All types of events require event management services for planning and implementation solutions. These events can be for business or personal functions and can include product launches, marketing and training conferences, weddings, festivals, press releases and corporate meetings. The size of these engagements can range from small gatherings involving less than ten people, to enormous jamborees like outdoor concerts, mega seminars and the Olympics. In all cases, the goal of the events can have a single purpose or a combination of purposes and it’s the event manager’s job to understand the goal(s) so they can properly prepare the logistical, creative and technical aspects surrounding the event.
There are numerous components involved in the event management process and depending on the size and scope of the event, several event managers or groups may be required. Basic event planning on the logistical side entails attendee registrations, flight and hotel arrangements, site surveying for location and meeting room acquisitions, agendas, budget drafting and maintenance, meal and guest planning, hotel and flight arrangements for all attendees, and security, health and safety issues. Obviously, there’s a lot involved with just these aspects of event management jobs but there are other areas where event management may also be required. For instance, on the technical side, event management could include the setup and acquisition of sound, light and video equipment and on the creative side, event management jobs could include site setup and design, entertainment provisions, and how the marketing of a given product or group is handled.
Qualifications of an Event Manager
In order to secure event management jobs, a person must be detail oriented and have exceptional organizational skills. Specific qualifications required are as follows:
• must maintain good interpersonal relationships with a network of people so they can function in an effective manner and be able to obtain everything needed to plan and execute a successful event;
• must be quick-witted and able to think and work under extraordinary pressure allowing them to resolve problems quickly and efficiently, or operate in such a way that they avoid problems altogether;
• must be creative thinkers with the ability to multi-task with a smile. Event planners must remain mindful of the fact that while clients are well aware of what they want in their events, they’re relying on the event manager, using their unique abilities and creative genius, to make the event come alive and have a resounding impact on all participants;
• must be adept at managing money as event managers will be responsible for the control and monitoring of the event budget; and
• must be able to direct and guide the personnel who are assisting with the planning.
One of the first things a manager must do is establish a list of vendors they can quickly access to gather all essentials. Points of contact for specific vendors who can supply the services, goods and products needed in the hotel and restaurant industries, production companies, and catering service operations are an invaluable listing for the event planner.
Event Management Jobs
The most common industries that use event management jobs are hotel, hospitality and travel industries, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and corporations. However, event management has become a part of practically every field imaginable. Charitable organizations, government industries, convention and visitor bureaus, art galleries, and churches and other religious affiliations all require the services of event managers to plan upcoming affairs. Some companies have event managers in house and other companies hire event managers from companies that specialize in event managing. When working on the staff in house, event managers will handle all the amenities and accommodations solely for that company’s events like planning the holiday parties, trade shows, employee and client conferences, seminars and meetings, and team-building projects.
Job Outlook for Event Managers
The Department of Labor states that statistically, the growth outlook for event management jobs through to the year 2014 is better than average. Salary depends on the job location and the specifics of the job itself but the median salary of an event manager in the United States ranges from $60,000 to $75,000 annually. Although there are a multitude of details involved, it’s absolutely crucial that the end result should flow seamlessly from beginning to end with no hint of interruption or chaos. While this can be challenging, it is by no means boring so event managers can find themselves in positions that are profoundly interesting and jam-packed with excitement. There’s also the opportunity to meet and mingle with an endless assortment of people.
Certification rather than degrees is the accepted requirement for event management. If so desired, students can get a bachelors or master’s degree in public relations, hospitality or marketing which would be a tremendous step toward obtaining recognition as an accomplished event manager while acquiring further training and experience in the field.