How to Become an Event Manager

September 12, 2024
To become an event manager means you must arrange, plan, and execute events in any field of event management.
How to Become an Event Manager

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How to Become an Event Manager

What Are the Main Types of Event Managers?

To become an event manager means you must arrange, plan, and execute events in any field of event management. The role of event managers depends on the type of event. It requires some different skills and knowledge. The main types of event managers are:

  • Corporate Event Manager: Event managers organise any event for businesses and organisations. These events may be conferences, product launches, seminars, trade fairs, corporate parties, or other professional events. They always focus on the theme of the company’s goals, brand, and objectives.
  • Wedding Planner: A wedding planner plans weddings, from small local affairs to large-scale events. The planner acts as coordinator for the event and ensures that all members of the wedding party are in the right place at the right time. This includes selecting a venue, hiring caterers and musicians, and organising a guest list.
  • Festival/Event Producer: Plan, coordinate, and execute large public events such as music festivals, food fairs, or cultural festivals. Responsible for logistics, entertainment, and vendor coordination to ensure the event is enjoyable for thousands of attendees.
  • Charity Event Manager: Charity event managers run fundraising events for nonprofit organisations. These events include gala dinners, charity runs, auctions, and awareness campaigns. The focus is on creating a happy and memorable guest experience and raising the maximum amount of money possible.
  • Sports Event Manager: This person organises the running of a sporting event, such as a marathon, a football match, or a tennis tournament. They manage logistics such as venue preparation and ticket sales, liaise with athletes, and ensure safety and compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Exhibition/Event Manager: Plans and coordinates trade shows, exhibitions, and expos, in which businesses and consumers come together in one place to display products and services. Exhibition managers coordinate booth space, marketing, vendor communication, and attendee participation.
  • Conference Manager: Conferences are high-stakes events for attendees who want to learn and connect with others. A conference manager is the person you want to have on your side. Conference managers plan and execute professional or academic conferences. Their responsibilities include event logistics, speaker coordination, session scheduling, and ensuring attendees have a good experience. There are usually multiple tracks of content at conferences, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities.
  • Social Event Planner: This position organises private events such as birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, and retirement parties. The planner coordinates everything from invitations to decorations, catering, and entertainment—from start to finish—to create an event tailored to the client’s preferences.
  • Destination Event Manager: A specialist in staging events at a particular locale, usually destination weddings or corporate retreats, who works with local vendors, coordinates travel logistics, and navigates the challenges of staging events in unfamiliar locations.
  • Virtual Event Manager: Virtual event managers organise online events like webinars, virtual conferences, and live streams in the field of digital technology. Their main responsibility is to manage the technical aspects of the event, such as conducting audio and video streaming, engaging the audience via chatbox, handling technical issues, and coordinating all participants and speakers.

What Does an Event Manager Do?

Event managers are responsible for events from the planning stage to the end of the event and evaluation. Their jobs can vary depending on what type of event they are managing, but their roles will typically involve the same general tasks:

