Multiplying Success through Education

By teaching event design principles to students, Sarinya aims to multiply her impact and success, as each student who succeeds represents her own achievement.

"That's why I'm doing this job, because,you know, if I work, I maybe have success, like ten times in the life, or 20, maybe 30, I don't know. But if I teach students in the Event Design Certificate Young Professionals Program (EDC-YP), almost 200. If they got success, I have 200 success."
- Sarinya Sungktatavat

In the DESIGN to CHANGE PODcast session at IMEX Frankfurt 2024, Sarinya Sungktatavat from Mahidol University College Thailand shared insights on the role of design in achieving event goals. She highlighted the importance of the #EventCanvas methodology in guiding event design, particularly in the context of teaching students without a design background. Sarinya discussed the value of design in creating a purposeful direction for events and the challenge of working with teams unfamiliar with design principles. She also touched upon the spontaneous decision to attend the conference after receiving budget approval, reflecting on the serendipity of meeting colleagues in person after numerous online interactions. Sarinya's work in integrating the Event Canvas into her teaching has led to the successful participation of her students in competitions, such as the IMEX Future Leader Forum. The session underscored the evolving emphasis on event legacy and sustainability in Thailand's event industry, with a growing awareness among the new generation of event professionals. Sarinya's commitment to spreading design thinking through education is shaping the future of event design, equipping students with the tools to organize their thoughts and create impactful events with lasting legacies.

This PODcast recording features special guests onsite at #IMEX24 - Live from IMEX Frankfurt - An open conversation with the creators of #EventCanvas and their new book DESIGN to Change, elevating your ability to look and act beyond the now. This onsite series features spontaneous conversations with #IMEX24 visitors, speakers, Event Design Enthusiasts and Certified Event Designers (CED'ers) as well as team members of the Event Design Collective with commentary by the authors Ruud Janssen and Roel Frissen. Curious questions to learn from real life current event design experiences to help Event Canvas practitioners elevate DESIGN conversations. Share your experiences and the challenges you face in designing for change. We grow in the direction of the questions we ask, so let's start the conversation at IMEX.
Find out more at DESIGNtoCHANGE.online

Sarinya Sungktatavat CED, CEM, CITPO Mahidol University College Thailand w/ Ruud Janssen at #IMEX24

In this #DESIGntoCHANGE #PODcast Year +1 Episode, Sharifa Wilkinson M.Ed, CED - Mega Events & Event Management Teaching Professor and Program Lead - FIU - Florida International University shares with podcast host Ruud Janssen her journey on the #HORIZONSofCHANGE a year onward. 

Snapsight Key Takeaways & Idea Cloud & Summary = https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/79791165-0d19-41f7-87ff-6af2c3a9f3cc/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways 

Snapsight AI Summary https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/79791165-0d19-41f7-87ff-6af2c3a9f3cc/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways  

Summary
The #DESIGNtoCHANGE podcast, hosted by Ruud Janssen, featured Sharifa Wilkinson, a teaching professor at Florida International University (FIU) specializing in mega events and event management. Sharifa shared her journey from being a high-performance soccer player to becoming an academic leader, highlighting her transition into teaching and research. Her doctoral studies focus on the relationship between micro and small businesses and mega events, particularly the FIFA World Cup 2026, exploring their expectations and readiness for large-scale opportunities.   The session celebrated Sharifa’s mentorship and her efforts to connect students with industry opportunities. She recounted her students’ participation in the Super Bowl teammates program, where they gained hands-on experience in event operations, and the South Beach Wine and Food Festival pitch competition, where empathy maps were used to design experiences for younger audiences. Sharifa’s commitment to fostering the next generation of event professionals extends to hosting recruitment events for FIU hospitality students, preparing them for competitive roles in mega events like FIFA.   Sharifa’s academic contributions include integrating the Event Canvas methodology into her teaching, a globally recognized tool for event design. She reflected on cohort 53 of the Event Design Certificate program, where participants designed the Olympic opening ceremony and explored stakeholder mapping exercises. The unveiling of the Bill Hansen Catering and Events Lab at FIU further exemplifies her dedication to practical learning. This innovative space features mood board walls, floor planning magnets, and lighting setups, enabling students to apply their learning in real-world scenarios.   Sharifa’s personal pursuits, such as her newfound passion for tennis, demonstrate her commitment to continuous growth and exploration. Her upcoming participation in IMEX America includes speaking sessions and visits to booth F416, where the Event Design Collective will showcase case studies and methodologies. Sharifa emphasized the importance of proactive networking, encouraging students to connect with industry leaders and seize opportunities to build meaningful relationships.   Through her academic, professional, and personal endeavors, Sharifa exemplifies the transformative power of intentionality and mentorship in shaping the future of the event industry. The conversation underscored her vision for creating a pipeline that enables students to transition seamlessly into the workforce, contributing to the social legacy of mega events. Sharifa’s inspiring journey and dedication to education and mentorship continue to leave a lasting impact on her students and the broader event design community.

New tracks tagged #EDCYP