CAREERS IN EVENT MANAGEMENT
Event Management is basically the management of an occasion that happens at a given time. Management of an event can be a complex and involved task; depending, of course, on the type and size of the event. Although extremely large events such as the Olympic Games require many years of preparation to succeed, the planning and preparation phase of any event will always require at least 60 - 80% of the total time involved in staging the event.The same principles will apply no matter how small or large the event being planned.
Events have become a way of life in today's society. They are used to recognise special occasions whether public or private. Most societies throughout the world use organised events as a form of expression, whether it is for public grief, private celebration, as a show of strength or solidarity, to welcome others and so on. As such, organised events can reflect a society's position in the world or demonstrate public opinion.Public response to incidents that occur in their own country or internationally may also instigate an organised event i.e. fund raising for a natural disaster.
Today in modern society organised events are also used to help create business image, launch products, and to celebrate milestones and change.
Events can be profound and moving i.e. inauguration of a country's new leader, as a mark of respect after disaster for loss of life through earthquakes, flood, war or other dramatic occurrence. They can be intimate and private i.e. a wedding, or a large public celebration i.e. federation, a coronation, independence etc.
Events whether large or small present an opportunity for a well organised
Event Manager to take a leading role.
Event Management
Event management includes organizing the supply of equipment, materials and services well ahead of time.
This enables:
- The use of alternatives should any of these prove be to be difficult to obtain.
- Marketing to be effective with a good 'lead in time'
- Advertising to be booked well in advance i.e. advertisers sell space many months before publication.
- People travelling from other cities or regions to organise their commitments and plan for accommodation, transport or any other needs with ample time.
Publicising the event is also important as it gives people the opportunity to attend by planning their lives around the event.A visually pleasing pamphlet or leaflet to promote the event will go a long way to encourage people to attend.
A well managed event needs to meet all the needs of its patrons and encourages attendance, well in advance of the event.
Private clients using event managers to plan and implement their event will often also have pre-set ideas on how it should be run or have very high expectations. They pay the Event Manager to ensure that all their ideas will work and the event lives up to their expectations. They may also expect the organiser to come up with a range of innovative and interesting ideas. This requires skills beyond those of an organisational and management nature.
An example may be a birthday party for a very wealthy client; the client may expect the Event Manager to show an extraordinary depth of imagination i.e. in the decorations used, the layout of the room, the menu planning and so on. The wealthy client may want the 'party to beat all parties'. Second best may not be good enough. It is wise for the event manager, irrelevant of the size and nature of the event, to use the approach: "That'll do" won't do!
Developing an excellent reputation is the best way to ensure ongoing work.
Event managers need to have a firm understanding of the event planned and the reasons for holding it: the What, Where, Why and Who?
- What type of event is to be held and what is the budget?
- Where is it to be held?
- Why is the event being held?
- Who is the event being held for, who are the supporters, and who is to be involved ?
Where to From Here?
You don't necessarily need to have formal training to be an event manager; but doing one or more relevant courses can help you get started and will often result in your career moving forward faster than it otherwise might have. A general foundation course (eg. Event Management -click for details) will give you a perspective on the industry andf help you better decide what aspects of event management most interest you. It can also help you see the pitfalls of this industry before you encounter them in a real life situation.
Another way to start may be to take a more "specialised" course, such as Wedding Planning
This type of course provides skills that may be used in most areas of event management; but can also provide an opportunity to perhaps start into the industry by commencing a small part time business (in this case -as a wedding planner).
EDUCATION IN GENERAL
If you already have experience and/or training in business or management, you may not need any more than a short professional development course to kick off a career in Event Management.
For most people though, a more substantial course of training will greatly enhance their chances of achieving a successful career.
ACS is a Vocational School and Technical School; offering Online Training Courses in Hospitality, Tourism, Business and Management. Learn about event management, by External Studies.
The following courses provide a series of options that would may provide a start for a career in this industry. Click on course for details
Event Management -Professional Development Course
Associate Diploma in Event Management
Other Useful Courses Might Be..
Leisure Management Degree (Distance Education through the UK)
Leisure Facility Management I
Leisure Facility Management II