Are you a practical person who always finds the fastest and easiest ways to solve problems? Are you creative when working on something and have good people skills? If the answer to these questions is a ‘yes’, you could have a lucrative career in event management. Creative problem solvers with great people skills are in demand, as they possess the necessary set of skills that are a must-have in event management. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking into event management because you’re hoping to change careers or you’re looking for your first job, here’s what you should know about the industry:
Who is an event manager?
An event manager is a highly skilled and capable person responsible for overseeing all possible aspects of an event. This means that they are involved in the initial planning stages, and they stick around all the way through to the event execution. What kind of events do they manage? The events can vary widely in both size and type, and may include, but aren’t limited to concerts, all kinds of conferences and parties, and even festivals. Of course, being in charge and managing finances plays a rather large part in their role. This is because they are limited by the client’s budget from the start, and have to create and deliver events without overstepping the agreed-upon number. An event manager’s specific tasks vary widely from one project to another and depend mostly on the wishes of their client, the limitations of the venue and the type of event itself.
What does an event manager do?
An event manager certainly has a lot on their plate. Because they have to be there from the very beginning to the very end, they are in charge of finding the right venue that meets their client’s needs and budget. With the venue out of the way, they have to focus on venue props and designing the stage for the event. They should also be in touch with different caterers and make sure refreshments and entertainment for the event are all covered. Visitors and guests should have an easy way to get to the venue and have accommodation if the event lasts longer. They should also plan out event logistics, such as equipment. With all this sorted out, an event manager should send out invitations to all of the attendees and start working on promoting the event on social media and in public. And once the event is over, they should collect the post-event feedback, analyze event performance, and calculate the ROI.
Get the right education
By far the most common way to becoming an event manager is usually through education. There are courses and programs you can attend, and upon completion, you can get a relevant diploma or a certificate. The difference between these two is the amount of time you have on your hands. While certificates commonly take about a year to complete, diplomas, on the other hand, usually take two years. Both of these should include practical and theoretical, as you need both to be ready to find great event management companies and take on actual planning. Don’t forget that while you may be able to get a job as an events manager with a diploma, most employers place a lot of value on the experience.
A Bachelor’s degree is a plus
We already mentioned that employers value experience, but getting a bachelor’s degree can significantly improve your chances of getting a job as an event manager. The downside of this is that getting a bachelor’s means that you have to spend three or four years studying before you complete the program. On the plus side, getting a bachelor’s degree means that you already have both practical and theoretical studies done, which is a huge plus in your CV. When you have a degree, some experience, and extensive knowledge, you’re already standing out of the crowd. Employers will be aware of just how dedicated to the industry you are if you’re willing to invest that much time into your education. What kind of degree could you pursue? Event management is an obvious answer, but you can also succeed if you have a management or project management degree.
Create a portfolio
With education and experience, you’re on your way to becoming a full-time event manager. But you shouldn’t forget that you need proofs of your work that your future employers can check. You have to build a showcase of experience and keep it up to date. Keep it in a place that’s easily accessible to both yourself and your potential employees. To get started, you have to build your portfolio with loads of photos and letters of recommendation. You can include photos of yourself in any volunteer roles you’ve taken part as well as flyers of the actual event to show what the event was. Anything else you’ve contributed should be covered too, so don’t shy away from adding more examples of your work. Even if it was “just” your ideas that were used to create a hashtag, a logo, or a banner, include it in your portfolio.
Build your network
The moment you meet with your first client, you start building your network. And you should never stop doing it. By being polite and accommodating, you will be remembered by everyone: caterers, sound and light technicians, venue waiters, guests, and photographers. You are building your contact list as you work, and the more you work, the more you get in touch with a wide network of people you can later refer to. Don’t forget that event planner careers can sometimes take off in many different directions, and your network can help you get your dream job. You might already have a pretty strong idea about a particular sector you want to work in, for example, festivals or even weddings. If that’s the case, make sure you have a specific list of contacts that are vital for that specific sector. Another good idea is to keep a separate list of all of your top-level contacts, as they are often the people you could later approach for a potential job opening or reference.
Event managers are incredibly skillful and well-organized individuals who help with the organization and coordination of different events for their clients. While getting relevant experience and earning a bachelor’s degree can certainly help you enter this dynamic world, it isn’t always necessary. When you learn about the necessary requirements for this position, you can decide if this field of work is something you see yourself in. The events sector is growing every year, and it promises to be a lucrative career option in the future.
