I Want to Work in … Events Management

 

What is an event?

dancing 'gatorsIt could be:

 

or many other things - even a graduate recruitment fair!

What do event managers do?

 

PROFILE: Events Manager

INVOLVES: Sales, marketing to potential exhibitors & customers, selecting venues, event co-ordination - liaising with caterers, contractors & stand designers, publicising events, public relations.
EMPLOYERS: Exhibition organising companies. Conference & exhibition venues. Large companies employing in-house staff.
RELATED JOBS: conference organiser, public relations executive, marketing executive, hotel manager.
SATISFACTIONS: Achieving your objectives - organising a successful exhibition. Variety
NEGATIVES: Working to tight deadlines - stressful.
SKILLS: spoken & written communication, persuading, organising & planning, decision making, negotiating.
DEGREE: Any degree subject accepted - business-related degree useful.
VACANCY SOURCES: Careers Service Vacancy Lists, Guardian, Exhibitions Bulletin
TIPS: Very competitive to enter. Vacancies largely depend on the state of the economy but are usually few. Organising events whilst at University provides useful experience. Personal contacts are important - talk to exhibition organisers & visit exhibitions. Make speculative applications.

For a more detailed description see the Prospects Occupational Profile - Event Organiser for a description of the role and tasks involved

How do I get into events management?

  • Conference: The confusion of one person multiplied by the number present.
  • Conference Room: A place where everybody talks, nobody listens & everybody disagrees.
  • Diplomacy: the art of letting someone have your own way.
  • After all is said and done, more is usually said than done.

There is no one way in, but you are unlikely to find a “graduate training scheme” in events management. Typical routes might be through:

Whatever route you choose, be prepared to start at the bottom – there are many opportunities for enthusiastic and flexible people to progress. Any relevant experience is worthwhile, even bar work or waiting on tables. Take any opportunity you can to gain experience of organising events on a small scale through University activities such as Rag or JCCs.

Companies

Recruitment Agencies

These can be helpful but should not be relied upon to find you a job – you will need to be proactive and make speculative applications. Usually, they will expect candidates to have relevant skills (especially office/secretarial skills) and/or experience. For guidelines on using recruitment agencies and a listing of more generalist agencies, go to www.kent.ac.uk/careers/recruit.htm

Trade Associations

Publications and Other Useful Sites

Courses

 

Last fully updated 2012