From the PROGEA Master to Behind the Scenes of Events: Annalisa Spadotto Scott, Community Specialist at On, Turns Her Passion for Sport into a Career

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From the PROGEA Master to Behind the Scenes of Events: Annalisa Spadotto Scott, Community Specialist at On, Turns Her Passion for Sport into a Career

27 october 2026

What does working in the exhibitions and events industry mean today? Annalisa Spadotto Scott, a former student of the 2020–2021 PROGEA Master and now Community Specialist at On, a premium sportswear brand, shares her experience. She has combined her passion for sport with her career, bringing together creativity, networking and event organisation.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • The PROGEA Master provides a broad overview of the exhibitions, events and congresses industry through interaction with professionals and lecturers.
  • The role of Community Specialist combines networking and creativity with a strong organisational component, particularly in event management.
  • At On, a premium sportswear brand, Annalisa works with a community of athletes from different sports and ability levels: her passion for sport has become part of her job.
  • Experiences gained in different fields should not be sacrificed: in the events industry, they become valuable assets to bring into one's work.
  • Exchanging ideas with fellow students, lecturers and professionals helps students understand what awaits them beyond the master's programme, before entering the professional world.

 

Career Story: Who Is Annalisa Spadotto Scott?

Annalisa Spadotto Scott attended the PROGEA Master at Accademia Fiera Milano in the 2020–2021 edition. Today, she is Community Specialist at On, a premium sportswear brand: a role that requires the ability to build relationships, develop networks and, at the same time, organise events systematically.

Her career story illustrates a common transition for those who choose this industry: starting with a genuine interest in events and progressing towards a profession in which that interest becomes expertise. In her case, there is also a longstanding thread connecting her journey: her passion for sport, which is now part of her everyday professional life.

 

From the Classroom to a Broader Perspective: What the Master Gave Her

Before the master's programme, Annalisa had only a partial understanding of the industry, driven mainly by her passion for this environment. Her studies at Accademia gave her a more comprehensive perspective.

“Thanks to Accademia, I had the opportunity to gain an overview of the world of exhibitions and events, which I had previously understood only in part.”

Meeting industry professionals, lecturers and fellow students was instrumental: these exchanges allowed her to explore a vast industry and gain a concrete understanding of what would await her after completing the master's programme.

This is one of the aspects that Accademia Fiera Milano places at the heart of its approach: learning through direct contact with people who work in the industry every day, in a setting such as Milan, which our website describes as one of Europe's leading hubs for B2B and corporate events, as well as exhibitions, fashion, design, sport and culture.

 

Community Specialist at On: When a Passion for Sport Becomes a Career

At On, Annalisa works with communities centred on running, as well as other areas: training, outdoor activities, tennis and lifestyle. She works with a broad community of athletes from different disciplines and ability levels. Here, passion and profession come together.

What does Annalisa find most stimulating about her work? The opportunity to draw on experiences gained in different contexts and fields, without having to give up any aspect of her professional identity.

“What I find most stimulating is the opportunity to draw on experiences gained in different contexts and not have to sacrifice any of these aspects.”

Three aspects coexist:

  • Creativity: ideas and forms of expression that emerge from one's personal journey.
  • Networking: an essential part of the community role.
  • Organisation: the structure required to organise events.

It is a balance that reflects the industry well: behind a successful event are relationships, ideas and rigorous planning.

 

Working in the Exhibitions and Events Industry Today: What Career Stories Reveal

Stories like Annalisa's show that there is no single career path in the world of exhibitions, events and congresses. The industry requires organisational, communication and management skills, while offering opportunities for a wide variety of professional profiles. After completing the PROGEA Master, graduates can work as account managers, project managers, event organisers or exhibition organisers, across corporate, cultural, sporting and exhibition events.

For those wondering how to enter this industry, alumni testimonials are a good starting point: they describe real roles, real choices and how each individual has built their own career path.

 

The PROGEA Master at a Glance

PROGEA is the Master Universitario di I livello in Progettazione e Organizzazione di Fiere, Eventi e Congressi, organised by Accademia Fiera Milano in collaboration with the Università degli Studi di Milano. The programme combines academic education, hands-on experience and direct contact with industry professionals and companies through lectures, project work and internships.

The internship is an integral part of the programme, and Accademia Fiera Milano's network of companies, agencies and leading organisations in the industry supports students' job placement.

 

Keep Following Accademia's Stories

Alumni career stories are one of the best ways to understand what working in the exhibitions, events and congresses industry means. Keep following Accademia Fiera Milano's news and channels: in the coming months, we will share more stories and upcoming opportunities to discover the PROGEA Master firsthand.

FAQ

Who Is Annalisa Spadotto Scott?

Annalisa Spadotto Scott is a former student of the 2020–2021 edition of the PROGEA Master at Accademia Fiera Milano. Today, she is Community Specialist at On, a premium sportswear brand, where she works with sports communities, from running and athletics to other disciplines.

What Does a Community Specialist Do?

As Annalisa explains, the role combines networking, creativity and event organisation: building relationships with a community of athletes (run crews, ambassadors, KOLs) and translating them into well-structured initiatives.

Can You Combine a Passion for Sport with a Career in Events?

Annalisa's story shows that it is possible: her passion for sport is now part of her job at a premium sportswear brand, where she works closely with run crews, ambassadors and athletes of all levels.

What Does Working in the Exhibition Industry Mean Today?

It means operating in a field that requires organisational, communication and management skills, working closely with companies, professionals and a variety of stakeholders.

Does the PROGEA Master Help Students Understand the World of Exhibitions and Events?

Yes. In her testimonial, Annalisa explains that she gained a broad overview of the industry through interactions with professionals, lecturers and fellow students.

Does the PROGEA Master Include an Internship?

Yes, an internship with a company is an integral part of the educational programme.

What Is the PROGEA Master at Accademia Fiera Milano?

It is a Master Universitario di I livello in Progettazione e Organizzazione di Fiere, Eventi e Congressi, delivered in collaboration with the Università degli Studi di Milano.

Why Choose a Master's Programme in Event Organisation in Milan?

Milan is one of Europe's leading hubs for B2B and corporate events, as well as exhibitions, fashion, design, sport and culture: studying here means having direct contact with companies and professionals in the industry.