OVERVIEW:

The Tampa Bay Times Forum is Tampa’s premier entertainment venue. Home to the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning and the Arena Football League’s Tampa Bay Storm. The arena hosts the nation’s top musical acts, family shows, and collegiate athletic events. ESPN ranked the Tampa Bay Lightning as the # 2 Best Franchise in Sports for the 2010-11 Season followed by a #3 ranking from Pollstar for both revenue and ticket sales in the U.S.

Students participating in our internship program will receive hands-on experience in the Sports & Entertainment industry. Requirements for our internship program are listed below.

Requirements:

• Interns must be currently enrolled as a student in a college or university, preferably as a Junior or Senior
• Interns must receive academic credit for their internship
• Interns must provide documentation of receiving academic credit for the internship
• Interns must be authorized to work in the USA
• Interns must submit a Cover Letter (including why they want to work in the Sports & Entertainment industry, what they would bring to the organization, and the areas of our operation which interest them the most) and a detailed Resume

Additional Facts:
 

• Internships are available on a Full Time, Part Time, or Game Night/Season basis
• Game night/Season internships are required to work at least 30 of the 42 games
• There are a limited number of internship positions
• Department assignments will be made by management and will occur after the interview process

DEPARTMENTS & DESCRIPTIONS:

Internships are classified by department. Each department is listed and described below.

Accounting – Intern will assist in filing, copying, and binding paperwork; Retrieving and compiling documents needed for audits and various projects; Processing credit cards; Ordering supplies; Assist the department where help is needed the most; Account reconciliations/Monthly close support.

Broadcasting – Intern will assist in gathering pre and post game audio for team website; Edit and post daily Lightning updates and game highlights to team ftp; Conduct occasional player interviews for team website and weekly radio show; Write occasional blog stories on radio network web page; Log commercials during over-the-air TV broadcasts and attend all radio network remote broadcasts. Intern must possess strong creative writing ability for TV announcer drops.

Client Sales and Services – Intern will assist in the service of Season Ticket and Premium Seating Clientele; Manage the Client Services Lounge; Print and distribute Lightning tickets; Assist the sales staff and managers with Season Ticket Holder benefits, giveaways and coordinating and executing various events in conjunction with Lightning games; Answer the Client Services phone line, retrieve and respond to voicemails and e-mails in a prompt manner; Confirm ticket orders; Manage and update databases; Assist with the overall sales process, including event and game day responsibilities and other general office duties as assigned.

Community Hockey – Intern will assist Youth Hockey Development/Initiatives staff with daily activities and projects; Contribute to the development and coordination of Youth Hockey programs in the Tampa area; Assist on and off ice with clinics, programs and activities; Create marketing plans to promote Youth Hockey initiatives in the surrounding areas; Develop promotional ideas and events for current and potential Tampa Bay Lightning Youth Hockey strategies and sponsors; Assist in scheduling and organization the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Street program; Assist and implement ‘Mite Intermission’ performances with local recreation teams in the area; Keep a comprehensive record of events and important material that cover Youth Hockey events; Assist with booking youth hockey events, fundraisers and on-ice activities such as; winter camps, summer camps, holiday’s camps, clinics and mite intermissions; Attend and contribute to all Tampa Bay Lightning special events; Manage Youth Hockey Department contacts database and calendar.

Community Relations – Intern will assist with publicity and promotional efforts; Participate in fundraising activities; Aid with player appearances; Assist with local charities and other organizations; Schedule and attend community meetings and functions; Assist with give-a-ways and other prize packages; Perform administrative duties.

Concert and Event Marketing – Intern will assist writing press releases for upcoming shows; Update the media list and hotsheet; Work events and assist with media relations; Produce flyers for distribution; Maintain poster displays within the building; Monitor the website; Update master event listing for all events; Maintain show files; Create ticket and billboard comparison reports.

Corporate Hospitality – Intern will work with the Manager of Executive and VIP Services; Assist in planning events and hospitality for VIP partners and guests; Assist in strategic planning of events; Assist in hosting clients and guests in TBSE Corporate Suite and North Party Suite; Assist in decorating suites and arena for events and holidays; Make gift baskets for clients, fundraisers, and donations; Liaison with community leaders, dignitaries, and elected officials; Help set up and break down events; Update merchandise logs; Create documents, forms, and spreadsheets; Assist in updating and maintaining database and CRM software; Perform other duties as needed.

