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 principals will apply no matter how small or large the event being planned.
Event managers need to have a firm understanding of the event planned and the reasons for holding it: the What, Where, Why and Who?
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What type of event is to be held and what is the budget?
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Where is it to be held?
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Why is the event being held?
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Who is the event being held for, who are the supporters, and who is to be involved?
A well-managed event will meet the needs of its patrons. Private clients who use event managers to plan and implement their event will often have pre-set ideas on how the event should be run and may 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’s good enough’ is not good enough. Aim for excellence. Developing an excellent reputation is the best way to ensure ongoing work.
Event management also includes planning and organizing the supply of equipment, materials and services well ahead of time. Careful planning enables the use of alternative resources should any of these resources prove be to be difficult to obtain.
How Do I Get To Be an Event Manager?
Many event managers start out by setting up and running their own business on a small scale; and growing from there. Before starting out though; you need to understand what is involved, develop networks, and have a level of small business management skills.
Other event managers start out by working for a larger company that is continuously organising and running events: perhaps a concert promoter, an exhibition company or even a reception centre
What Can You Do to Make a Start?
Any or all of the following
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Get some experience volunteering to help with community events
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Join an Organisation (Anything from Church or Rotary club to a local Garden club) and offer to help with running a show or exhibition they operate.