  • Event Conceptualization and Planning: Event managers work with clients to establish the concept and goals for the event. This includes discussing the client’s vision and developing objectives, themes, formats, and critical elements that provide direction and guidance for the event. This stage also includes establishing a timeline, selecting a venue, and developing a vendor plan.
  • Budget Management: Budget management is undoubtedly the most crucial role of an event manager. They must prepare a budget for the event and define the cost for different items, such as venue rent, refreshments, entertainment, marketing, and staff. They have to ensure that the event’s quality does not suffer because of the budget.
  • Vendor Coordination: Event managers coordinate with a range of vendors to provide catering, décor, audiovisual tech, and photography services. They negotiate and maintain contracts with these vendors and confirm the delivery of the required goods and services until the event is over.
  • Logistics and Operations: The event manager oversees all logistical aspects of an event, including venue setup and seating, sound and light, signage, and transportation. This includes ensuring that the venue is prepared and that the equipment is working before the event begins.
  • Marketing and Promotion: An event manager is responsible for promoting a public event and creating a marketing plan to ensure that it will attract many people. This can be done by creating campaigns, managing social media accounts, creating posters and flyers, and working with PR teams to ensure the public’s interest in the event.
  • Guest Management: Event managers issue invitations, register and check in guests, and provide guests with venue directions, event schedules, and other information necessary for them to enjoy the event properly. They might also coordinate special arrangements for VIP guests and seat them.
  • Event Execution: On the day of the event, the event manager oversees all aspects of the event’s execution, from liaising with vendors to managing the staff and addressing problems that may arise. The event manager is responsible for ensuring that the event proceeds without any hitches and that attendees have an enjoyable experience.
  • Functions of an Event Manager: An event manager should know how to handle crisis management because events might not go as planned. The event manager should be prepared for any unexpected situation, such as a last-minute cancellation, technical problem, or supplier/vendor late delivery. The event manager should be able to maintain calm under pressure and solve problems quickly and efficiently.
  • Post-Event Evaluation: After the event, event managers conduct an evaluation to determine its success, collect feedback from attendees, analyse attendance and financial data, and review vendor performance. They also provide clients with post-event reports to review their clients’ users’ reactions and areas of focus for improving their event when it is planned for the next time.

Average Event Manager Salary

The salary varies depending on the person’s experience. person’s experience, where the person works, and what kind of event is being managed. People who work in a big city or for famous events can earn more money than those who work in a small region or manage a simple event. Here’s an overview of what the typical event manager’s salary is.

  • Entry-level Event Manager: An entry-level event manager is an individual with little experience who is just starting out. They are paid between £20,000 and £28,000 per year. The job involves working under a more experienced planner and gaining real experience.
  • Mid-Level Event Manager: Approximately £30,000-45,000 per year. With several years of experience, event managers are capable of organising more intricate events on their own. Some mid-level event managers plan corporate events and large-scale public events.
  • Senior Event Manager: Senior event managers working for significant clients or huge companies can earn between £50,000 and £70,000 a year. They might manage a team of event coordinators, oversee substantial events, or specialise in areas such as luxury weddings or corporate conferences.
  • Freelance Event Manager: Freelance event managers set their rates, and prices vary depending on the scale and complexity of the event. Freelancers may charge by the event, hour, or a flat fee. Annual earnings can range from £25,000 to £70,000 or more, depending on your reputation and client base.

Event Manager Skills

Event managers must possess various skills to solely plan, coordinate, and carry out events. This career role involves working with different types of people, multitasking, and making sure everything goes according to plan. These are the essential skills you need to become an event manager:

How to Become an Event Manager
  • Organisational skills: Event managers must be highly organised to manage an event’s moving parts. From checking in with speakers to ensure they’re on track with their presentations to ensuring that table decorations are where they should be in time for guests’ arrival, staying on top of things will help avoid mistakes and ensure the smooth sailing of the event.
  • Attention to detail: The minor details might not matter much in everyday life, but they can make or break an event. A good event manager can’t afford to let anything slip through the cracks: the seating plan, the menu choices, the order of the speakers, the timing between events—all must be perfect to allow attendees a good experience.
  • Time Management: Managing an event involves working under strict deadlines, which means effective time management is paramount to achieving all of the tasks on time. To accomplish this, an event manager needs to prioritise all tasks and be able to plan their time well.
  • Budgeting and Financial Management: Managing an event’s budget involves creating it, tracking expenses, and allocating resources to various aspects of the event, such as food, décor, transportation, etc. Event managers must negotiate with vendors to get the best prices while ensuring the event quality does not suffer.
  • Communication skills: Event managers must communicate with clients, vendors, staff, and attendees. Communication skills are essential to avoid confusion over each stage of the event project.
  • Problem-solving: No event goes off without a hitch, and event managers must be agile thinkers, ready to put out fires on the fly. Maybe an audio vendor is running late to the venue, or there’s a technical issue with the microphone from the beginning. Either way, an event manager must figure out how to keep things running smoothly.
  • Creativity: Events must be unique and memorable in some form to draw people to them and make them stand out. Coming up with creative ideas for themes, decorations, or how to keep attendees interested are the key skills event managers need to have to make their events a success.
  • Negotiation Skills: Event managers regularly negotiate contracts for their clients’ events, from catering to venue rentals to suppliers. Excellent negotiation skills help event managers obtain the best deals for their clients while negotiating within a budget.
  • Leadership and Team Management: Events managers often work with a team of staff, contractors, and volunteers, whom they need to be able to lead and motivate to ensure they work together and are all aware of their roles and responsibilities in order to deliver the event.
  • Tech Savviness: Technology is here to stay in the future of event management. From virtual events to event registration systems and digital marketing tools, today’s event managers must be comfortable with technology to manage event logistics, promote events, and build their personal brand and community using various digital channels.

