From Sandwiches to Stages: How My First Event Sparked a Passion for Organizing

Event planning is both an art and a science, requiring creativity, organization, and problem-solving skills. My journey into event organizing began unexpectedly - with a sandwich-eating contest during my student years. What started as a simple idea quickly turned into an invaluable learning experience that shaped my approach to events.

Whether you’re planning a tech conference or a community gathering, the fundamentals remain the same. And surprisingly, organizing an event is a lot like making a great sandwich - every ingredient matters.

Start with a Clear Vision - Just Like Choosing Your Sandwich Ingredients

Before organizing any event, it’s essential to define its purpose and desired outcomes. My first event aimed to bring students together for a fun, memorable experience. Just like when making a sandwich, you need to decide what you want to create - whether it’s something classic or completely new. Though it wasn’t a formal conference or workshop, I knew the core goals: engagement, participation, and a sense of community.

✔ Key Takeaway: Identify what you want your event to achieve - whether it’s networking, education, or entertainment. Every great event starts with a well-defined purpose, just like every great sandwich starts with the right ingredients.

Build Strategic Partnerships - The Condiments That Bring It All Together

With a zero budget, I had to get creative. I contacted brands, explaining the event’s concept and how they could benefit from supporting it. To my surprise, I secured product sponsorships and even convinced photographers to cover the event for free. This was my first lesson in the power of collaboration - like adding the perfect sauce that binds all the flavors of a sandwich together.

✔ Key Takeaway: Strategic partnerships can help even if you have limited resources. Sponsors, vendors, and volunteers can add value to your event without requiring a large budget—just like a great sauce elevates a simple sandwich.

Plan Every Detail, but Stay Flexible - Stacking the Layers Right

From securing a venue to structuring the competition, I quickly realized that event planning requires both attention to detail and adaptability. One contestant tried to cheat by hiding sandwich pieces under the table, another choked with laughter mid-bite, and the audience turned the whole thing into a high-energy spectacle. These unexpected moments made the event even more exciting, but they also taught me the importance of being prepared for anything - just like making sure your sandwich doesn’t fall apart when you take a bite.

✔ Key Takeaway: Anticipate challenges and have contingency plans. Flexibility is key to managing the unexpected, whether it’s a sandwich collapsing or an event going off-track.

Engage Your Audience - The Final Garnish That Makes It Memorable

The success of an event isn’t just about logistics - it’s about how people experience it. The crowd’s enthusiasm, the friendly competition, and the shared laughter made my first event truly memorable. Later, I applied the same principles to IT conferences, ensuring interactive sessions, networking opportunities, and meaningful engagement - because, just like a sandwich, the final garnish can make all the difference in taste.

✔ Key Takeaway: Audience engagement is crucial. Whether it’s through interactive activities, Q&A sessions, or networking spaces, make sure attendees feel involved - just like adding the perfect finishing touch to a sandwich.

Scale and Improve - From a Simple Recipe to a Gourmet Dish

What began as a one-time event turned into a tradition. I organized the contest two more times, eventually partnering with one of the most popular student town places for food. Each iteration improved upon the last - better logistics, stronger sponsorships, and larger audiences. Like a chef refining their recipe, I learned what worked and what needed improvement.

✔ Key Takeaway: Always look for ways to enhance your event. Collect feedback, evaluate performance, and refine the experience for future editions - just as a great sandwich recipe evolves with time.

Conclusion: From Sandwiches to Stages

That first quirky event sparked my passion for organizing. Turning a simple contest into a well-executed experience taught me valuable lessons that I later applied to professional event planning. Today, I organize meetups, hackathons, and large-scale IT conferences, but the fundamentals remain the same - clear goals, strong partnerships, attention to detail, audience engagement, and continuous improvement.

Just like making a great sandwich, event planning is all about balance. The right ingredients, thoughtful layering, and an eye for detail can turn something ordinary into something unforgettable.

Moving into IT events was a whole new game - bigger challenges, more pressure, and unexpected hurdles. This is just the beginning - I'll share more insights, lessons, and behind-the-scenes stories from my journey into event organizing. Stay tuned for more!