Rialto Events
Supporting Event Growth and Strategic Insight
The Client
Rialto Events is a Nottingham-based events and training company launched in 2024, dedicated to creating dynamic and inclusive networking opportunities across the East Midlands. Operating alongside Rialto Training, the organisation supports students, sole traders and SMEs through three signature event formats:
- Business Expo at Alea Casino – A twice-yearly showcase with 20 exhibition stands and 150 attendees.
- Co-Working and Cocktails – A monthly skills and networking session for up to 15 participants.
- Private Drink Mixers for the Hospitality Sector – Bespoke, invitation-only networking events.
With a commitment to helping local professionals connect, learn and grow, Rialto Events is rapidly building its reputation as a vibrant contributor to the regional business community.
The Challenge
As a young and growing business, Rialto Events sought support in:
- strengthening brand awareness
- promoting events more effectively to business audiences
- encouraging earlier ticket bookings
- exploring cost-effective marketing strategies
- gaining clearer insight into their diverse target audiences.
Their reliance on organic marketing (primarily LinkedIn and Eventbrite) had successfully generated interest, but the pattern of last-minute sign-ups made forecasting and planning challenging. To address this, a team of MSc Marketing students undertook a research-led consultancy project between October and December 2025.
The Project
The student consultants collaborated closely with Rialto Events, maintaining communication throughout and shaping the project according to the client’s needs. Their work included:
- audience profiling across students, sole traders, SMEs, and hospitality professionals
- exploration of low-cost, high-impact marketing channels
- competitor research to identify best practices for event engagement
- recommendations to optimise ticket sales and encourage earlier bookings
- strategic ideas to strengthen brand positioning and event messaging.
Rialto provided helpful insights and direction that the students incorporated into their research and recommendations.
What Went Well
The project made a strong, positive impression from the outset:
“I was really pleased with the whole delivery of the project, from the Business School reaching out to the final delivery from the students.”
The client praised the students’ engagement, professionalism, and ability to present information clearly:
“The students were very engaged, knowledgeable, and were able to deliver the information to me in a way that made it easy to digest.”
The breadth of new ideas – supported by data and research – exceeded expectations:
“Lots of new ideas were brought to the table to help my business, backed up by the data and research from the students. The project exceeded my expectations!”
Communication and Collaboration
The collaboration between the client, tutors and students was smooth and effective:
“I was kept in the loop from both the tutors and the students, making communication and understanding easy throughout the project.”
The students demonstrated professionalism in seeking additional information, providing updates, and integrating client insights:
“The students were able to keep me updated…and took onboard my insights and direction too.”
Implementing the Recommendations
Rialto Events found immediate value in the students’ ideas – even before the final presentation:
“Even during the fact-finding meeting, they offered practical advice that I was able to start implementing straight away.”
The final presentation sparked further inspiration and revealed opportunities the client had not previously considered:
“The students offered really relevant and detailed information…which inspired me on how I can better position myself in the market and gave me new insights I hadn’t considered.”
Rialto Events is already implementing elements of the strategy and intends to take forward additional recommendations.
The Impact
The project provided an immediate and meaningful benefit:
“There was an immediate positive impact from the recommendations…I found it very beneficial and I'm sure the new strategies will help drive my events business forward.”
The consultancy experience offered Rialto Events:
- greater clarity on audience needs and behaviours
- practical steps to improve event visibility and ticket sales
- ideas for refining brand messaging and unique value
- strategic direction for sustainable business growth.
Advice for Future Projects
The client strongly encouraged other businesses to participate:
“To future employers, I would highly recommend they get involved with these projects. It’s been a really valuable experience.”
To find out more about Rialto Events please visit the Rialto Events LinkedIn page.
Do you have a business challenge that could use a new perspective?
Get in touch with us at NBSStudentProjects@ntu.ac.uk to find out how we can work together.