Event Manager Tips

Here are some practical tips for budding event managers who want to have a successful career:

  • Start Small: As a beginner in event management, start with small events, such as birthdays, small community events, and small corporate events, to gain on-field experience and confidence before moving on to larger events.
  • Cultivate a Portfolio: Take pictures and videos of the corporate events you manage and save positive testimonials from clients. Presenting a portfolio with photos or videos of successful events will help you land your next job with potential employers or clients, demonstrating proven results.
  • Network: Networking is vital within the events industry. Attend industry conferences, join event planning associations, and meet other professionals. Cultivating a network of vendors, venues, and fellow event managers can lead to new opportunities and partnerships.
  • Keep Up With Trends: The events industry is constantly evolving, and you’ll want to keep up with the latest trends (new technology, décor styles, attendee engagement, etc.). Staying abreast of these trends will ensure that your clients have access to fresh and innovative ideas.
  • Gain experience in different event types: You may wish to become a specialist in a particular kind of event, but gaining experience in other types of events (corporate events, social events, charity events, and so on) will stand you in good stead and make you a more rounded event manager.
  • Get to Know Your Vendors Well: Having good working relationships with your vendors can be a great help in managing your events. Reliable vendors will work harder for you, offer you discounts, and give preference to your events, which can make the process of planning your events much easier.
  • Embrace Technology: Use event management software to help you plan and market your events. As technology advances, more software is available to help event planners stay organised, manage logistics, and sell their events more effectively. Use event registration platforms, digital marketing, and project management software to support your event planning efforts.
  • Get Certified: While college degrees aren’t always necessary, you can still get certifications for event management. Here are two examples: a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and a Diploma in Event Management.

Event Manager Requirements

There are no formal requirements for event management in the UK, although some qualifications and skills can help you to have a successful career in this field. Here’s a summary of the basic requirements for event manager work.

  • Education: A university degree is optional, but many event managers have an academic background in hospitality, business, marketing, or event management. Event management courses provide essential knowledge and skills for the field.
  • Certifications: Getting certified can boost your credibility and show potential clients or employers that you’ve taken the time to learn the professional side of the business. Certifications such as the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or Level 3 Diploma in Event Management are recognized within the industry and can help you stand out.
  • Experience: Practical experience is the key to becoming a successful event manager. Many event managers start their careers by volunteering for events, working in low-level positions as event coordinators or event assistants, and then gaining experience planning and executing events.
  • Skills: As has already been described, event managers require a diverse set of skills. These include organisational, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Such skills might be developed through experience, training, or formal education as part of an apprenticeship scheme.
  • Professional Networks: Build a list of contacts and a reputation. Join professional organisations such as the Meetings Industry Association (MIA) or Event Marketing Association (EMA) to connect with others in the industry; many of these professional networks allow you to broadcast your event-planning business to an audience of potential clients and also provide educational opportunities within events.

