Welcome to A day in the life of Johnny BRAVO!, Jack Gaggero's blog about his experience being a fall intern for BRAVO! We love our intern blogs and hope you enjoy following Jack.
Hi there! My name is Jack Gaggero and I am the newest addition to the BRAVO! team. I’m from Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory at the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula. I recently graduated from Plymouth University, U.K., where I studied Maritime Business & Logistics. I am presently enrolled in The Washington Center’s (TWC) internship and academic program where I am interning at BRAVO! - D.C.’s very own strategic marketing event coordination company.
I know what you’re thinking already: “Hang on a minute, why Johnny BRAVO!?” Well, allow me to elaborate. I am formally known as John… and I like to think of myself as a bit of a ‘jack-the-lad’ (woof) so, when coming up with a blog title/name it seemed only right to use Johnny BRAVO!, for he is a ‘Top Lad’ who us lads can look up to.
I arrived in Washington D.C. in early September full of apprehension and anticipation of what lay ahead. My worries were soon put behind me when the excitement of being in the pulsating Capital of the United States kicked in. My first day at the office wasn’t your typical working day. Nancy, ‘la jefa’; Kristen, my brilliant supervisor and 2nd in command; and Michelle, the number cruncher took me out to lunch to welcome me into the BRAVO! team and to celebrate Kristen’s birthday, which was lovely!
Since then, my time at BRAVO! has been pretty hectic (to say the least!). We have been non-stop in the build-up to two big events — The Washington Center’s Gala at the National Building Museum and the D.C. Chamber’s Choice Awards and Gala at The Marriott Marquis.
I soon settled into my role as ‘event coordinator,’ assisting in many aspects of Project Management – from vendor solicitation to sponsor engagement and the ins and outs of onsite staffing of these multifaceted events. A highlight of my time working on the DC Chamber Gala was helping to maintain the event microsite updating sponsors’ logos, event info, time, date, attire and location, all of which count towards the successful planning and execution of an event, where attention to detail is key!
The first live experience event was a Gala dinner showcasing TWC’s positive impact on young professionals—not only domestically but also worldwide. The theme of the night was the Power of Partnerships, which envelopes how powerful and critical its partnerships are; how the building of relationships lasts long after a student has graduated; and how – together with universities, sponsors, internships placements and governments – TWC has made a difference to the lives of interns and all parties involved. This stood out to me as it made me realize that partnerships such as these make opportunities for people. As a matter of fact, it is through the partnership between the Government of Gibraltar, The Washington Center and BRAVO! that my time here in D.C. is realized. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Gibraltar for their generosity in sponsoring this fantastic experience without whom none of this would be possible.
Although the build up to the events can get a little crazy and tensions run high, BRAVO! remains a positive environment where people are treated with respect and compassion. From the minute I set foot in the BRAVO! office, the team has been so welcoming and kind to me. They made me feel right at home from the off – I couldn’t have asked better colleagues if I tried – you guys are AWESOME!! The BRAVO! ladies are great fun to be around and you can always go to Nancy, Kristen or Michelle for any work or even life advice. They all have a wealth of experience and knowledge about the live experience industry that I have learned and benefited from, which I aim to translate to my very own professional career path.
Well, that’s all for now ‘laddies’ and lassies. Tune in next week for the next episode of my blog series, where I’ll be sharing more inside stuff on what a day in the life of Johnny BRAVO! is like outside the BRAVO! office walls.
Stay cool folks!