Consider working in the field of event management if you are a someone who is very organized, has strong interpersonal skills, and thrives in a fast-paced workplace.
Event managers are responsible for the planning and organization of social, corporate, and promotional events. They are accountable for organizing and directing a variety of events, as well as ensuring that the intended audience is kept interested and that the event's content is effectively disseminated. The success of a company or organization may be greatly attributed to the events that they host.
In your role as an event manager, you will be responsible for organizing a variety of events, including conferences, seminars, and exhibits, as well as parties and business incentive trips.
You will be in charge of managing the whole process, beginning with the planning stage and continuing all the way through the execution of the event and the assessment of its success once it has concluded. The job entails a significant amount of physical labor and often requires collaboration with others.
Responsibilities
To successfully handle events, you will need to:
communicate with customers to learn the specifics of their event needs.
create comprehensive plans for upcoming events (including timelines, venues, suppliers, legal obligations, staffing and budgets)
Conduct research on potential venues, vendors, and contractors; next, negotiate costs and hiring
oversee and organize all of the event's logistics as well as the vendors (for example, venue, catering, travel)
communicate with the marketing and sales departments in order to publicize and advertise the event.
oversee all aspects of the event's pre-planning, including arranging for guest speakers and putting together delegate packets.
Help ensuring that everything goes according to plan and smoothly by coordinating with vendors, fielding questions from customers, and solving problems on the day of the event.
supervise a group of employees while providing comprehensive updates.
Establish facilities for the parking of automobiles, the regulation of traffic, the provision of first assistance, and the hosting of journalists.
ensuring that insurance, legal, and health and safety duties are met is an absolute need.
supervise the disassembly and removal of the event, as well as the expeditious cleaning of the venue.
create a review after the event in order to improve future events.
investigate potential new business partnerships and gatherings.
Salary
The starting salary range for entry-level positions is generally between £18,000 and £22,000.
After gaining expertise, you might anticipate earning anything between £22,000 and $25,000 year.
The starting salary for managers is typically approximately £33,000, although this may increase to more than £40,000 for senior managers or directors who have substantial experience and a track record that is very excellent.
Different employers, geographic locations, and industries provide varying pay scales for their employees. Performance-related compensation, commission, and bonuses are all examples of additional perks that might contribute to an increase in an employee's total wage.
The monetary amounts listed are just meant to serve as a reference point.
Time spent working
In the days leading up to an event, you will often keep regular office hours. However, as the day of the event draws nearer, you should be prepared to put in additional hours, especially those on nights and weekends.
Work on a part-time basis is an option.
What may be anticipated
The majority of the work will take place in an office setting; nevertheless, you will be required to travel to meet with customers, partners, sponsors, venues, and other providers. It is possible that you may need to work outside in order to arrange and execute the event, such as a concert or festival that takes place outside.
Jobs may be found all across the UK, although the majority of them can be found in the bigger towns and cities, as well as in areas that have several large conference and event sites.
Once you have gained experience and built up a network of connections, you will be able to pursue self-employment and freelance job opportunities.
It is possible that you may be required to spend time away from home, either in the UK or elsewhere, depending on the kind of event that you are working on.
Qualifications
To become an event manager, you do not need to have a degree in a particular field; nevertheless, it may be beneficial to earn a degree or higher education diploma (HND) in event management, hotel or catering management, leisure and tourism, marketing, or business. Employers care a lot more about your talents and personal traits, in addition to your previous experience working in the field.
It is not necessary to have a degree in order to work as an events manager, and you may work your way up from an assistant job by acquiring experience as you go up the ranks. Obtaining a Level 2 Certificate in Event Planning is not required but might prove to be beneficial in the long run.
The conventional path to become an event manager does not exist, and the majority of companies will hire new employees only when positions become available.
People with backgrounds in marketing, hospitality, public relations, or arts administration may find it easier to transition into the field of event management.
Skills
You'll need to make sure you have:
abilities in organization and careful attention to detail
talents in both communication and interpersonal interaction
the ability to negotiate in order to get the greatest price from venues, suppliers, and contractors
abilities in time management and the capacity to perform well under pressure are necessary in order to guarantee the smooth operation of an event.
project management experience
problem-solving skills and diplomacy
Having experience in sales and marketing will help advertise the event and bring in sponsors.
the capability of managing one's financial resources
a strategy that is adaptable, goal-oriented, and proactive
administrative and IT skills
inspiration from inside and a positive attitude.
Practice in the workplace
In order to break into this highly competitive area, you will need to have relevant experience, whether paid or volunteer, as well as understanding of the business. There are several degree programs that provide an optional year working in the sector, which may be an excellent approach to build relevant experience and make connections in the field.
You may make the most of your time spent at university by organizing events for a student society, for charitable organizations, or for other organizations and groups with which you are affiliated. Gaining experience in the hospitality business, as well as in sales, marketing, or providing assistance to customers, is also beneficial.
Find out more information on the many types of work experience and internships that are currently offered.
Employers
You have the option of working for event management businesses, in-house organizations, or freelancing in the public sector, the commercial sector, or the not-for-profit sector. Employers who fall within this category include:
charities
places for holding conferences and exhibitions
events venues
hotels
major commercial enterprises
administrations at the community level
festivals of music, literature, and the performing arts
places of interest to the public
firms that specialize in public relations (PR)
specialised event management consultancies
universities.