In the wake of globalisation and increased networking between people, large-scale events have become the social norm. Right from weddings, birthday parties to parties held in honour of someone, events in the present age require extensive planning, huge manpower and long hours to search for the perfect venue.
Today, the responsibilities on an event planner seem endless—catering, decorations, sending invites to guests, gifts, photographers, venue, entertainment etc. An event planner works with different vendors to make sure that your event becomes a pleasant memory for you and everybody else.
If you want a career option that lets you showcase your creativity and people skills, event management can be the right venture for you. Read on to find what entails in this profession, benefits of pursuing this career, and some useful tips to kick-start your career.
What is event management?
Event management includes the planning and preparations for large-scale events such as celebrity weddings, trade-fairs, conferences, symposiums, college fests or other ceremonies. It involves the identification of the target audience, formulation of the concept of the event, planning for the general logistics such as transport and budget and ensuring proper execution of the event.
The responsibilities of event managers or planners include
- Coordinating with different vendors
- Arranging for transportation and parking
- Obtaining necessary permits
- Ensuring compliance with the local health and safety standards
- Crisis management in case of emergencies
- Designing a fool proof plan for the security of the event
- Hiring and coordinating with media personnel for entertainment
Apart from these responsibilities, the job also entails other work which may vary as per the nature of the event.
Why should you pursue a career in event management?
There are several advantages of pursuing a career in event management.
- It improves your people skills: Managing an event would require you to interact with clients, vendors, the regulatory authorities and many other people. You always need to bring your A-game and tactfully impress the other person to get your job done. Being on the job will teach you the nuances of dealing with different types of people.
- It teaches the importance of being a team player: Large events go well only when you work together with other people involved. Event management will teach you the intricacies and importance of teamwork.
- It imparts transferrable skills: Event planning involves many management skills such as job delegation and people interaction that are important for a successful career in any domain. It imparts transferable skills that help you advance your career even if you switch industries.
- It provides an outlet for your creativity: If you are good at designing or art, there are several elements of event management such as decoration and design that can act as platforms for showing off your creativity.
- It builds your customer service skills: Event planning requires you to interact with your clients on a regular basis which helps in building your customer service skills.
Simple tips to start your career in event management
Here are some useful tips that can help you advance in the field of event planning.
- Pursue an event planning course: Though a degree is not compulsory for starting a career in this field, it can help you gain a solid foundation in the important aspects of the industry. These courses often have placement opportunities that can help you bag the job of your choice.
- Volunteer or intern for smaller events: Volunteering or interning for smaller events near you can provide a first-hand knowledge of the intricacies of the job. Internships or volunteering jobs also provide you with practical skills concerning the profession.
- Research more about the industry: If you want to become an event planner, it is important that you familiarise yourself thoroughly with the industry. Go through blogs by industry giants, event management magazines or research papers that educate you about the latest trends in the domain.
- Go to meetups: A big component of being a good event planner is an extended network of professional contacts. You can go to meetups to interact with other event organisers and pick their brains for new ideas or best practices.
A typical day in the event management industry is filled with a bittersweet combination of highs and lows, which is true for most organisations across different industries. Being committed to your work, tending to the little details, and increasing your social and professional network will help you overcome the challenges and build a reputation as a successful event planner.
If your creative skills are on-point, pursuing a career in event management can be a good idea. Sign up for an event management programme today and get ready to organise the next big event!
