What is it like working in event management?
Source: Guardian
According to our experts, if you want to get ahead in events management you’ll need the ability to keep level head when things go wrong, a stomach for seriously hard work and comfy shoes.
Martin Jack is managing director of event management company Think Different Events
Get stuck into events by volunteering — it is valuable experience and can lead to a job: Many event organisers, probably most, are always on the look out for volunteers to support their events. Obviously the larger ones such as the Olympic games, music and film festivals and so on are well known but within the business-to-business world there are a wide range of events such as conferences, product launches, award ceremonies and so on where on site and other support is required. I realise the term volunteer means you are offering your services for free, but by showing a willingness to support events, gaining valuable knowledge in the sector and so on you are putting yourself in the shop window when real and paid event jobs do become available — gaining valuable experience at the same time.
It’s important to manage your work load to avoid burning out: In our experience event organisation is very much like an exponential curve. It starts slowly and gradually and as the event nears the workload builds and builds until the event itself, when you are trying to appear calm on the outside but running about daft on the inside making sure everything is going well, if not you’re firefighting, and then before you know it the event is over. You don’t actually become relaxed, if anything you’re totally deflated with little energy left. If you don’t manage this properly with yourself and your team then you can burn out. If you don’t manage the pressure, you make bad decisions. If you make bad calls, you exert more pressure on yourself. Entering the events industry is not an easy option. It’s hard work no matter what role you have. The client expects a great event, the audience a quality experience and you are responsible for various aspects of this.
Make a name for yourself first before aiming for high-profile events: There are events where the great and the good are wined and dined and there is a great razzmatazz around the event. However this is the sexy aspect of the sector, one which a lot of people may aspire to. The reality is that you can only get so many people organising these events. I think people can improve their chances if they widen their scope initially, get that valuable experience, work up the career ladder and one day have a key role in the high profile events. It’s far too much of a risk to the project manager on these events to have staff who don’t have the experience.
Rob Davidson is a senior lecturer at the University of Westminster, where he runs a master’s degree in Conference and Events Management
Master’s degrees can help show you have a commitment to an events career: More and more graduates, in a wide range of subjects, are doing a master’s course in events management to get in-depth knowledge of the events industry, as well as a way of showing their commitment to a career in this business and making their job applications stand out above the others. A growing number of UK universities are offering such postgraduate courses and you can see a list of these on the Association for Events Management Education (AEME) website, since most UK universities offering events courses are members. If you decide to go ahead and study this subject, I would recommend that you get as much practical experience as possible during your studies — volunteering to help at events and so on. That will look good on your CV.
Networking is essential so get yourself out there: Networking is key to getting that first job (and subsequent jobs) in events, and that’s why we strongly recommend our students to join one of the industry associations so that they can meet and interact with events professionals at seminars, conferences and so on. Most of our students join the UK chapter of Meetings Professionals International and regularly attend functions and evening seminars run by that association. It’s not expensive for students — it costs €40 — and it gives them something else to put on their CVs that demonstrates their commitment to this industry.
Alan Newton is group supplier relations manager at meetings, events and communications company Grass Roots
Enjoy the event — but remember you’re at work: Don’t feel pressured into drinking. It is one thing associated with the event industry but it’s not an expectation. It’s important to retain your professional image and remember that you are still at work. If you’re concerned about having too much alcohol, then you need to consider your own willpower. We expect our staff to enjoy themselves but, at the same time, to remember they are representing the company and to behave in a professional, business-like manner.
What to do when things go wrong: What all these situations require is a calm and level head and an ability to methodically and logically look at the solutions. You need to provide your clients with the feeling of safety and assurance in your experience and expertise to deliver a suitable solution. Things go wrong all the time because we’re human and we work in a very human and people-orientated industry. It is always the manner in which issues and disasters are dealt with that leave their mark and your legacy.
Sarah Gordon is event manager for Thames Valley University
There are some skills a course can’t teach: I’m a huge advocate of education. I work in the education sector and think it is crucial, however, experience and key skills are just as — if not more — important. Particularly when working in events. Not many courses can teach patience, common sense, the ability to stay calm and collected when chaos swarms around you.
Glamour isn’t guaranteed — but this is a hugely rewarding job: The hours are long, your social life will disappear a little when you’re busy and it isn’t anywhere near as glamorous as people think — however, it is hugely rewarding and the benefits are immense. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in some fantastic events which are great fun and make it all worthwhile.
Justine Kane is an event management professional with more than 12 years experience. She joined us on behalf of Event Management Training
Having an unrelated background doesn’t have to be a hurdle: Lots of different backgrounds are considered for the industry. I have placed postgraduate students of mine with a physics background in roles. I think if you do have a degree, or have experience, in a different background it does help a lot to do a course in events so that you show you are serious about the transition and also that you have the knowledge. It would probably bode well for your own confidence in the area when in interviews and actually in a role so you feel like you know what you are talking about it. There are certain skills that a good event manager possesses (being organised, people person, flexible and so on) which can be transferable no matter the trained experience. Do not let this be a hurdle for you because it does not need to be.