Experts have praised the work produced by Year 3 students taking a course in event marketing that forms part of the Tourism Event Management Evening Bachelor Degree Programme. The 2 guest reviewers applauded the students for their creative proposals, and offered advice on how to conduct marketing activities.
The guest reviewers were Macau Yeng Kee Bakery Director of Operations and Business Development Ms. Ivy Tsang, and Smoke-free & Healthy Life Association of Macau Vice-chairman Mr. Sam Ip. They gave feedback about a group assignment for event marketing students that required the undergraduates to design a touching marketing scheme.
Based on her years of marketing experience, gained in working for international chains, Ms. Tsang praised the students for their creativity, innovativeness and ability to keep up with the latest trends in marketing. She commended them for their capacity to make use of social media for publicity and promotion.
Ms. Tsang advised students preparing a marketing campaign to focus on the advantages of the product or event being promoted. She highlighted the importance of precise positioning and of making use of market analysis, all to make the product or event stand out from the crowd. She also shared with students some of the insights her work experience has given her.
Mr. Ip brought to the classroom his wealth of experience of social service, including his experience of organising events. He pointed out that the IFTM evening course brought together mature students, who already had experience of the industry, and younger people, who were bursting with vitality and imagination. Each group complements the other, giving them advantages in coming up with marketing activities that are inspiring yet feasible, he said.
Mr. Ip emphasised that marketing strategies should focus on achieving their stated goals while addressing the needs of the various target groups.
The students said they valued the guidance and opinions offered by the guest reviewers. They stressed the benefits of the opportunities IFTM gives its students to engage with experts in the industry. The students noted that activities involving people working in tourism and hospitality gave them a better understanding of the inner workings of the industry, and allowed them to keep abreast of the latest trends.
IFTM emphasises experience-based learning and the use of a variety of learning platforms. Arrangements are regularly made for students to attend sharing sessions or special talks with industry experts. Through these activities, they can improve their knowledge of the operations, development trends and prospects of each branch of the tourism and hospitality industry.
