Spotlights
10 Questions with Alumna Alyssa Bey
Alyssa Bey, Undergrad: 2020, Master’s: 2022, Event Coordinator
for the West Michigan Sports Commission
Where was your favorite place to eat on campus or off campus?
The basement of Kirkhof was my absolute favorite! But off campus you could never go wrong with karaoke night at Main St. Pub.
Favorite place at GVSU to hang out with friends?
The Fieldhouse/Rec Center. I met most of my closest friends there
and was always there playing or watching sports.
Favorite class?
SPM 202. We were able to talk (and sometimes argue) about what
was happening in the world of sports.
Favorite internship?
Working with the GVSU Club Sports Department.
Favorite sport team or event?
I am unfortunately a die-hard Detroit sports fan. Whenever I have
time, I love going back to the east side to get to a game.
Then I also love my Spartans. GO GREEN!!
What is your current day to day work like?
No day is ever the same!
During the summer it’s about a half in the office and half onsite
at our events. In the office I’m reviewing the sporting events coming
into town for the week and then tracking how many teams and
participants are coming into Kent County from out of town. Those
numbers are how we track how many families are coming to stay
overnight and spend money in our county. I also make sure these events
have everything they need leading up to the event. That could include
making sure they have hotel blocks for teams, dropping off visitor
maps and information for things to do while teams are visiting,
finding volunteers, and just about anything else you could think of.
When out of the office we are usually volunteering or have a booth set
up at an event to spread the word of who we are and give out
information about Grand Rapids and Kent County. We were just working
the Meijer LPGA Classic which allowed us to be out of the office and
the golf course watching the best female golfers in the world for a week.
What is your favorite part of your job?
One of my favorite things is meeting people and building
relationships in the sports and even non-sports industry in Grand
Rapids and all over the country. We have connections with so many
groups and businesses in Grand Rapids, I have loved getting to know
people in the city. Then we have industry conferences we attend
throughout the year that are held in different cities each year. Not
only am I able to experience a new city, but I’m able to connect with
young professionals in my same position for a different city. It’s
been so beneficial and interesting to hear what markets bigger and
smaller than ours are doing in their cities!
How did you land your first job?
I had shadowed one of their former employees for an assignment in
SPM 225, and after that we stayed connected. During the winter break
before my last semester of my master’s program she informed me that
the event coordinator position at the sports commission had opened and
that I should apply. I was very hesitant to apply since I still had a
semester of school left, was working for GV, and was playing
basketball. I was shocked when I got the email saying I got the job!
They were very flexible with my school and work schedule, and it
helped that I was once an intern for them.
Favorite thing you have done in your current role?
Traveling! Even though it is for work, the people I have met and
things I’ve been able to experience feel like once in a lifetime.
Any advice or inspiration for current Sport Management students?
Don't be afraid to apply and accept jobs that may not necessarily
be in an area you've always been interested in. You never know what a
job can teach you and what other doors it can open up.
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