Corporate Sales and Partnership – Intern will assist the Corporate Sales and Marketing Partnerships Coordinator in supporting sponsorship sales efforts through the performance of daily office administrative duties; Maintain sales related spreadsheets and statistical data; Perform research and lead development; Monitor trade balances by contacting partners via phone and email.
 
Creative Marketing – Intern will assist the Project Manager and Art Director with coordinating the designer’s tasks and incoming projects from all Tampa Bay Times Forum and Tampa Bay Lightning departments; Prioritize and organize the designers schedule and order in which projects are signed off on; Get design approval from various departments; Track designers progress on various projects; Organize and log jobs once completed.

Digital Marketing and Social Media – Intern is responsible for supporting the growth and fulfillment of Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Storm, and Tampa Bay Times Forum social networks; Help maintain communication with fans/followers on Lightning, Tampa Bay Times Forum and Storm social media sites; Assist in monitoring and tracking social media performance on game days; Assist in running social media contests with fans, both in-arena and online; Assist in the collection, organization, and distribution of fan generated content; Assist with social media concourse and plaza activations; Pitch social media feature and contest ideas aimed at increasing Facebook and Twitter followers; Support marketing initiatives as needed; Perform other duties as assigned.

Event Coordination – Intern will assist in planning and executing all internal events; Produce and post locker room/floor/directional signage; Perform pre-event facility walk-through to ensure the building is ready per event set up sheet; Produce/print/copy hockey and event information sheets for guest services and command; Organize and maintain event folders; Research/ call vendors; Produce and send out detailed weekly schedules; Assist with producing prints/copies/faxes for different departments; Supervise events and work closely with production and management to provide the best quality of service to our clients.

Event Operations – Intern will work with the Guest Services and Platinum Services departments, as well as the Facility Patrol and Housekeeping departments; Perform customer service responsibilities; Assist with arena setup; Accommodate guests with disabilities; Answer guest compliments and complaints; Perform specific game/event day responsibilities, such as assisting with giveaways, building walks, game note distribution, and ticket “on-sale” crowd management.

Event Production – Intern will assist the Event Production department in the game preparation and execution of all Tampa Bay Lightning home games, Tampa Bay Storm home games, and related talent appearances; Assist with production scripts, timelines, logistics, props, prizes, show production, plaza production theme nights, special promotions and attend pre-production meetings; Assist with scheduling/confirmation of Mascot, Lightning Girls, and Bolt Brigade appearance requests; Assist with keeping promo closet /items organized; Assist with on-site Mascot, Lightning Girls, Bolt Brigade appearances and other Lightning-related events where Entertainment Team is required; Assist with distribution of marketing and promotional materials at Lightning games and Lightning community/sponsorship events and appearances.
 
Lightning Vision – Intern will assist in the Lightning Vision production for the Tampa Bay Lightning season, Tampa Bay Storm season, and other events at the Tampa Bay Times Forum; Collaborate with the Video and Graphics production team and other Lightning Vision personnel to assist in fulfilling the department’s video and motion graphics projects (includes some videography and editing associated with video features: highlight videos, quizzes, vignettes, promos, web and social media production); work in conjunction with Lightning Vision staff to execute Game Presentation; Prepare individual elements as directed on a daily basis for each specific game and series (i.e. headshots, video assemblies, statistical graphics, team elements); Serve as a production assistant for Lightning Vision video shoots (lighting, grip, etc); Log game tapes and edit highlight melts; assist with organization of files and footage; Dub tapes/DVD’s.

Lightning Vision Audio/Visual and Production – Intern will assist the A/V Operations & Lightning Vision Department in the event preparation and execution of all Tampa Bay Lightning home games and Tampa Bay Times Forum Events; Assist in control room operations; Assist with most video, audio, and scoring equipment set-up and operation for live and taped events; Assist with camera set-up and operation and camera gripping; Assist with audio operations and production (plaza and floor operations, press conferences); Assist with intercom operations; Assist with in-house television and audio operations and signal distribution; Assist with basic conference room style audio/visual set-up and operation; Assist with basic equipment, display system, and audio system maintenance.

