Choosing Event Management as a Career

By Shubhra Bhardwaj

There are various options that youngsters today get to choose for a career. Every field is expanding and there are now courses that cater specifically to certain job requirements. Not only are these options different but also well paying, and satisfying.

It can be seen that over the last few years, the events industry has definitely gained momentum due to the constant drive by advertising and marketing campaigns. Event management gives you several opportunities to showcase your creative side. It involves visualization, creativity, meticulous planning, technical know-how and coordination.

With a lot of event agencies on the rise, most companies now go to event management agencies and experts to handle their events. Ensuring that every detail is taken cared for, from colour schemes to refreshments, to entertainment. It is almost like making a wish and having it granted by an event manager.

Essential Skills to be an Event Manager

In order to get into event management, an individual must be ready to explore various skills, and most importantly, use them. As per a recent study, it was discovered that you need 21 skill sets to be an event manager. To begin, one must be creative and have a flair for planning and organizing. It is extremely crucial to be passionate about it. Having a business acumen combined with good communication is always a plus point. Keeping the team motivated constantly is key, which is why it is important to be a team player with great leadership skills. Apart from foreseeing risk and crisis management abilities, you also should be able to withstand high-pressure situations and deliver results nonetheless. It is also imperative to stick within the budget the client has assigned and deliver the project accordingly.

Responsibilities of an Event Manager

The event management industry is an extremely demanding one. It is essential to be able to multitask, think on the feet and foresee problems and be able to fix them. Last but the not the least, an event manager must never forget the client’s vision and focus on meeting their needs. Being an extrovert always has an advantage over others because of their easy and outgoing nature. Making interpersonal interactions sometimes comes more naturally with extroverts, which is definitely a positive.

The following would be expected of you as an event manager:

• Development, production and delivery of projects
• Ensuring that all events are delivered well within the time frame and the clients budget
• Communicating, maintaining and developing client relationships
• Managing supplier relationships
• Managing operational and administrative functions
• Managing teams and motivating team
• Providing leadership and guidance
• Travelling for on-site inspections and project managing events
• Being responsible for all project budgets from start to finish
• Ensuring excellent service and quality delivery by meeting the client’s expectations

There is a lot of excitement that this industry provides as well; constantly meeting new people, dealing with different events, the travel and exposure is extremely attractive.

Event management sometimes sounds like such a glamorous career. With the travel, meeting more people, and the exposure you get, perhaps in a lot of ways it really is. They are no fixed style of events but could range from anything as small as meetings to large scale sporting events and concerts. Each day really brings something new to the table and you will find yourself learning on the job all the time. That being said, one must not forget about the pressure that this job brings as well. Events is a live space, whether small or large scale, which brings no room for mistakes, but requires an efficient and flawless delivery.

That being said, being an event planner is undoubtedly an exhausting job. A lot of time spent on the foot, constant planning and co-ordination while working in tandem with large groups of people at all times. This could include your client, vendors, workers, other departments and the works. Events will enhance your people management skills.

There may be constant glitches and situations coming up and one may have to deal with several people on the day of the event. So be prepared to work those really long hours.

This is one thing that everyone must remember, as an event manager; you are not attending the event as a guest but will constantly be working behind the scenes. So, it is not unusual for the event planner to not get a chance to even breathe on the day let alone sit down and enjoy a meal with the guests.

Overall, event management as a career is an extremely challenging and demanding but equally exciting option. So if you have an appetite for challenges and would love to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where no two projects are the same, a career in event management is definitely a viable option for you.

About The Author:

Founder and Creative Director of Ferriswheel Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., Shubhra Bhardwaj is currently based in Mumbai. She has over two decades of experience in managing large-scale events in the field of sports, performing arts & entertainment.