Event Management as a Career: Is It Right for You?

Following the pandemic, the event sector has seen a significant expansion, with projections suggesting that the industry's market value could reach $819.1 billion by 2035. This clear indication of events bouncing back with vitality is just one of the many reasons why pursuing a career in event management is becoming a strategic choice for numerous job hunters. Similarly, an increasing amount of startup entrepreneurs are showing a strong interest in exploring opportunities within this industry.

Whether you're fresh out of school and diving into the job market for the first time, or you're considering a complete career shift to event management, it's crucial to understand what this field is all about and how it aligns with your skills, interests, and long-term career aspirations. That's exactly what we're here to help you with today. Keep reading as we discuss all the essentials of event management as a career, from what it is to the tasks that you are likely to take as an event professional. 

What Is Event Management?

Event management is the planning, organizing, coordinating, and controlling of an event. It involves overseeing all the logistical, operational, and technical aspects to ensure the event runs smoothly and meets its objectives. Event management can be applied to a wide range of events, including conferences, conventions, concerts, festivals, weddings, and corporate functions.

Is Event Management a Good Career?

Whether event management is a good career for you can depend on a variety of factors, including your interests, skills, and what you're looking for in a career. 

To help you further understand an event management career and asses yourself about taking this as a profession, make sure to keep reading. Below, we discuss the duties involved, an event planner’s must-have qualities, and the advantages and disadvantages of being in the field. 

Event Planner Duties: Event Management To-Do List

From initial brainstorming sessions to post-event analysis, understanding the duties involved in event management is a crucial first step in assessing whether event management is the right career for you. 

Here is a list that highlights the primary responsibilities of an event planner in producing events for further reference:

1. Determine the concepts, themes, and objectives of the event.
2. Create a detailed budget projection, keep track of expenses, and adjust the budget as necessary.
3. Research, visit, and inspect potential venues.
4. Connect with necessary vendors (caterers, decorators, AV technicians, etc.) and finalize contracts with them.
5. Plan the layout of the event space.
6. Arrange transportation and accommodation for guests, if necessary.
7. Ensure all materials and equipment are delivered and set up on time.
8. Develop a marketing plan and create promotional materials (invitations, posters, social media posts).
9. Manage attendee and speaker lists and communications.
10. Plan content and activities that align with the event's objectives.
11. Ensure the event complies with all relevant laws and regulations.
12. Plan for health, safety, and emergency procedures.
13. Manage staff and volunteers.
14. Handle on-site check-ins, attendee inquiries, and any issues that arise during the event.
15. Gather feedback from attendees, vendors, and stakeholders and analyze results.

Must-Have Qualities of an Event Planner

Like in other professions, there are certain traits that set apart a successful event planner. Keep reading as we share these qualities with you and discuss them one by one. If you find that these traits match your own or someone describes you this way, pursuing a career in event planning might be a good fit for you. 

1. Proficient in Communication

Being proficient in communication ensures everyone involved in event planning is informed and aligned, avoiding misunderstandings that may affect the event negatively. It's also key to fully grasp what the client wants, allowing you to meet or even surpass their expectations. Strong communication abilities are vital for fostering and maintaining relationships with suppliers and other professionals within the industry as well. 

2. Organized 

Event planning requires handling many responsibilities simultaneously, including securing locations, collaborating with suppliers, and overseeing attendee lists. With all the responsibilities you have to juggle in managing events, organizational skill proves to be essential. Having organizational skills helps in efficiently prioritizing these responsibilities, setting achievable deadlines, and ensuring that every detail of the event is ready ahead of time.

3. Problem-Solver 

Imagine you're organizing a corporate event, a wedding, or a charity gala, and unexpected issues pop up, which they almost inevitably will, do you think you've got what it takes to tackle them head-on? Whatever the issue is, you, as an effective event planner, need to be quick to identify the problem, think of solutions, and implement them seamlessly to keep the event on track. Without these problem-solving skills, you risk the event falling apart, leading to unhappy attendees and potentially substantial losses in both revenue and reputation.

4. Financially Wise

If you really aim to become an event planner, it's crucial for you to possess financial wisdom to successfully run events within the allocated budget. This helps you reduce financial risks and maintain a profitable event management company. What’s more, managing events within the budget can help establish you and your firm as reliable and efficient in the eyes of clients and partners.

5. Skilled Networker

Mastering the art of networking is a non-negotiable part of becoming an event planner. It opens up access to valuable resources and opportunities to connect with other respected professionals within the industry. Having a talent for networking can also help enhance your reputation in the field, thereby boosting your business's potential for success.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Events

Event management certainly has its unique set of benefits and drawbacks. Here, we list and discuss briefly the top advantages and disadvantages of being an event planner.

Advantages

1. No two events are the same, offering variety in work settings, clients, and event types.
2. Regular interaction with a wide range of professionals, vendors, and clients helps in building an extensive network.
3. Seeing an event come together successfully after extensive planning and hard work can be highly rewarding.
4. Many event planners have the flexibility to set their own schedules, especially if they work independently.

Disadvantages

1. Event planning is often ranked as one of the most stressful jobs due to tight deadlines and the need for perfection. In 2023, it ranked as the third-most stressful job in the world.
2. Preparing for events can require long hours, weekend work, and being on call 24/7 as the event date approaches. As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, many event planners work for more than 40 hours a week, often working additional hours to finalize preparations for major events.
3. Clients can have high and sometimes unrealistic expectations, which can be challenging to manage.
4. No matter how well an event is planned, unexpected issues can arise. 
5. For those running their own event planning business, there can be significant financial risks involved, especially when starting out.

Can I Pursue Event Management Without a Degree?

Pursuing a career in event management does not strictly require a degree, opening the field to diverse individuals with various backgrounds and experiences. However, having a degree related to events management, like a hospitality degree, definitely comes with an advantage. 

The advantage of having a degree related to event management comes from specialized knowledge, industry-specific skills, and a comprehensive understanding of the principles of event planning, customer service, and business management. Additionally, having a relevant degree can enhance your credibility with potential employers and clients, leading to more opportunities and a more successful career in the competitive event management industry.

Boost Event Management With StaffConnect - Your All-In-One Event Management Software

In the current event planning industry, it's crucial not just to be clever in your planning, but also efficient to keep up with the competition. One effective strategy to do this is by employing event management software. This software is a critical asset that simplifies and combines various aspects of event organization, such as planning, carrying out, and evaluating events. 

If event management software sounds like an app that can help you achieve your goals in the events industry, StaffConnect is one to check out. StaffConnect is a software crafted to simplify event management through automation, which saves time and allows you to concentrate on creating engaging and memorable experiences for your attendees. It can support a wide range of events, from business meetings to music festivals, highlighting its importance in the ever-evolving field of event organization. Key features of StaffConnect include easy staff onboarding, calendar integration, a centralized database, a communication hub, and GPS check-in and check-out functionality, among others.

Ready to experience more efficient event planning than ever before? Schedule your free demo with StaffConnect today and discover how!