Kids Club – Intern will assist with the development and implementation of Thunderbug’s Kids Club; Manage membership, marketing and promotions related to the club; Coordinate and execute various events in conjunction with Lightning games; Work closely with Group Sales but may work with other departments including Marketing and Game Operations.

Human Resources – Intern will assist in various HR projects; Assist in the management of paperwork flow; Assist in the maintenance of personnel files/contracts; Assist with work comp files/wage statements; Assist with payroll files; Assist with Safety Procedures/Trainings; Assist with planning employee training and events.

Public Relations – Intern will work directly with the hockey team and PR staff; Put together press clippings; Write stories and prospect profiles for www.tampabaylightning.com; Work with players to accommodate other department needs; Supply Lightning and visiting locker room with stats, press clippings, and game notes before morning skates; Assist with general hockey operations. Interns must be able to work Lightning games and have a strong writing background.

Sponsorship and Activation / Executive Suite Holder – Intern will assist in servicing Corporate Partners, Executive Suite clientele, and prospects; Help develop service programs including organizing hospitality events, receptions, and summits, as well as documenting each event; Assist with printing and distributing executive suite tickets; Update and maintain each specific database; Compile and track specific client trends, preferences, activation ideas, and hot buttons; Assist service team with tracking off-site activation; Log and organize merchandise, inventory, and track current trade accounts and balances; Assist with in-game promotions, plaza displays, enter to wins, meet and greets, and documenting Partner activation.

Sports Marketing – Intern will assist the Marketing Department in the advertising and promotion of Tampa Bay Lightning games and events; Maintain marketing calendars and spreadsheets; Assist with grassroots promotions; Write ad copy; Track media ticket orders and ensure promotions are activated according to schedule; Perform general administrative duties.

Tampa Bay Storm – Intern will answer phone and direct calls around the office; Check for mail daily; Manage the Storm online Staples account; Keep track of office supplies inventory and make orders when necessary; Manage and update player contact list; Update and manage player files when players are signed/released; Scan all new player information to the player database; Email new player information to the AFL League Office; Manage PTU Forms/Expense Forms and deliver to Accounts Payable Manager; Keep updated accounting file of PTU/Expense Forms; Manage workers compensation information and send to AFL League Office; Manage player payroll information and direct to AFL League Office; Manage exit and entrance physical forms for players and send to AFL League Office; Manage gift certificates sent in for tickets and direct to box office; Construct memos when necessary to players and staff; Create agendas for weekly staff meetings; Sort out per diem for players and staff into separate envelopes before away games; Manage all mail and calls from fans and respond to requests for pocket schedules, stickers, photos, etc.; Supply the visiting and home team locker rooms with will-call envelopes; Take all tickets to the will-call booth before the game; Post pre-game schedules around the locker room area; Be available to complete tasks for VP of Football Operations, President Football of Operations, and Coach.

Ticket Office – Intern will assist with the Premium Services department; Print and distribute tickets; Take individual event ticket orders for ADA seating; Assist sales staff; Assist coordinators in daily operations; Assist in season ticket delivery and distribution; Perform general office and event/game day duties.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Career oriented in the sports industry
• Exceptional work ethic and professionalism
• Team Player
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Flexible schedule and ability to work Lightning Games and other events (weekends, late nights, and holidays)
   

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
     •Assist with Recruiting and Interviewing, including creating job descriptions, pre-screening, setting up interviews, and follow-up
     •Maintain Personnel Files
     •Assist with Worker’s Compensation Claims
     •Assist with Employee-Safety Training
     •Assist with implementation of Onboarding Process
     •Assist with duties related to Internship Program
     •Assist with creation and implementation of Performance Appraisal System
     •Assist with compensation projects to include researching salary information
     •Assist with creating Safety Goals Program
     •Improve employee communications via e-mail and the Lightning intranet
     •Create forms, documents, and spreadsheets
     •Responsible for the overall organization of HR Office
     •Perform other duties, as assigned

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:
     •Must be currently enrolled as a student in a college or university, preferably as a Junior or Senior
     •Excellent written and oral communication skills
     •Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills
     •Ability to multi task
     •Attention to detail
     •Must be a team player