It's The Things You Don't See...

...that make all the difference.

That is the motto of Cleanevent, the company I am working for at the Olympics and, quite frankly, I am excited to be a part a company that excels in its field the way that Cleanevent does.

This family-owned business was founded in 1987 by an Aussie named Craig Lovett, and it has since grown to operate not only in Australia but also in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and the Middle East. In addition to creating a presence across the globe, the company has also developed a corporate group, CE Property Service Group, which has an assortment of specialized service arms reaching different sectors of the business world.

Cleanevent's impressive resume boasts four previous Olympic Games: Atlanta in summer 1996, Sydney in summer 2000, Salt Lake City in winter 2002, and Athens in summer 2004. Other organizations that Cleanevent has serviced include the NFL, the NBA, Formula 1, and FIFA.

This company will be taking good care of its student interns. In addition to our complimentary room, board, and transportation (that is, transportation once we arrive in Vancouver - our airfare was our own responsibility) and the chance to work at an event of this scale, there will be an educational component to our program. In a letter we received from Craig Lovett himself back in October, we were told that we "will be lectured by some of the best that the International Events marketplace has to offer". At the time we received the letter they were coordinating our exposure to:

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC)
• Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Winter Games (VANOC)
• Cleanevent executives
• Athletes' Village planning teams
• National Olympic Committees (NOC's)
• International-class event planning and management companies

We have not heard anything of late updating us on these opportunities and it stands to reason that some of these connections may not play out as Cleanevent had hoped, but even if we get to experience a fraction of the program they had been planning it will be an unparalleled opportunity.

We also received an email recently from a man who introduced himself as our intern adviser/mentor. We will meet regularly with him to discuss what we're learning and how to apply this experience to our careers. We also may be able to tour some of the venues with him, which will further increase our exposure to the Games.

I'm chomping at the bit now, anxious to get started and discover all that is in store for me. I'll have to contain my excitement for a few more days now...