Individuals seeking first-hand exposure to international business events

Formal previous experience is not essential.

We are particularly interested in people who are curious, professional, reliable when they choose to participate and interested in learning how international events operate.

Learning Objectives

The programme is designed to help participants develop their understanding of:

International Event Management

How an international exhibition develops from planning through to delivery.

Media Relations

How organisations communicate effectively and professionally with journalists and publications.

Press Operations

How press accreditation, announcements, interviews, media resources and event press facilities are organised.

Professional Communication

How communications differ when dealing with companies, government organisations, journalists, universities and international institutions.

Content Development

How event announcements, interviews, social content, photographs, videos and other communications are developed.

Energy Industry Exposure

How governments, utilities, project owners, EPC companies, manufacturers, technology businesses and suppliers interact within the energy sector.

International Networking

How major international events create connections between organisations from different countries and sectors.

How Participation Works

Participation is genuinely voluntary.

There are no guaranteed or compulsory working hours.

Volunteers may indicate when they are available and which areas they would most like to observe or experience.

The organising body may suggest opportunities and activities, but volunteers are free to accept or decline them.

There is:

no obligation to accept an activity;
no obligation to attend on a particular day;
no minimum number of hours;
no penalty for declining an activity or becoming unavailable; and
no guarantee or promise of employment following participation.

A volunteer may stop participating at any time.

Likewise, the organising body may decide that a particular activity or area is unsuitable for volunteer participation.

Expenses

This is an unpaid voluntary experience programme.

Where agreed in advance, reasonable and genuine out-of-pocket expenses necessarily incurred in connection with volunteering may be reimbursed, subject to receipts and the relevant expenses arrangements.

Expenses are reimbursement of actual costs and are not payment for volunteering.

During the Event

Subject to operational requirements and individual availability, selected volunteers may have opportunities to observe or voluntarily assist around the delivery of an international exhibition.

Possible areas of exposure may include:

Press and media area
Media accreditation
Interview coordination
Event communications
Content capture
Exhibitor support
Visitor information
Conference support
Project and procurement activities
International delegation support
Event operations

Participation in individual activities cannot be guaranteed and will depend on event requirements, capacity, safety and suitability.

Professional Development

The objective is to provide participants with meaningful exposure to a real international event environment rather than classroom-only learning.

Participants will be encouraged to keep a personal record of what they have observed and learned throughout their involvement.

Where appropriate, factual confirmation may be provided regarding the individual's participation and the areas in which they gained experience.

Participation does not guarantee employment, future paid work or any other appointment.

Important Status Information

This programme is a voluntary experience opportunity.

It is not an employment contract, worker contract or apprenticeship programme.

Nothing in the programme requires an individual to provide work or services.

Volunteers participate freely and may choose whether and when to make themselves available.

Nothing in this description is intended to remove or restrict any statutory right that applies according to the individual's actual legal status.

Confidentiality, Data Protection and Professional Conduct

Because the programme may involve governments, businesses, journalists, project owners and other organisations, participants may occasionally encounter information that is not public.

All participants are expected to follow reasonable requirements concerning:

confidentiality;
personal data;
information security;
health and safety;
media access;
photography and filming;
venue security; and
professional conduct.

Access to confidential information will be restricted according to the activity involved.

Location

Activities may include a mixture of:

remote learning and observation;
London-based activities;
meetings where appropriate; and
participation during an international exhibition.

Age

Applicants must normally be 18 years or older.

Applicants must also be legally permitted to undertake the proposed voluntary activity in the United Kingdom where immigration restrictions apply.

Applications

Applicants should provide:

Full name
Current location
University/course, if applicable
Current occupation or field of study
Area of interest
Why they would like to gain experience through the programme
General availability
CV or LinkedIn profile, if available

Areas of Interest

Applicants may select one or more:

□ Events & Exhibition Management
□ Media & Press
□ Journalism
□ Public Relations
□ Social Media
□ Photography
□ Video & Content Production
□ Government & International Relations
□ Conference Operations
□ Energy Industry
□ Project & Procurement Communications

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London