Events & Membership Internship (Start Date: Immediate Start)

Note to applicants:

Interns in the Events & Membership department of our organization will work out of the GACC Midwest office in downtown Chicago. As such, applicants must either currently reside in the Greater Chicago Area or be available for relocation before the start date of the internship.

Compensation: $3000/month

Duration: 9-12 months, Full-time

Who we are

The mission of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest (GACC Midwest) is to promote and assist bilateral trade and investment between Germany and the United States. All internships offer the opportunity to gain work experience in a truly bilingual and bicultural environment, with support from colleagues that can help speed the learning curve of understanding intercultural differences and nuances. Read more about our organization at www.gaccmidwest.org.

The Membership & Events department is responsible for member acquisition, retention, and engagement, as well as the planning and execution of networking & industry-focused events, conferences, and online programs. Through member outreach and high-quality programming, we ensure our members receive maximum value from their involvement while advancing the Chamber's community impact.

What does this internship entail?

Assist with full-cycle event management activities for a wide range of events, including:

• Carrying out logistical arrangements for events such as creating run-of-show plans, developing event workflows/timelines, researching venue and vendor options, and creating conceptual event materials
• Strategically promoting events through various communication channels to target attendees and acquiring event sponsors
• Regularly publishing and updating events on GACC Midwest website Events Calendar
• Performing comprehensive post-event follow-up and review activities to collect valuable feedback, identifying strengths and areas for future growth
• Assist and maintain accurate communication records for all GACC Midwest members and external vendors in database
• Designing invitations, event brochures and event programs

Assist with Membership initiatives, including the following:

• Support member acquisition, onboarding, and retention initiatives
• Take part in membership meetings and help build relationships with GACC Midwest members
• Assist with maintaining and updating membership records in the CRM/database
• Conduct outreach to current and prospective members
• Support the development of member communications, newsletters, and promotional materials.
• Respond to member inquiries and provide exceptional customer service.
• Monitor member engagement and help develop strategies to strengthen relationships
• Participate in networking events and represent the organization professionally

Who are we looking for?

• experienced in event planning and event coordinating (strongly preferred, but not required) or have a strong interest in gaining experience and skills in this field
• prior experience in B2B client relations, account management, membership services, or a similar relationship-focused role preferred.
• skilled in organizational and planning activities
• proactive, self-initiated/driven and have a strong attention to detail and a high level of accountability
• strong communication and interpersonal skills, including writing, proof reading and speaking
• experienced in social media communications; publishing and usability a plus
• available to attend Chamber and partner events, including occasionally outside of normal business hours
• advanced user in Microsoft Office programs (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Constant Contact
• a team player

Why join GACC Midwest?

Our organization, GACC Midwest, strives to provide our interns with an environment that allows them to succeed in every aspect of their role. Our interns have the opportunity to gain the ability to put new things into practice and network and meet key members in our extensive membership base while learning more about German-American business efforts happening day in and day out.

With a beautiful state-of-the-art office space in the heart of the city overlooking Millennium Park, interns are able to easily navigate throughout Downtown Chicago and experience the rich culture the city has to offer – such as complimentary German lessons offered by the Goethe Institute specifically for our employees. Within our office building, all GACC Midwest team members have access to the fitness center with free classes being offered regularly as well as general community events as planned by the building staff.

Testimonial:

“I pursued an internship with GACC Midwest because I wanted to gain hands-on experience in event planning and learn how professional events are managed in a cross-cultural business environment. The application and interview process was efficient, transparent, and highly professional. Through my internship, I gained a deeper appreciation for German culture and business practices. These experiences gave me a greater understanding of how cultural values influence event planning and professional interactions. This internship taught me how to work effectively in a professional and collaborative environment while developing my organizational, communication, and leadership skills. I became more confident in managing projects from start to finish, coordinating with team members, and engaging with members at events. Overall, this experience deepened my passion for event management and provided me with valuable insight into the events industry. I would highly recommend GACC Midwest to any student or young professional seeking a dynamic and hands-on internship experience. The team truly invests in their interns, providing real-world opportunities to learn and grow.”

Ashtynn F., Former Events & Membership Intern