By Tania Davila, MBA2026
There’s a moment at Tattoo — usually toward the end, during the light show on Sussex Place — where everything just clicks. The building lights up with projections, music from around the world plays, and hundreds of students are singing, dancing, hugging, laughing. It’s one of those rare moments where you feel the weight of something joyful, shared, and uniquely “LBS.”
What is Tattoo?
If you haven’t heard of it yet, Tattoo is LBS’s biggest cultural event of the year. It’s not just a party — it’s a full-day takeover of our Sussex campus, and a celebration of the incredible global community we’re part of.
And when I say full-day, I mean it: there’s a silent disco, live bands, dance competitions judged by faculty, games on the lawn, external food and drink vendors, and student-led club booths serving authentic dishes and drinks — all included in your ticket. It’s energetic, beautiful, and a little overwhelming in the best way possible. Everyone on campus is involved, and for many of us on the planning side, it’s months in the making.
This year, over 40 students worked on the Tattoo crew, across different pillars like entertainment, marketing, operations, food and beverage and more — all in close partnership with school staff, club leaders, and external vendors. It’s a community-wide effort, and that’s exactly what makes it so special.
The View from Behind the Scenes
I was one of the co-leads of the operations pillar this year. Alongside a phenomenal team, I helped manage everything from tech and AV to the marquee build, the afterparty setup, the light show, and more.
Of course, not everything went to plan. We had vendor issues, last-minute changes, and plenty of curveballs. But honestly? That’s where the magic of the team came through. We split up, adapted, made calls on the spot, and kept things moving — all while making sure that the people attending never saw the chaos behind the curtain. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about knowing that people are having a great time because of the work you and your team put in.
What I Learned (and What You Might, Too)
If you’re thinking of getting involved in big events at LBS — whether through the Student Association or as part of a club — here’s what I’d want you to know.
You don’t need to be an expert. What you do need is the ability to trust your team, stay calm when things shift, and focus on why you’re doing it in the first place. I learned that no matter how much you plan, things will break. The real skill is adapting without losing your energy — or your sense of humour.
Working with people I’d never met before, and becoming a tight-knit team under pressure, reminded me just how collaborative this community is. I also learned how valuable past experience is — those who had worked on Tattoo before had insights that proved essential. And as I look ahead to co-chairing next year’s event, I’m carrying those lessons with me.
The Moment That Made It All Worth It
After hours of setup and months of planning, my favourite part came during the light show that wrapped the event. Picture this: animated visuals dancing across Sussex Place, music blasting, students from every part of the world singing along, arms around each other. It wasn’t just beautiful — it was symbolic.
That moment brought everything together. It wasn’t about flawless logistics or perfect timing. It was about people, joy, and the feeling of being part of something truly global.
So, What’s Next?
Next year, I’ll be co-chairing Tattoo — and I couldn’t be more excited. We have big ideas, but the heart of the event will stay the same: celebrating who we are, together.
If you’re considering LBS, know that Tattoo is one of those experiences you’ll hear about from day one — and by the time you live it, you’ll understand why. Whether you’re dancing at the silent disco, working at a food stall, performing at the talent show, or just attending and enjoying, you’ll feel part of something bigger.
And if you’re anything like me, you’ll walk away thinking: we really did that.