To celebrate Indiana Intern Day on July 31st, 2025, RGI is proud to highlight our two summer interns- Evan Porterfield, Meetings Intern, and Ninaad Dutta, Marketing and Communications Intern. RGI is proud to have had an internship program for over 10 years, offering the next generation of professionals a hands-on way to learn more about careers in event planning or marketing while providing an opportunity to experience working in a professional office environment. Our interns have had an incredible impact over the years by offering their fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and unique skill sets, and Evan and Ninaad are no exception!
Learn more below about Evan and Ninaad’s backgrounds, goals, and experiences, as well as some of their key takeaways from their internships so far through our 10-question Q&A.
1. Are you currently in college, and if so, what do you study?
Evan: I’m a senior at the University of Indianapolis studying communication with an emphasis in public relations and media.
Ninaad: I currently attend DePauw University, where I’m a rising senior majoring in Business Analytics.
2. What are your aspirations for after college?
Evan: I’m not 100% certain what I want to do after college. However, I have a good idea of what field and the general work I enjoy. I’d love to work in tourism and hospitality. I enjoy all things media production, marketing, and public relations. I would love to work for Visit Indy or Holiday World.
Ninaad: After college, I plan to play competitive soccer while also working in a role that combines my interests in data, marketing, and sports. Ideally, I’d love to work with a football club or in a marketing or analytical role where I feel engaged and motivated.
3. What are your passions outside of work and school?
Evan: I love photography and often take photos when I have free time. I love watching sports, so I always have a game on. I also enjoy spending time with my girlfriend.
Ninaad: Soccer has always been a major part of my life. I’ve played competitively since childhood and continue to stay active in the sport. Outside of soccer, I’m passionate about water sports, hiking, and camping.
4. Are you originally from the Indianapolis area?
Evan: I was born in Mount Airy, Maryland but moved to Indy when I was five.
Ninaad: I’m from Delhi, India, and I came to the U.S. in 2022 to attend DePauw University. Moving here has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I’ve enjoyed experiencing life and work in a new environment.
5. What are some typical projects you work on as an intern here at RGI?
Evan: I conduct a lot of research for our clients’ conferences. I really enjoy helping the RGI staff find solutions to conference problems. I have also made a couple of marketing materials for conferences.
Ninaad: At RGI, I’ve been involved in creating social media content, helping craft messaging for campaigns, video editing , and assisting with brand development projects. I also support day-to-day marketing tasks like creating or refining presentations.
6. What have been some of your favorite projects so far?
Evan: At RGI, I have really enjoyed projects that allow me to look at venues, taking note of the good and bad qualities of each venue. I really enjoy finding solutions to our clients’ needs. And looking for venues is always fun!
Ninaad: I really enjoy content creation and working on campaigns that require both creativity and innovation. It’s rewarding to see how even small changes in messaging or visuals can influence engagement. To be more specific, I enjoyed making and working on the RGI promotion video for ICON 2025- a conference for association professionals that RGI is proud to be a sponsor of.
7. What is something you're looking forward as you begin your professional career?
Evan: I really enjoy creating an impactful experience. I want to work in tourism because I want to be a part of the process in creating a meaningful and fun experience for everyone. As a college student who works on many projects with a wide range of topics, I’m also excited to focus on one main goal.
Ninaad: I’m looking forward to growing in roles where I can blend creativity and data analytics, especially in fast-paced environments like sports and entertainment. I’m excited to help organizations in meaningful ways.
8. Why did you choose to intern at RGI, and what has been your favorite part of working here?
Evan: I kind of feel like RGI chose me in a way. I was introduced to Emily Wrinkle- one of the intern supervisors- at a networking event at my school. I had been applying for a couple of internships with little luck. Emily told me about her internship opportunity at RGI. So, we connected, and I applied and now here I am!
Ninaad: I was drawn to RGI because of the first few conversations I had with the team and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in both marketing and communications. My favorite part has been the collaborative environment. I’ve learned a lot from the team and appreciate the creative freedom I’ve had in contributing ideas and projects.
9. What have been some of your biggest takeaways from this internship so far?
Evan: Being a PR student, I have always wondered what it would truly be like to work for different clients and manage a wide range of projects. What I found is that I really enjoy it. I also learned a lot about Association Management Companies (AMCs) and find this line of work very interesting and a possible path for me to follow.
Ninaad: One big takeaway is how important storytelling is in marketing. It’s not just about promoting a product or idea, it’s about understanding your association’s audience, the demographics, and insights from past content. I’ve also learned how to adapt quickly and manage different tasks across multiple platforms.
10. What are some skills or lessons you've learned while at RGI that extend beyond typical classroom learning?
Evan: Funny enough I think one of the largest skills I have learned so far is managing the Microsoft system. I have always been a Google fan, using software like Google Docs, Google Sheets, Gmail, etc. But I have found that I can easily navigate Microsoft software now.
Ninaad: Working on marketing initiatives at RGI taught me how to craft targeted campaigns, build brand consistency, and communicate effectively with people I work with. I’ve also learned how to think creatively under time constraints and had the opportunity to explore several new tools like Mailchimp and Adobe InDesign, while refining my existing skills along the way- experiences you don’t always get to practice in a classroom setting.
Final Thoughts
We couldn’t be more grateful for all of the hard work our interns have shown and look forward to cheering them on in their future professional journeys.
RGI Fun Fact: RGI is happy to have three of our former interns as full-time staff members now!
Evan Porterfield
Evan joined the RGI team as a Meeting Intern for Summer 2025. He currently attends the University of Indianapolis, where he studies communications, public relations, and media. A fan of media production and photography, Evan looks forward to starting his professional career in hospitality and tourism.
Ninaad Dutta
Ninaad joined the RGI team as a Marketing and Communications Intern for Summer 2025. He currently attends DePauw University, where he studies business analytics. Ninaad is passionate about combining his love for sports with his professional interests in data and marketing. Outside of work and school, he stays active by playing competitive soccer, hiking, and enjoying water sports.