How to Become an Event Manager

Being an event manager means you will have to cultivate the right skills, acquire experience, and build your network of contacts. Here is a step-by-step guide to your career to help you start:

  • Get Relevant Education Or Training: Another option is to take a degree or diploma in event management, hospitality, marketing, or business at a college or university. If you can’t commit to formal education, get a certificate or take an online course that gives you some basics in event planning.
  • Practical Experience: Gain industry experience through internships, volunteering, or entry-level positions. Try working as an event coordinator, assistant, or venue manager to gain experience running events.
  • Build a Portfolio: Document your work by taking photos, gathering client testimonials, and showcasing your event management skills. A strong portfolio will help you stand out when applying for jobs or pitching to clients.
  • Develop a Specialisation: While it’s beneficial to have experience in various types of events, many event managers choose to specialise in a specific area, such as corporate events, weddings, or festivals. Specialising can help you build a niche and attract clients who are looking for expertise in a particular type of event.
  • Get Certified: While a college degree is only sometimes necessary for event planning roles, you can increase your marketability by earning event management certifications such as Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or the Diploma in Event Management.
  • Network: Attend events geared toward your industry and join associations that plan events, as well as associations of vendors, venues, and other professionals in the industry. Having a network of contacts will lead to more opportunities to work and to receive referrals from existing clients.
  • Technology: Learn the event management software and tools that can help you organise your work and make it easier for you. If you are planning a conference, fair, or any other event, you can use tools such as Eventbrite, Cvent, or any project management software to help you manage these logistics and promote your event.
  • Stay Updated: Events are an ever-moving target, so make sure you know what’s happening in the world of events. Keep up with trends in event technology, marketing, and attendee engagement by reading trade magazines, attending events and webinars, and ensuring your skills are up to date.

Get Qualified as an Event Manager

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should You Become an Event Manager?

As an event manager, you work in a dynamic, creative, and fast-paced environment and have the chance to organise various events, from weddings to corporate conferences. You bring people together to create special moments. It is a rewarding job for those who enjoy problem-solving, creativity, and working with people.

Is Being an Event Manager a Good Career Choice for You?

If you have good organisational skills, a creative mind, and prefer to juggle several tasks simultaneously, a career as an event manager could be the right choice. You need to be flexible, detailed, and able to handle pressure, making it a challenging but rewarding career for those with the right skills.

Event Manager Salaries

The salary for event managers depends on previous experience and the type of event managed. A new event manager may earn between £20,000 and £28,000 a year in the UK. But an event manager with experience can earn between £30,000 and £45,000 a year. A senior event manager or someone who manages a large event earns more than £50,000 a year.

Which Qualifications Can Help with a Career as an Event Manager?

While a formal degree isn’t required, event management, hospitality, business, or marketing qualifications can be advantageous. Certification, such as the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or Diploma in Event Management, can help you stand out and progress.

Do I Need to Be an Experienced Event Manager to Get Started?

No, formal experience is not a prerequisite; getting a job in event management is possible even if you have no prior experience. However, some event managers take an internship, a volunteering position, or an entry-level role to gain experience on the job, meet other professionals, and learn the tricks of the trade firsthand. This is also a way to begin your event career: many event managers start with small-scale events and gradually advance to a more complex and extensive organisation.

Event Manager Career Outlook

The need for event managers will continue to be strong as businesses, nonprofits, and individuals organise events from corporate conferences to weddings and festivals. This is especially true for event managers with digital and hybrid event experience, as the need for technology will only continue to grow.

Event Manager Hierarchy and Progressing Within the Role

Due to the nature of their work, event managers often start as assistant coordinators or assistants before progressing to more senior roles such as event managers, senior event managers, ers, or EV directors. After some time in the industry, some event managers decide to run their own events business or specialise in high-end or niche events.

Event Manager Exit Options and Opportunities

Event managers have many post-career opportunities, such as moving into related fields like marketing, public relations, or venue management, becoming consultants offering event planning advice and services, or moving into leadership positions within large event planning agencies or corporations.

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